Bringing your spouse to Canada is a key part of family reunification — and Canada’s spousal sponsorship program is one of the most generous immigration streams globally. Whether you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (PR), you can apply to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- Who is eligible to sponsor
- What documents are needed
- Processing timelines
- And tips to avoid delays
💍 Who Can Sponsor a Spouse in Canada?
To sponsor your spouse, you must be:
- ✅ At least 18 years old
- ✅ A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- ✅ Living in Canada (or plan to return if applying from abroad)
- ✅ Not receiving social assistance (except for disability)
- ✅ Able to provide financial support for your spouse (basic needs)
❌ You cannot sponsor if:
- You were sponsored as a spouse less than 5 years ago
- You are bankrupt or have serious criminal charges
- You failed to support a previous sponsored family member
👩❤️👨 Who Can Be Sponsored?
You can sponsor:
- A legal spouse (married partner)
- A common-law partner (living together for 12+ months)
- A conjugal partner (committed relationship without living together due to legal barriers)
🔁 Same-sex spouses/partners are fully eligible under Canadian law.
📋 Required Documents (2025)
For the Sponsor:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship/PR
- Signed sponsorship undertaking
- Notice of Assessment (optional but helpful)
For the Spouse:
- Passport bio page
- Marriage certificate (translated if needed)
- Photos, chat logs, call records (to prove genuine relationship)
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical exam by IRCC-approved physician
🔄 Application Options
| Application Type | Use When… | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Inland Sponsorship | Spouse is inside Canada | Apply for PR & work permit together |
| Outland Sponsorship | Spouse is outside Canada | Apply through visa office in home country |
📅 Processing Time (2025)
| Application Type | Avg. Time |
|---|---|
| Outland | 10–12 months |
| Inland | 12–14 months |
| Work Permit (Inland) | 2–4 months (temporary open work permit) |
Processing time may vary based on:
- Application completeness
- Security & medical checks
- Volume at visa office (e.g., Islamabad, Delhi)
💰 Fees for Spousal Sponsorship (CAD)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship Fee | $75 |
| Principal Applicant Fee | $490 |
| Right of Permanent Residence | $515 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Total | $1,165 CAD (as of 2025) |
⚠️ Common Reasons for Refusal
- Weak or insufficient proof of relationship
- Missing documents or incorrect forms
- Sponsor ineligible (e.g., criminal background, past violations)
- Suspected fraudulent marriage
✅ Tip: Include multiple forms of relationship proof — photos, flight tickets, WhatsApp chats, video calls, wedding events, etc.
💡 Can You Work While Waiting?
Yes — if applying inland, your spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit with the PR application.
This allows them to work while the application is processed.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Spouse sponsorship is one of the most direct ways to Canadian PR — but it requires full documentation, patience, and strong evidence of a genuine relationship.
✅ Choose the right application stream (inland or outland)
✅ Collect strong proof of marriage or partnership
✅ Track your application via IRCC Portal