Sponsoring a Spouse From Syria


If you are getting married to a Syrian citizen with the intention of bringing them to live with you in Canada, you need to go through the spousal sponsorship application process. Your spouse/partner may need to apply for a visitor visa in order to live with you in Canada while the sponsorship application is still being processed. Consult a professional if you are unsure about anything in the process of applying for sponsorship.

What Do You Need to Marry a Syrian?

To marry a Syrian citizen, you need to prove eligibility to the government authorities by providing a proof of country of birth, proof of single status and proof that you’ve met the age requirement. For you to get a Syrian marriage certificate, you need to provide a number of documents including the spouse’s photocopy of Syrian ID and marriage license from the relevant recruitment section. If you marry in Canada, you can submit your Canadian marriage certificate when applying to sponsor the Syrian citizen. If you marry in Syria, you will have to get your Syrian marriage certificate and have it translated to English. The translation must be notarized.

Getting a Syrian Marriage Visa

In order to qualify for a Syrian marriage visa, you must present a number of documents such as your passport, 2 colored passport photos and 2 completed and signed visa forms (one for each couple). There are other documents that may be required where applicable. For instance, if you are currently employed, you need to submit a letter from your employer with details of employment including the current position. Students will need to provide a letter from the university or a photocopy of the university ID card.

How to Ensure Your Application for Spousal Sponsorship Canada is Approved

The process of getting married to a Syrian spouse can be complex and speaking to a professional can help to ease the bureaucracy involved. If you plan on immigrating to Canada with your Syrian spouse, you need to consult with an immigration lawyer who can facilitate the process. From making sure your documents are properly translated by a licensed agency to helping you collect supporting documents that prove your relationship is genuine, an immigration lawyer will increase the chances of your application being approved.

Many spousal sponsorship applications are denied because applicants have answered questions incorrectly on the application forms. If you do not understand what a question means on the application, it’s always good to ask for help. Placing irrelevant or incorrect information can cause the immigration officers to return or even reject your application.

For instance, you need to know who can be listed as a dependent for the purpose of sponsorship application in Canada. Just because someone depends on you financially doesn’t mean that they can be considered as a dependent when applying for sponsorship. A lawyer will take you through the important rules that also apply to Syrian applicants. This will help you to save time and money by avoiding paying duplicate fees for forms that will eventually be returned.

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