Why Apply for Spousal Sponsorship?

• Reunite with your partner and live together in Canada.
• Get PR approval in about 12 months.
• Enjoy full PR benefits: work, study, and healthcare.
• Become eligible for citizenship after 3 years of residency.
• Inland applicants can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit.

Canada Spousal Sponsorship – Bring Your Partner to Canada

The Canada Spousal Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, and eligible dependent children to live in Canada as permanent residents. This family reunification program is designed to keep families together and provides a direct pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency (PR).

Once approved, the sponsored partner or spouse gains the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. Later, they may apply for Canadian citizenship once they meet the residency and other eligibility requirements. Sponsors must meet specific conditions, including being 18 years or older, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and able to demonstrate they are not in default of any previous sponsorships or financial obligations.

This pathway not only reunites families but also offers long-term stability through PR status and eventual eligibility for citizenship.

Eligibility for Canada Spousal Sponsorship

To qualify for Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program, both the sponsor and the person being sponsored must meet specific criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Who Can Be a Sponsor

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Must live in Canada or, if a citizen living abroad, show intent to return once the sponsored partner becomes a PR.
• Cannot be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).
• Must not be in default of previous sponsorship undertakings, immigration loans, or court-ordered support payments.
• Cannot be bankrupt, under a removal order, or convicted of certain offences.

Who Can Be Sponsored

• A legal spouse (marriage must be valid under the law where it took place and under Canadian law).
• A common-law partner (lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months).
• A conjugal partner (in a committed relationship but unable to marry or live together due to barriers such as immigration restrictions or cultural reasons).
• Dependent children who meet IRCC’s definition of dependency.

Documents Required for Canada Spousal Sponsorship

When applying for Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program, both the sponsor and the principal applicant must provide documents as listed in IRCC’s official application package and personalized checklist.

Sponsor Documents

• Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or registration under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Proof of age (18 years or older).
• Financial documents, such as recent Notice of Assessment or tax records, to confirm the sponsor is not receiving social assistance (except for disability).
• Signed forms and declarations confirming the sponsor is not in default of previous undertakings or immigration loans.

Applicant Documents

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Marriage certificate (for spouses) or proof of common-law or conjugal relationship (evidence of cohabitation, joint accounts, shared leases, correspondence, etc.).
• Digital photos meeting IRCC’s specifications.
• Police certificates from each country or territory where the applicant has lived for six months or more since age 18.
• Medical exam results completed by an IRCC-approved panel physician (as instructed).
• Additional country-specific forms or documents if listed in the IRCC checklist.

Note: These documents must be submitted as part of the application package, and incomplete submissions may result in delays or refusals.

Types of Sponsorship

Canada offers two main pathways for sponsoring a spouse or partner: Inland Sponsorship and Outland Sponsorship. Each has its own rules, benefits, and limitations as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Inland Sponsorship (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class)

• The sponsored person must be living in Canada with the sponsor when applying.
• Inland applicants may apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) after receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application, provided they continue to live with the sponsor in Canada.
• Port-of-entry applications are not allowed.

Outland Sponsorship (Family Class)

• The sponsored person applies from outside Canada, or while in Canada but processed through an overseas visa office.
• No automatic open work permit is available through this stream; the applicant must apply separately for work, study, or visitor status if they want to stay in Canada during processing.

Feature	Inland	Outland
Where you apply	Inside Canada	Usually outside Canada
Work options	Eligible for SOWP after AOR while living with sponsor	No SOWP via sponsorship; must apply separately for status
Travel during processing	Travel possible, but re-entry to Canada is not guaranteed; long absences may affect eligibility	Freer international travel; must hold the correct visa to visit Canada
Processing time guide	IRCC service standard is ~12 months (not guaranteed; check tool for updates)	Same service standard; times may vary by visa office

Benefits of Canada Spousal Sponsorship

Applying for Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program offers several important advantages for families:

• Reunite with your partner – Live together in Canada as a family under one household.
• Direct pathway to Permanent Residency – Sponsored spouses and partners gain full PR rights, including the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
• Eligibility for Canadian citizenship – After meeting the physical presence requirement (three years in the past five years), sponsored partners can apply for citizenship.
• Access to healthcare and social benefits – Permanent residents are entitled to public healthcare and most social programs.
• Work permit options for inland applicants – Those applying from inside Canada may qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) while their PR application is being processed.

Step-by-Step Process for Canada Spousal Sponsorship

Step 1 — Check Eligibility
Confirm that both the sponsor and the applicant meet IRCC requirements. The sponsor must qualify as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the relationship must fall under spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner as defined by IRCC.

Step 2 — Gather Documents
Prepare the required documents based on IRCC’s application package and personalized checklist. These may include identity documents, proof of marriage or relationship, photos, police certificates, and a medical exam.

Step 3 — Complete and Submit Applications
The principal applicant submits both the Sponsorship Application and the Permanent Residence Application together online through the IRCC PR Portal.

Step 4 — Pay Fees
Pay the applicable fees online, including the sponsorship fee, principal applicant processing fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics (if required). Keep a copy of the receipt.

Step 5 — Provide Biometrics & Medicals
If required, the applicant must give biometrics and complete an immigration medical exam with a panel physician when instructed by IRCC.

Step 6 — Wait for Processing
Monitor the online account regularly for updates and respond promptly to any additional requests from IRCC during the review process.

Step 7 — Receive Final Decision & PR Approval
If approved, IRCC issues instructions to finalize permanent residency. Once granted PR status, the sponsored person may later apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the physical presence requirement of three years in the past five years, along with other eligibility criteria.

Canada Spousal Sponsorship Costs

Below is the official fee structure for sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, as published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Fee Type	Amount (CAD)
Sponsorship fee	$85
Principal applicant processing fee	$545
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$575
Biometrics fee	$85 per person / $170 per family (if applicable)
Dependent child (per child)	$150

Canada Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the processing time for spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner sponsorship applications is approximately 12 months. This service standard applies to both inland (applications made from within Canada) and outland (applications processed through overseas offices) cases.

Key Notes from IRCC

• The 12-month timeline is a service standard, not a guarantee. Actual times can be shorter or longer depending on the case.
• Processing times vary based on where the sponsored person is applying from, how complete the application is, and whether additional information or background checks are required.
• Applicants can check the latest processing time updates using IRCC’s online processing time tool.
• Delays may occur if documents are missing, biometrics/medical exams are incomplete, or if IRCC requests further evidence.

Common Reasons for Refusal of Canada Spousal Sponsorship

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), spousal sponsorship applications may be refused for several reasons. The most common include:

• Insufficient proof of relationship – IRCC must be satisfied the marriage or partnership is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
• Missing or incomplete documents – Applications without required forms, signatures, or supporting documents may be returned or refused.
• Sponsor ineligibility – If the sponsor is under 18, receiving social assistance (except for disability), in default of a previous undertaking, bankrupt, under a removal order, or convicted of certain offences, the application will be refused.
• Misrepresentation – Providing false, misleading, or withheld information can result in refusal and a possible ban on reapplying for five years.
• Medical inadmissibility – The applicant may be refused if medical results show a condition that makes them inadmissible under Canadian law.
• Criminal inadmissibility – Past criminal convictions or security concerns can lead to refusal.
• Incomplete fees – Failure to pay the required sponsorship, processing, and Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) can result in rejection.
• Non-compliance with residency rules – For inland sponsorship, the applicant must reside in Canada with the sponsor; failure to do so can affect eligibility.

Appealing a Refusal in Canada Spousal Sponsorship

If a spousal sponsorship application is refused, the sponsor may have the right to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. This right of appeal is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who submitted the sponsorship.

Key Points About Appeals:

• Eligibility to Appeal – Sponsors can appeal most refusals, except in cases involving serious criminality, misrepresentation, security grounds, or violations of human or international rights.
• Time Limit – An appeal must be filed within 30 days of receiving the refusal letter.
• What Happens in an Appeal – The IAD will review the refusal, hear evidence, and decide whether to uphold or overturn the decision. Both the sponsor and the applicant may be asked to provide further documentation or testimony.
• Possible Outcomes – The IAD may allow the appeal (and order IRCC to continue processing), dismiss the appeal, or in some cases, resolve through alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
• Judicial Review – If the appeal right is not available or the appeal is dismissed, the sponsor may seek a judicial review by the Federal Court of Canada.

Note: Appealing is a formal legal process and may take several months or longer. Many sponsors seek professional assistance to strengthen their case.

Special Conditions for Canada Spousal Sponsorship

When applying for spousal sponsorship, certain special conditions outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) apply to both the sponsor and the applicant:

• Residency Requirement for Sponsors – Permanent residents must be living in Canada to sponsor a spouse or partner. Canadian citizens living abroad may sponsor, but they must show proof of intent to return to Canada once the partner becomes a permanent resident.
• Undertaking Period – Sponsors must sign an undertaking to provide financial support for their spouse or partner for 3 years, starting from the day the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. During this time, the sponsor remains financially responsible even if the relationship ends.
• No Income Requirement for Spousal Sponsorship – Unlike other family sponsorships, there is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child. However, sponsors cannot be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).
• Quebec Residents – If living in Quebec, sponsors must meet additional provincial requirements and sign a separate undertaking with the Quebec government after IRCC approves eligibility.
• Re-application Ban – If a sponsorship application is refused due to misrepresentation or ineligibility, the sponsor may face a five-year ban on submitting a new application.
• Sponsor Restrictions – Individuals who became permanent residents through spousal sponsorship cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner within five years of becoming a PR, even if they have since acquired citizenship.

Life in Canada for Sponsored Spouses

Once approved under the Canada Spousal Sponsorship Program, sponsored spouses or partners become permanent residents (PRs), giving them the same rights and responsibilities as other PRs in Canada.

• Live, Work, and Study Anywhere – Sponsored spouses can freely live in any province or territory, work for any employer, and pursue education without restrictions.
• Access to Healthcare and Social Benefits – As permanent residents, they are eligible for provincial/territorial healthcare coverage and most social benefits available to Canadians.
• Pathway to Citizenship – Sponsored spouses may apply for Canadian citizenship once they meet the residency requirement of three years (1,095 days) in the last five years and other eligibility criteria.
• Family Rights and Protections – Permanent residents are protected under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ensuring equal rights and protections.
• Community Integration – New permanent residents can access settlement services such as language training, employment support, and community programs funded by IRCC to help with successful integration.

Work Opportunities for Spouses Sponsored by Canadian Residents

Spouses or partners sponsored under Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program gain access to valuable work opportunities, depending on whether they apply from inside or outside Canada.

• Inland Applicants (inside Canada) – If applying under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class, the sponsored spouse may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). This permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed. To qualify, the sponsorship application must be submitted and an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) issued by IRCC. The applicant must also continue to live with the sponsor in Canada.
• Outland Applicants (outside Canada) – Spouses applying from abroad under the Family Class are not automatically eligible for a work permit through sponsorship. They may only work in Canada if they separately obtain a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa through the standard application process.
• After PR Approval – Once permanent residency is granted, sponsored spouses can work freely anywhere in Canada without restrictions and enjoy the same employment rights as other permanent residents.

Note: This pathway ensures that sponsored spouses can contribute to Canada’s economy while reuniting with their families.

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada, Y-Axis has provided unbiased and personalized immigration assistance for 25+ years. Our team of visa and immigration experts will assist you with the following:

• Arranging the immigration document checklist
• Filling out application forms
• Documentation and petition filing
• Getting your updates and follow-ups
• Finding relevant jobs with Y-Axis Job Search Services
• Obtaining Canadian Permanent Residence