Everything you need to know about the Canada spouse sponsorship application process — eligibility criteria, required documents, processing times, and expert tips for a successful application.
12–24 months
Typical Processing Time
~$1,080 CAD
Government Fees
3 years
Undertaking Period
None
Minimum Income Required
Spouse sponsorship is a Canadian immigration program under the Family Class that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence. It is one of the most accessible routes to Canadian PR for foreign nationals who are married to or in a committed relationship with a Canadian.
The program is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet specific eligibility criteria, and the couple must demonstrate that their relationship is genuine.
Whether you are applying from inside Canada (inland) or from outside Canada (outland), this guide explains the complete Canada spouse sponsorship step-by-step process so you can apply with confidence.
If the person being sponsored lives outside Canada, the application normally follows the outland route. Country-specific document availability, police certificates, translations, and visa-office procedures may affect preparation. Review the relevant immigration guide alongside this sponsorship process:
Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet the following requirements.
Spousal sponsorship video and visual guide
Watch the short overview, then follow the ten stages from confirming the relationship category and choosing the right class to permanent residence confirmation.
Spousal sponsorship step 1
Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Act and permanent residents may be able to sponsor an eligible spouse or partner for permanent residence. The sponsor and applicant must meet the applicable requirements.
Spousal sponsorship step 2
A spouse must be legally married to the sponsor. A common-law partner must generally have lived with the sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Conjugal partner applications have narrower requirements and apply to partners living outside Canada.
Spousal sponsorship step 3
Family Class and the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class serve different situations. The correct route depends on where the applicant lives, whether the couple lives together in Canada and whether travel or appeal rights may matter.
Spousal sponsorship step 4
Use the current IRCC forms and personalized document checklist. Typical evidence includes identity and civil-status documents, photos that meet IRCC specifications, police certificates when requested and evidence supporting the relationship.
Spousal sponsorship step 5
IRCC assesses whether the relationship is genuine and was not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Relevant evidence may include the relationship history, cohabitation, shared finances, travel, communications and support from family or friends.
Spousal sponsorship step 6
The sponsorship and permanent residence applications are generally submitted together through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal. Upload the requested forms and documents, pay the applicable fees and review every answer before submitting.
Spousal sponsorship step 7
IRCC may issue an Acknowledgment of Receipt after receiving the application. It assesses sponsor eligibility and continues processing the permanent residence application, contacting the parties if more information is needed.
Spousal sponsorship step 8
The sponsored person and accompanying family members must follow IRCC instructions for biometrics, immigration medical examinations and admissibility checks. Requirements and timing depend on the individual file.
Spousal sponsorship step 9
IRCC reviews the relationship evidence, sponsor eligibility and applicant admissibility. Respond completely and on time if IRCC requests clarification, documents or an interview.
Spousal sponsorship step 10
If approved, IRCC provides instructions to confirm permanent residence. Depending on the applicant’s location and citizenship, this may involve an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence, a COPR document and, when required, a permanent resident visa.
The correct class and evidence depend on where you live, your immigration status, relationship history, previous applications and any admissibility concerns.
Missing documents are the most common cause of delays and refusals. Use this checklist to ensure your application package is complete.
All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Do not send originals unless specifically requested by IRCC.
Processing times for spouse sponsorship in Canada depend on whether you apply inland or outland, the visa office processing your application, and the completeness of your submission.
12–24 months
Processed at the visa office in the sponsored person's home country. The sponsored person can travel freely during processing.
12–24 months
Sponsored person stays in Canada during processing. May be eligible for an open work permit. Cannot easily leave Canada without risking the application.
* Processing times are estimates based on IRCC data and may change. Check the official IRCC website for current times.
Expert advice from RSTM Immigration's licensed consultants to maximize your chances of approval.
Start gathering relationship evidence early — the more documentation the better.
Ensure all documents are translated into English or French by a certified translator.
Do not misrepresent any information on your application — misrepresentation results in a 5-year bar.
Double-check fee amounts before payment — IRCC fees change periodically.
Track IRCC processing times regularly and apply when times are favourable.
Respond to any IRCC requests for additional information promptly and completely.
If your relationship is new, document everything digitally — emails, social media, travel together.
Consider hiring a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for complex cases or previous refusals.
To sponsor a spouse, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older, not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, not be subject to a removal order (if a PR), not be bankrupt, and not have been convicted of certain violent or sexual offences. Your spouse must be genuinely married to you and otherwise admissible to Canada.
Processing times vary. Outland spousal sponsorship typically takes 12–24 months. Inland applications can take a similar period, though the sponsored partner can usually remain in Canada and may be eligible for an open work permit while waiting. IRCC publishes current processing time estimates on their website.
Yes. Spouse sponsorship is one of the most common pathways to Canadian permanent residence. Once the application is approved, the sponsored spouse becomes a permanent resident of Canada with full rights to live, work, and study anywhere in the country.
Inland sponsorship is for couples where the sponsored partner is physically in Canada at the time of application and wants to remain during processing. Outland sponsorship is processed at the visa office in the sponsored person's country and typically allows the sponsored person to travel freely during processing.
If you apply inland, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit (OWP) concurrent with the PR application. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada while the application is pending.
Common refusal reasons include insufficient proof of a genuine relationship, incomplete documentation, sponsor inadmissibility or a sponsorship bar, failure to meet financial requirements, or misrepresentation. Working with a regulated immigration consultant significantly reduces the risk of refusal.
Unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents, there is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. However, the sponsor must sign an undertaking agreeing to financially support the sponsored person for three years.
Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) have successfully guided hundreds of families through the spouse sponsorship process. Let us build a strong application for you.