| Many Canadian citizens marry a foreign fiancee in | | | | must submit an application for permanent residence. |
| Canada even though they are not legally resident | | | | Your spouse's previous immigration violation will be |
| there. Prior to 2005, it was against the law to | | | | overlooked, however if your husband or wife is |
| sponsor your foreign spouse if he/she was illegally | | | | deemed inadmissible to Canada their application will be |
| resident in Canada. A change to public policy on illegal | | | | refused and they will not be able to appeal against |
| immigrants who were legally married to Canadian | | | | the decision. Inadmissibility will result in your partner |
| citizens or permanent residents of Canada now | | | | being deported. |
| allows the spouse to be sponsored regardless of | | | | If your spouse falls under any of the following |
| their immigration status. | | | | categories he/she will be deemed inadmissible to |
| If your husband or wife lives illegally in Canada, he | | | | Canada: |
| she must correct the problems with their illegal status | | | | - Convicted of human rights violations |
| before you apply to sponsor him/her. The first step | | | | - Seen as a threat to Canada's security |
| is to apply for a temporary residence permit. The | | | | - Has a serious criminal record for which they |
| application is available from Citizenship and | | | | received a jail sentence of at least 10 years |
| Immigration Canada. Once completed it should be | | | | - Have an inadmissible family member |
| mailed along with proof of fee payment and | | | | - Involved in organized crime |
| supporting documents to the Case Processing Centre | | | | - Health threat to the Canadian population |
| (CPC) in Vegreville, Alberta. | | | | If your spouse leaves Canada before his/her |
| If temporary residence is denied, your spouse can | | | | permanent residence visa and sponsorship agreement |
| apply for consideration on humanitarian and | | | | is granted he/she may not be granted entry back |
| compassionate grounds. Once temporary residence | | | | into Canada. In this case, your spouse will have to |
| has been granted, you can apply for sponsorship for | | | | reapply for Canada permanent residence from the |
| your spouse by submitting a sponsorship application | | | | country they reside in. This process can take up to a |
| to Citizenship and Immigration Canada; your spouse | | | | year and sometimes longer. |