Spousal Sponsorship

IRCC states that a spouse "is legally married to you" and "is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status". (IRCC, Who you can sponsor)

We review the sponsor's eligibility and the relationship evidence before you submit.

Sponsor Requirements

To sponsor a spouse, partner or child, IRCC lists that you (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible):

• "are at least 18 years old"
• "are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act"
• "live in Canada"

IRCC also states: "If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents." "If you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada, you can’t sponsor." (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible)

When You May Not Be Eligible

IRCC states: "You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if you"

• "were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago"
• "signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored and it hasn’t been 3 years since they became a permanent resident"

IRCC also states: "You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child if you"

• "have already applied to sponsor the same spouse, partner or child and a decision on that application hasn’t been made yet"
• "are in jail, prison or a penitentiary"
• "are behind on payments for" "an immigration loan", "a performance bond" or "court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support"
• "did not give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past"
• "declared bankruptcy and are not discharged"
• "are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability"
• "were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm or a sexual offence within or outside Canada"
• "can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a removal order"

IRCC notes that the support payment, past sponsorship agreement and bankruptcy points do not apply to Quebec sponsorships of a spouse, partner or child (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible).

IRCC states that a spouse (IRCC, Who you can sponsor):

• "is legally married to you"
• "is at least 18 years old"
• "can be any gender"
• "is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status"
• "must not be inadmissible to Canada" (see inadmissibility)

If you are not married, see common-law partner and conjugal partner sponsorship.

IRCC states: "In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child." "You only need to show that you have enough money to meet the income requirement if" "you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own" (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible)

IRCC states that you must "commit to supporting the people you’re sponsoring by signing an undertaking and sponsorship agreement" (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible). For a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, IRPR s. 132(1)(b) ends the undertaking "on the last day of the period of three years following the day on which the foreign national becomes a permanent resident" (IRPR, s. 132).

IRCC lists "sponsored family members" and "family members of permanent residence applicants" among those who may be eligible for an open work permit (IRCC, Open work permit).

IRPA s. 63(1) states: "A person who has filed in the prescribed manner an application to sponsor a foreign national as a member of the family class may appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division against a decision not to issue the foreign national a permanent resident visa." (IRPA, s. 63)

Sponsor eligibility check

We review the sponsor against each point IRCC lists above.

Relationship evidence

IRCC requires a spouse who "is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status" (IRCC, Who you can sponsor). We organize the evidence of your relationship.

Forms, fees and submission

Fees are published by IRCC and updated regularly. Processing times are published by IRCC and updated regularly.

• IRCC: you may not be eligible if you "were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago" (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible)
• IRCC: you may not be eligible if you "are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability" (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible)
• IRCC: a spouse "must not be inadmissible to Canada" (IRCC, Who you can sponsor)

Quick Facts

Fees are published by IRCC and updated regularly.
Income requirement:"In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement"
Processing times are published by IRCC and updated regularly.
Undertaking:"three years" after PR (IRPR s. 132)

Related Pathways

Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship Hub

A consultation reviews the sponsor's eligibility and the evidence package before you submit.

Schedule your consultation

A consultation is required for case-specific advice.

Assess Your Spousal Sponsorship

A consultation with RCIC #R515343 reviews the sponsor's eligibility and your relationship evidence before you submit.

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Amer Rehman, RCIC #R515343 | Member, CICC