How to Apply for Canadian Spouse Sponsorship and Bring Your Loved One to Canada

Canada is known for its strong commitment to family reunification, making it possible for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or partners to live with them in the country. If you are in a committed relationship and want to bring your loved one to Canada, the Spouse Sponsorship Program is the ideal pathway.

Through this program, Canada allows eligible sponsors to help their spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners obtain permanent residence, ensuring that families can stay together and build a future in the country. However, the application process can be complex, requiring careful attention to eligibility requirements, documentation, and submission procedures.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to apply for Canadian spouse sponsorship, including eligibility criteria, required documents, step-by-step instructions, processing times, and essential tips for a successful application. Whether you are applying from inside or outside Canada, this article will provide the guidance you need to navigate the process with confidence.

What is Canadian Spouse Sponsorship?

Canadian Spouse Sponsorship is a government program under Family Class Immigration that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency (PR) in Canada. This program is designed to keep families together, allowing couples to live and build a future in Canada.

The sponsored spouse or partner will receive permanent resident status, giving them the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. However, the sponsor is responsible for financially supporting the sponsored person for a certain period to ensure they do not rely on social assistance.

Types of Spousal Sponsorship Applications

There are two main types of spousal sponsorship applications:

Inland Spousal Sponsorship

For spouses or partners who are already living in Canada on a temporary visa (visitor, student, or worker).
The sponsored person can apply for an open work permit while waiting for the application to be processed.
The applicant must remain in Canada until a decision is made.

Outland Spousal Sponsorship

For spouses or partners living outside Canada during the application process.
The application is processed through a Canadian visa office in the applicant’s home country.
The sponsored person can still visit Canada while the application is in process, but they must remain outside Canada until a decision is made.

Before applying for Canadian spouse sponsorship, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements as a sponsor. The Government of Canada has specific criteria to determine who can act as a sponsor in a spousal sponsorship application.

To sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old – Only adults can legally sponsor their spouse or partner.

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident – You must either:

Be a Canadian citizen, even if you are currently living outside Canada, as long as you plan to return to Canada once your spouse’s application is approved.
Be a permanent resident living in Canada at the time of applying (permanent residents cannot sponsor from outside Canada).

Prove your intent to live in Canada – If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must show proof that you will move to Canada once your spouse is granted permanent residence.

Not be receiving social assistance – You must not be receiving government financial assistance, except for reasons of disability.

Be financially responsible for your spouse – As a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking agreement to financially support your spouse for three years after they receive permanent residence. This means:

You will provide basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter.
Your spouse cannot apply for social assistance during this period.

Have no sponsorship bans or ineligibility due to past cases – You cannot sponsor your spouse if you:

Were yourself sponsored as a spouse within the last five years.
Did not fulfill financial support obligations in a past sponsorship.

You cannot sponsor your spouse if you fall under any of the following categories:

You were sponsored as a spouse within the last 5 years – If you were previously sponsored by a spouse to become a permanent resident, you must wait at least five years before sponsoring someone else.

You are still financially responsible for a previous spouse – If you sponsored a previous spouse or partner and are still within the three-year financial support period, you must wait until that period ends before sponsoring a new spouse.

You are in prison or have a serious criminal record – If you have been convicted of certain violent or sexual crimes, you may be ineligible to sponsor.

You are in financial trouble – You cannot sponsor if:

You did not repay a previous immigration loan or social assistance debt.
You are in bankruptcy and have not been discharged.

You failed to pay child or spousal support – If you were ordered by a court to pay child or spousal support and failed to do so, you may be ineligible.

You provided false information on a past immigration application – If you were found guilty of misrepresentation in any past immigration application, you may be banned from sponsoring for a certain period.

Eligibility Criteria for the Sponsored Person

The sponsored person (spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner) must also meet specific eligibility requirements to be approved for permanent residence under Canada’s Spouse Sponsorship Program.

Below are the key criteria that determine whether your spouse or partner qualifies for sponsorship.

Age Requirement

The sponsored person must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

Relationship Status

The sponsored person must be legally recognized as one of the following:

Spouse

The applicant must be legally married to the sponsor.
The marriage must be valid under both Canadian law and the law of the country where it took place.
If the marriage took place outside Canada, it must be legally recognized in that country and in Canada.

Common-law Partner

The applicant and the sponsor must have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.
Proof of cohabitation is required (e.g., shared bills, joint lease, joint bank accounts, photos).

Conjugal Partner

The applicant must be in a committed relationship with the sponsor for at least one year but unable to live together due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., immigration barriers, legal restrictions, war).
Proof of the relationship must be provided (e.g., communication records, travel history, affidavits).

Admissibility to Canada

The sponsored person must not be inadmissible to Canada due to any of the following reasons:

Criminal Background

The sponsored person must not have a criminal record or have committed serious crimes.
A police clearance certificate is required from any country where they have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.

Medical Inadmissibility

The sponsored person must undergo a medical examination with an IRCC-approved physician to ensure they do not have any serious health conditions that could burden Canada’s healthcare system.

No Misrepresentation

The applicant must not provide false information or fraudulent documents.
If caught misrepresenting facts, they could be banned from applying for five years.

Intention to Live in Canada

The sponsored spouse must intend to live permanently in Canada once the application is approved.
If the couple is applying through Outland Sponsorship, the spouse can stay in their home country while waiting for approval but must move to Canada upon approval.

No Previous Sponsorship Ban

The sponsored person cannot have been sponsored previously as a spouse in the last five years. If they were granted permanent residence through spousal sponsorship before, they must wait five years before applying again under a new relationship.

No Immigration Violations

The sponsored person must not have overstayed a visa or have been previously removed or deported from Canada due to immigration violations. If they have, they may need to apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) before they can be sponsored.

Proof of Genuine Relationship

Immigration officers carefully examine spousal sponsorship applications to ensure the relationship is genuine and not for immigration purposes only. The couple must provide strong proof of their relationship, such as:

Marriage Certificate (if married).
Photos together from different events and time periods.
Chat logs, call records, and emails.
Travel history showing visits to each other.
Joint financial documents (bank accounts, property, leases).
Affidavits from family and friends confirming the authenticity of the relationship.

If IRCC suspects a marriage of convenience, they may request an interview or additional proof.

How to Apply for Canadian Spouse Sponsorship

Applying for Canadian spouse sponsorship is a step-by-step process that requires careful preparation to ensure a successful outcome. The application involves gathering documents, completing forms, paying fees, and submitting the application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Below is a detailed guide on how to apply for Canadian spouse sponsorship.

Determine Your Eligibility

Before starting the application, ensure that both you (the sponsor) and your spouse or partner (the applicant) meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility for the Sponsor:

Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).
Must commit to financially supporting the sponsored spouse for 3 years.

Eligibility for the Sponsored Person:

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be legally recognized as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
Must be admissible to Canada (no criminal record or serious health issues).
Must provide proof of a genuine relationship.

Choose the Type of Sponsorship

There are two types of spousal sponsorship applications:

Inland Sponsorship (If the spouse is already in Canada)

The sponsored spouse must be living in Canada on a temporary visa (visitor, worker, or student).
They can apply for an open work permit while waiting for permanent residence.
They must stay in Canada throughout the application process.

Outland Sponsorship (If the spouse is outside Canada)

The application is processed through a Canadian visa office in the spouse’s home country.
The sponsored spouse can visit Canada while waiting for approval, but must return to their home country if required.

Which one should you choose?

If the spouse is already in Canada, Inland Sponsorship is usually better, as they can apply for an open work permit.
If the spouse is outside Canada, Outland Sponsorship is required.

Gather Required Documents

Both the sponsor and the sponsored spouse must provide several documents to support the application.

For the Sponsor:

Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence (passport, PR card, birth certificate).
Proof of income or financial stability (tax records, pay stubs).
Signed undertaking agreement (confirming financial responsibility for 3 years).

For the Sponsored Person:

Valid passport or travel document.
Marriage certificate (if married).
Proof of common-law relationship (joint lease, bills, photos, etc.).
Police clearance certificate from any country lived in for 6+ months since turning 18.
Medical exam results from an IRCC-approved doctor.

Proof of Relationship:

Wedding photos, travel history together, messages, call logs.
Joint bank accounts, lease agreements, shared assets.
Statements from family and friends confirming the relationship.

Complete the Application Forms

You must complete and sign all required forms before submitting your application. These forms can be downloaded from the IRCC website.

Important Forms to Complete:

IMM 1344 – Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement.
IMM 5532 – Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation.
IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Permanent Residence.
IMM 5669 – Schedule A: Background/Declaration.
IMM 5406 – Additional Family Information.

Tip: Make sure all forms are signed correctly and filled out accurately to avoid delays.

Pay the Application Fees

You must pay the required processing fees online via the IRCC website before submitting the application.

Application Fees:

Sponsorship Fee: $75
Principal Applicant Processing Fee: $490
Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515
Biometrics Fee: $85 (if applicable)

Total Cost: Approximately $1,165 (additional fees may apply for dependents).

Submit the Application

Once all forms and documents are complete, you can submit the application online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal or by mail to the appropriate processing center.

📌For Inland Sponsorship: Submit the application to CPC Mississauga (Canada).
For Outland Sponsorship: Submit it to the visa office responsible for the sponsored person’s home country.

Tip: Keep copies of all documents and confirmation receipts for your records.

Biometrics and Medical Exam

After submitting the application, IRCC will send a request for:

Biometrics (Fingerprints & Photo) – The sponsored person must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide biometrics.
Medical Exam – The sponsored spouse must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Tip: Complete these requirements as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Wait for Processing

The standard processing time for spousal sponsorship applications is approximately 12 months. However, processing times can vary depending on:

The country of the sponsored spouse.
The completeness of the application.
Background checks and security clearances.

Tip: Track your application status online using the IRCC website.

Decision on the Application

Once the application is processed:

If Approved:

The sponsored spouse receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
If outside Canada, they will get a visa (if needed) to enter Canada.
If inside Canada, they may be scheduled for a landing interview before receiving PR status.

If Rejected:

You will receive a letter explaining the reasons for refusal.
You can reapply or appeal the decision if you believe the rejection was unfair.

After Arrival in Canada

Once the sponsored spouse arrives in Canada as a permanent resident, they will:

Receive a Permanent Resident (PR) Card in the mail.
Be eligible for healthcare and social benefits.
Have the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
Be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Conclusion

Bringing your spouse or partner to Canada through the Spouse Sponsorship Program is a life-changing opportunity that allows couples to reunite and build a future together. While the application process may seem complex, careful preparation, attention to detail, and submitting a complete and accurate application can significantly improve your chances of success.

By following the step-by-step process, ensuring both the sponsor and the sponsored person meet all eligibility requirements, and providing strong proof of a genuine relationship, you can navigate the system smoothly. Additionally, staying proactive by tracking your application status, responding to IRCC requests promptly, and avoiding common mistakes can help reduce delays.

Once the application is approved, the sponsored spouse will receive permanent resident status, granting them the right to live, work, and study in Canada. Over time, they can also apply for Canadian citizenship, fully integrating into the country’s social and economic life.

If you are considering sponsoring your spouse or partner, start the process as soon as possible. Family reunification is a top priority for Canada’s immigration system, and with proper guidance, you can successfully bring your loved one to Canada and begin your journey together in a new home.

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What is Canadian Spouse Sponsorship?

Types of Spousal Sponsorship Applications