Reunite with your loved one in Canada through the family sponsorship program for spouses, common-law, and conjugal partners.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
You may sponsor your partner under one of three categories:
● Spouse
You are considered spouses if you are legally married under civil law.
○ The marriage must be valid under the laws of the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
○ Opposite-sex and same-sex marriages are both eligible.
● Common-Law Partner
You are a common-law partner if:
○ You have lived together continuously in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months, without long separations.
○ You must provide evidence of combined finances, joint address, and shared responsibilities.
● Conjugal Partner
This category is for those who:
○ Have been in a committed relationship for at least 1 year,
○ But are unable to live together or marry due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., legal or religious barriers, persecution, war, same-sex restrictions).
○ Must show efforts made to be together and the barriers that prevent cohabitation.
Who Can Apply?
You may sponsor your spouse or partner if you:
● Are 18 years of age or older
● Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
● Live in Canada (or plan to return if applying from outside Canada as a citizen)
● Are not receiving social assistance (except for disability)
● Can support the basic needs of the sponsored person
● Are not inadmissible (e.g., no removal order, no serious criminal charges, not bankrupt)
Permanent residents must be living in Canada to apply. They cannot sponsor from outside the country.
Application Process
1. Confirm Eligibility – Determine if both sponsor and applicant qualify
2. Gather Documentation – Proof of relationship, identity, police checks, medical exams
3. Decide Inside vs Outside Canada Stream:
○ Inland sponsorship allows the applicant to remain in Canada and apply for an open work permit
○ Outland sponsorship is processed through the applicant’s home country visa office
4. Submit Application – Apply online through the IRCC Portal
5. IRCC Review – Background checks, genuineness of relationship
6. Approval and PR Issuance – If approved, the applicant becomes a permanent resident
Processing Times & Notes
● Processing Time: Approx. 10–14 months for most spousal applications
● Open Work Permit: Inland applicants can apply for an open work permit while waiting
● Undertaking Period: Sponsor must financially support the spouse or partner for 3 years
Yes. The inland stream allows sponsoring a spouse even if they have lost status, provided they are not under a removal order.
Yes, but re-entry is not guaranteed for outland applicants. Inland applicants should avoid leaving Canada.
No, but IRCC may ask for additional documentation to prove the relationship is genuine and not for immigration purposes.
Yes, you can include dependent children of the principal applicant. Separate forms may be required.
No. There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child. However, the sponsor must not be receiving social assistance.
Reunite with Your Loved One Through Spousal Sponsorship
Navigating IRCC’s relationship assessments and documentation requirements can be complex. Our RCIC-led support helps ensure your sponsorship is strong, complete, and positioned for success.