Chile to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Last updated: January, 2026
Are you planning to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from Chile to Canada? While Chile does not require extra IRCC forms, Chilean applicants must follow a few very specific document rules—especially for marriage certificates and the mandatory background documents required for Chilean passport holders.
Based on IRCC’s Chile instructions and the most common Chile-specific pitfalls, here is exactly what you need to prepare to avoid preventable delays.
With the correct civil registry documents, complete background certificates, and accurate translations, Chile-based sponsorship applications can move forward smoothly with fewer clarification requests.
Between 2016 and 2025, our Toronto immigration consultants assisted 115 clients from Chile, so we know exactly where Chile-based applications tend to get stuck—and how to prevent it. If you’d like a full overview of spouse sponsorship Canada, you can just book a consultation with our Canadian immigration representatives. Also, you can check our Immigration Consultant Cost.
Country-Specific Documents
Additional forms for residents
There are no extra IRCC forms required for residents of Chile.
Chile – document instructions
Marriage certificates issued in Chile
If the principal applicant and sponsor were married in Chile, you must submit:
- a printed marriage certificate issued by the Chilean civil registry
(online or unofficial extracts are not accepted)
Mandatory background documents for Chilean passport holders
If the principal applicant holds a Chilean passport, they (and all family members included in the application) must provide:
- “Certificado de Antecedentes para Fines Especiales”
- “Hoja de Vida del Conductor”
– required even if the applicant has never been issued a driver’s licence
These documents must be obtained in person at a local civil registry office in Chile.
The Hidden Hurdle
Police & Background Documentation Timing
Because Chilean background documents must be collected in person, applicants living abroad often face delays.
To avoid processing slowdowns:
- arrange for a trusted representative in Chile to obtain the documents, or
- plan travel early enough to request the documents in person
These documents are frequently re-requested when copies are incomplete, expired, or missing signatures/stamps.
Translation Requirements
If any Chilean document is not in English or French, include:
- the original document, plus
- a certified translation
Names, dates, and document numbers must match exactly between the original and translation to avoid clarification requests.
