Spousal Immigration Interview Experience for Canada: A Complete A-to-Z Guide

The spousal interview for Canada immigration is an essential step in the visa application process for those applying under a spousal or family sponsorship program. The main purpose of this interview is for immigration officers to assess the authenticity of the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. In this article, Phan Immigration shares detailed insights and helpful advice to help you succeed in your Canada spousal immigration interview.

Cases That Require a Spousal Immigration Interview for Canada

Not all Canada spousal or common-law sponsorship applications require an interview. IRCC may request a spousal interview to clarify certain information or assess the authenticity of the relationship in the following situations:

• The sponsor was previously sponsored to immigrate to Canada by a former spouse or common-law partner.
• Either the sponsor or the sponsored applicant has gone through multiple divorces.
• The relationship between the sponsor and the applicant has not lasted long, especially if the couple has only known or lived together for a short time.
• There is insufficient reliable evidence to prove the genuineness of the spousal or common-law relationship.

Documents and Items to Prepare Before the Interview

If you are requested to attend a spousal interview for Canada immigration, you will need to bring certain documents and materials, organized in the correct order, complete, and neatly arranged as follows:

Required Forms and Applications

• Original completed Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (Form IMM 1344), signed by both the sponsor and the applicant.
• Original completed Sponsorship Evaluation (Form IMM 1283), unless the sponsor resides in Quebec (in which case this form is not required).
• Original Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (Form IMM 5409) if the spouses are living together but not legally married.
• Original Sponsor Questionnaire (Form IMM 5540), signed by the sponsor.
• Copy of the payment receipt for the application fee if the sponsor is currently residing outside of Canada.

Police Clearance Certificates

• Original Police Clearance Certificate No. 2 issued by the Department of Justice in the province or city where your household registration is recorded.
• Good Conduct Certificate or Police Check from any country where you have lived for 6 months or more prior to coming to Canada.

Civil Status Documents for the Sponsored Applicant

• Marriage Certificate / Divorce Certificate / Death Certificate (if applicable) / Legal Guardianship Certificate / Adoption Certificate.
• National ID card and Birth Certificates of all individuals listed in the immigration application (submit the National ID only if available).
• Household registration book.

Documents Proving Regular Contact Between the Couple

You are also required to provide documents that demonstrate ongoing communication between the spouses for the spousal interview for Canada immigration, including:

• All phone bills of both the sponsor and the sponsored person for the past 12 months.
• Videos/photos of the couple taken at various times throughout the relationship.
• Photos from the engagement or wedding ceremony (if applicable).
• Original copies of letters or correspondence between the couple over different periods of their relationship.
• Original money transfer receipts from the sponsor (if applicable).
• Documents proving that the sponsor visited the sponsored person in Vietnam, such as flight/train tickets, visa copies, and passport pages showing entry and exit stamps.

Educational Degrees and Certificates of the Applicant and Accompanying Dependents

In cases where the sponsored person and accompanying dependents are 22 years of age or older, you must also include:

• Academic transcripts from secondary and post-secondary education (if available).
• Valid certificates or diplomas for the above educational programs.

Additional Documents to Note

You should also prepare the following supplementary documents:

• Passport valid for at least one year from the date of the interview, or documents proving previous travel to Canada (if any)
• A copy of the sponsor’s Canadian immigration or residency document (if applicable).

Note: All documents presented at the interview must be original, legally valid, and accompanied by a certified English or French translation. Dependents under 18 years old are not required to attend the spousal interview for Canada immigration.

Common Interview Questions for Spousal Immigration to Canada

The purpose of the spousal interview for Canada immigration is to verify the authenticity of the relationship between you and your sponsor. Below is a list of common questions you may be asked during the interview process.

Questions About the Development of the Relationship

1. When and where did you first meet?
2. What was your first impression of your partner?
3. How long after your first meeting did you start dating?
4. How did you usually communicate during the early stages of your relationship?
5. Did you know each other before meeting in person?
6. When did you first meet your partner’s family?
7. Can you share a memorable moment from the early days of your relationship?
8. How long were you in a relationship before deciding to get married?
9. After deciding to marry, how long did you live together before the official wedding (if applicable)?
10. Did anyone ever oppose your relationship?

How to Answer:  When responding to these questions, it’s important to be detailed and specific. Try to recall and share honest memories about your relationship — from the first time you met to your future plans together. Clear and coherent answers help immigration officers gain a complete understanding and build trust in the genuineness of your relationship.

Questions About Interaction and Compatibility Between the Couple

During the spousal interview for Canada immigration, you will be asked questions regarding your interaction and compatibility as a couple. These questions help immigration officers assess the level of understanding and similarity between you and your partner.

1. What are some common issues that you and your partner disagree on?
2. How do you usually resolve conflicts in your relationship?
3. Do you and your spouse share similar interests or hobbies?
4. What do you typically do together on weekends or during your free time?
5. How would you describe your communication with your spouse?
6. Who usually makes the important decisions in your relationship?
7. Do you both spend time individually apart from each other?
8. How do you and your spouse seek support when facing major challenges in the relationship?
9. Do you and your spouse regularly make long-term plans together?
10. Do you often share small, everyday matters with each other?

How to Answer: When answering these questions, you should demonstrate a deep understanding of your spouse and the harmony between you two. Highlight why you chose to marry your partner despite cultural or national differences, and describe the activities and interests you both enjoy together. This will help prove that your relationship is built on genuine emotional connection and compatibility, not just superficial or formal reasons.

Questions About Important Milestones in the Relationship

Ceremonies and major milestones are strong indicators of a genuine relationship. Immigration officers may ask about these events to better understand your level of commitment and emotional connection.

• When did you and your partner decide to get married?
• How did your partner propose to you?
• Did your family and friends attend the wedding?
• After deciding to get married, how long did you live together?
• When was your first trip or vacation together?
• Can you share a special trip that you and your partner took together?
• Besides the wedding, did you celebrate with any other party or special event?
• Do you and your partner celebrate special occasions like anniversaries or the day you first met?
• When did you start thinking about a long-term future with your partner?
• Do you and your partner have special memories during major holidays like Lunar New Year or Christmas?

How to Answer: You should provide clear and specific details about key events and milestones in your relationship. Describe your wedding, honeymoon, any cultural or religious ceremonies you both participated in, and other memorable experiences. This helps immigration officers build trust in the authenticity and long-term nature of your relationship.

Questions About Daily Life

During the spousal interview for Canada immigration, you may be asked some questions related to your daily life as a couple, such as:

• Can you describe a typical day in your life together?
• Who usually does the cooking in your household?
• Do you often collaborate or work together on any projects or tasks?
• Who generally makes important decisions in your family?
• Do you share household chores or take care of children (if any) together?
• Do you have any plans for the near future?
• Do you often participate in social activities together?
• Have you ever done sports or outdoor activities together?
• Do your daily routines change frequently?
• Can you share some special occasions that you usually spend together?

How to Answer: The couple simply needs to clearly and specifically describe their connection in daily life. Provide concrete examples of your routines, responsibilities, and activities that you and your spouse share. This helps immigration officers understand the level of harmony and mutual support in your everyday relationship.

Questions About the Relationship With Each Other’s Families

The relationship with both families plays a key role in helping immigration officers assess the bond between a married couple. During the spousal interview for Canada immigration, you should be prepared for questions about how you and your spouse interact with each other’s families, such as:

• When did you first meet your spouse’s family?
• Do you often attend large family gatherings together?
• How would you describe your relationship with your spouse’s family?
• Have you or your spouse ever had disagreements or conflicts with each other’s family?
• Can you share a memorable moment you had with your spouse’s family?
• Do you regularly take part in important family events such as birthdays, memorials, or traditional holidays?
• What is the relationship like between your family and your spouse’s family?
• Have you and your spouse ever had to resolve conflicts between both sides of the family?
• Do you and your spouse share responsibilities in caring for both families?
• Do you plan to visit both sides of the family at least once a year?

How to Answer: When responding to questions about family, be honest, specific, and detailed. Mention when and where you met your spouse’s family and describe how you interact with them, including any stepchildren if applicable. These details help immigration officers see the warmth and harmony within your extended family relationships, contributing positively to the outcome of your interview.

Important Notes for Attending a Canada Spousal Immigration Interview

The success of your spousal immigration interview to Canada depends on multiple factors. In addition to preparing all required documents, it is essential that you are mentally prepared. This is crucial, as it greatly influences whether the consular officer will approve your application for permanent residence.

Even if your application is strong, appearing nervous, hesitating, or providing incorrect answers during the interview can raise concerns and lead officers to doubt your reasons for immigrating to Canada.

We hope the information provided by Phan Immigration helps you better understand the spousal interview process. Remember, the most important thing is to express your relationship with your sponsor sincerely and consistently. We wish you a smooth and successful interview on your journey to settling in Canada.