How to Sponsor a Spouse From China

Are you considering sponsoring a Chinese spouse whom you've fallen in love with? Sponsoring a Chinese citizen to live in Canada can be a complex process, best handled by an immigration lawyer experienced in this area.

Marrying a Chinese Citizen

It's important to note that the Chinese government discourages its citizens from moving to other countries. If you wish to sponsor or marry a Chinese citizen, you'll need to apply for official permission from the Chinese government. Additionally, you must demonstrate that your spouse is not currently married to anyone else. In the case of divorce, you'll need to provide proof of the finalized process to the Chinese government.

Bringing Your Chinese Partner to Canada

To bring your Chinese partner to live with you in Canada, you must file a sponsorship application for your spouse. While waiting for the application process to complete, your partner may also apply for a visitor visa to visit you in Canada.

Bring Your Spouse to Canada


Here's how we can help you:

  • Formulate a strategy based on your particular circumstances.
  • Collect and review supporting documentation to sufficiently establish the genuineness of your relationship.
  • Prepare you and your spouse or partner for any requested interviews.
  • Provide expert legal submissions in support of your application.
  • Communicate with the immigration authorities on your behalf to ensure you don’t miss anything, which could lead to significant delays.

If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer for spousal sponsorship, Matthew Jeffery has over 20 years of experience and specializes in handling spousal sponsorships with high success rates. To see if you qualify for spousal sponsorship, fill out our FREE Sponsorship Assessment form.

Basic Requirements for Chinese Marriage

In order for Chinese-Canadian couples to acquire a Chinese marriage certificate, certain documents must be provided:

Chinese Partner:

  • Certificate of birth
  • Certificate of marriageability
  • Health certificate
  • Household registration book (Hukou)
  • Letter from the parents of the Chinese partner

Canadian Partner:

  • Current passport
  • Certificate of marriageability
  • Health certificate
  • Chinese resident permit
  • Three photos of the couple taken together
  • Dependent Children with Your Chinese Spouse

If your Chinese partner has independent children, it will not affect the application for Chinese Marriage Document. However, if you have dependent children, you'll need to prove that you can meet their basic financial needs. Additionally, to sponsor your children to Canada, they must meet certain requirements, such as being under 22 years of age, not married or in a common-law relationship.

Effects of "Fake" Spousal Immigration Sponsorship

It's important to note that some individuals may attempt to fake a relationship to bring their Chinese partners into Canada for personal gain. However, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is vigilant in detecting such cases. If it is determined that your relationship is not genuine, your application for permanent residency will be refused.

Duration of Chinese Sponsorship Document

Typically, it takes approximately 39 days for the IRCC to verify your eligibility as a sponsor for someone currently outside Canada. The processing time for the sponsored person's application depends on their location and can range from 8 to 41 months, with most offices processing applications in under 16 months. For a Chinese sponsorship document, the processing time may be around 12 months.

Sponsorship Responsibilities

As a sponsor, you are committed to taking care of your spouse while they settle in Canada. As part of the application process, you must complete two forms: the Sponsorship Undertaking, which is a legal pledge to provide for your sponsored partner and any dependent children, and the Sponsorship Agreement, which is a legal agreement between the sponsor and the spouse, covering any dependent children.

We Can Help You Sponsor Your Spouse from China to Canada

Sponsoring a spouse from China to Canada is a complex and time-consuming process. It is crucial to seek the right legal representation to navigate the process successfully. At the Law Office of Matthew Jeffery, we specialize in spousal sponsorship immigration and have a high success rate in helping individuals sponsor their spouse or partner to Canada.

Please note that this is a sample rewrite and not an exhaustive revision. It's important to consult with an immigration lawyer for accurate and up-to-date information on spouse sponsorship from China to Canada.

FAQ: Sponsoring a Chinese Spouse from China to Canada