Spousal Sponsorship PPT. Name Change Husband’s Surname

[Sukhbir Singh]

I am a permanent resident of Canada. I got married in February 2020 and currently stuck in India due to travel restrictions. During my stay in India, I thought all the documents which are required to sponsor my wife to Canada should be ready so we can save time. She is not able to renew her passport to change her last name. Passport offices are not fully functional in our area of Punjab, India. She has her passport valid till July 2029. Is it mandatory to change last name on her passport?

[Bavneet (Admin)]

No. It is not mandatory to change or add spouse name on Indian passport while applying for spousal sponsorship application. You can provide IRCC with alternative documents to prove your marital relationship. You can submit:

Letters, printed text messages, emails, social media conversations, other documents proof of contact

Proof of visits to each other, airline tickets, passport pages, boarding pass

Proof of joint property, bank account, Joint utility accounts, life insurance, vehicle insurance

Copies of government issued documents showing same residential information

Other jointly held accounts such as phone bills, credit card statements, tax forms etc.

For further information read checklist IMM 5533 on IRCC website.