El Salvador to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Last updated: January, 2026
Are you planning to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from El Salvador to Canada? While El Salvador does not require any extra IRCC forms, the country does have two strict document requirements that often create delays: all civil documents must be government-certified true copies, and the marriage certificate must come specifically from the Alcaldía Municipal (Registro Civil). Missing either of these frequently results in document re-requests.
Based on IRCC’s El Salvador instructions and the most common El Salvador-specific pitfalls, here is exactly what you need to prepare to avoid preventable delays.
With El Salvador, the strongest applications are the ones that respect IRCC’s strict document-format expectations: government-certified true copies only, marriage certificates issued directly by the Alcaldía Municipal (Registro Civil), and clean certified translations for any non-English/French document.
Between 2016 and 2025, our Toronto immigration consultants assisted 68 clients from El Salvador, so we’ve seen exactly where Salvadoran applications tend to encounter problems—and how to prevent them. 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
El Salvador has no additional mandatory forms for residents. Standard IRCC forms apply unless your situation requires something special.
El Salvador – document instructions
Government-certified true copies required
All official documents from El Salvador must be submitted as government-certified true copies, meaning:
- they are certified as authentic by the government office that issued them
- they include the proper signature and official seal
Photocopies, notary-stamped copies, or uncertified civil registry extracts are not accepted.
Marriage certificate requirement
If you were married in El Salvador, IRCC requires a marriage certificate issued specifically by the:
- Alcaldía Municipal (Registro Civil)
Certificates issued by churches, courts, parishes, or non-registry offices do not meet IRCC requirements and will result in a delay.
The Hidden Hurdle
Document Authenticity & Source
The most common El Salvador-linked delay comes from applicants submitting documents that look official but were not issued by the correct authority.
To avoid this:
- Always obtain documents directly from the government office that issued the original record.
- Do not rely on uncertified copies or versions issued for local purposes only.
- Check the seal—IRCC officers must be able to verify authenticity.
This applies to birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce records, and any civil status documents.
Translation Requirements
If any document is not in English or French, you must include:
- the original (government-certified true copy)
- a certified translation
Ensure that:
- names, dates, and document numbers match exactly
- accents and spelling are consistent across originals and translations
Small discrepancies can cause avoidable clarifications.
Biometrics
Biometrics (fingerprints + photo) are typically required after you submit the application.
You must wait for IRCC to issue a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) before attending an appointment.
