Spousal Sponsorship
Sponsor Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. Spousal applications receive the highest processing priority at IRCC. Canada also fully recognizes same-sex relationships under all three categories.
Relationship Categories
You are legally married and the marriage is valid under the law of the jurisdiction where it was registered and under Canadian law.
You have been cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Both inland and outland routes are available.
You have been in a committed relationship for at least 12 months but cannot live together due to significant legal constraints or immigration barriers. Outland route only.
ICL's RCIC-licensed consultants will assess your eligibility, advise on inland vs. outland, and prepare a complete, error-free application.
Sponsor Requirements
General Requirements for All Sponsors
Regardless of which family member you are sponsoring, all sponsors must meet these baseline requirements:
Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada currently residing in Canada. Canadian citizens living abroad may sponsor a spouse, partner, or child if they plan to reside in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a PR.
Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application submission.
Must demonstrate the financial ability to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person - food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public health services.
Must sign an undertaking - a legally binding promise to the Government of Canada to financially support the sponsored person. If they receive social assistance (welfare) at any point during the undertaking period, you must repay every dollar to the government. This obligation survives divorce, separation, job loss, or the sponsored person becoming a citizen.
Must have physical residency in Canada, or demonstrate intent to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored person becomes a PR (for citizens abroad sponsoring a spouse, partner, or child).
Must not be in prison, not bankrupt, not under a removal order (if a PR), not charged with or convicted of serious offences, and must not have defaulted on previous sponsorship undertakings.
Application Process
From Application to Landing - Step by Step
Both the sponsor's application and the sponsored person's permanent residence application are filed simultaneously.
Confirm that you meet the sponsor requirements (status, age, income if applicable) and that your family member meets eligibility criteria. Not yet a PR? You must first become one via Express Entry or PNP. ICL recommends a professional review before submitting.
You must prepare and submit two applications simultaneously: a sponsorship application (you as the sponsor) and a permanent residence application (your family member as the sponsored person). Missing documents are a leading cause of delays.
Pay all required fees including the sponsorship application fee, the permanent residence application fee, the right of permanent residence fee, and biometric fees. Fees vary by program and must be paid online.
Submit both applications to the correct IRCC processing centre. Quebec residents must also file with the provincial ministry (MIFI). Follow the mailing address instructions in the official application guide exactly.
The sponsored person will be required to complete a medical examination by a designated physician and provide police certificates from every country where they have lived for 6 or more months since the age of 18.
Once IRCC approves both applications, the sponsored person receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa. After 3 years of physical presence in Canada, they can apply for Canadian citizenship.
FAQ
Family Sponsorship - Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about sponsoring family members to Canada.
Your Family Belongs Together.
ICL's RCIC-licensed family sponsorship specialists will guide you from eligibility check to your family member's first day in Canada.