01
At Least 18 Years Old
The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age when applying.
FAMILY
Spousal Sponsorship
Help your spouse become a permanent resident of Canada through the family sponsorship process.
Discuss Your Sponsorship CaseFAMILY SPONSORSHIP
What Is Spousal Sponsorship?
Canada's family sponsorship program allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse to become a permanent resident of Canada.
To qualify as a spouse, you and your partner must be legally married and the relationship must be genuine rather than entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
A spousal sponsorship application includes both the sponsor's application and the sponsored spouse's application for permanent residence.
IRCC assesses both the sponsor's eligibility and whether the sponsored person meets the applicable relationship, admissibility and permanent residence requirements.
SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Sponsor a Spouse?
The person sponsoring a spouse must meet Canada's sponsorship requirements.
02
Eligible Status in Canada
The sponsor must generally be a Canadian citizen, a Canadian permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
03
Residence Requirements
Permanent residents generally must live in Canada to sponsor. Canadian citizens living abroad may be able to sponsor if they demonstrate plans to return to Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
04
Financial Undertaking
The sponsor must sign an undertaking agreeing to provide financial support for the sponsored spouse for the required period.
05
Previous Sponsorships and Other Restrictions
Previous spousal sponsorships, an existing sponsorship undertaking, certain financial defaults, social assistance, bankruptcy, removal orders or certain criminal convictions may affect eligibility to sponsor.
06
Ability to Provide Basic Needs
The sponsor must agree to provide financial support for the sponsored spouse's basic needs during the applicable sponsorship undertaking period.
In particular, a person who became a permanent resident through spousal or partner sponsorship generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until five years have passed, and a sponsor may also be restricted while a previous three-year spousal undertaking remains in effect.
WHO CAN BE SPONSORED
Requirements for the Sponsored Spouse
The spouse being sponsored must also meet eligibility and admissibility requirements.
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Legally Married
The sponsored person must be legally married to the sponsor.
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At Least 18 Years Old
The sponsored spouse must currently be at least 18 years of age.
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Genuine Relationship
The marriage must represent a genuine relationship and not exist primarily for the purpose of obtaining immigration status.
✓
Admissibility
The sponsored spouse must meet Canada's applicable immigration admissibility requirements.
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
Showing That Your Relationship Is Genuine
A marriage certificate alone may not tell the complete story of a relationship. Supporting evidence helps IRCC understand your relationship and life together.
01
Relationship History
Evidence can help explain how you met, how the relationship developed and important milestones in your life together.
02
Communication
Communication records may help demonstrate an ongoing relationship, particularly where spouses have spent periods living apart.
03
Time Together
Travel records, photographs and other evidence can help document time spent together and shared experiences.
04
Shared Residence
Where applicable, documents showing that spouses live or have lived together may support the application.
05
Financial Connection
Shared financial responsibilities, accounts, insurance or other arrangements may help demonstrate how the couple manages their life together.
06
Family & Social Recognition
Evidence showing that family members and friends know about and recognize the relationship may also be relevant.
APPLICATION SITUATION
Family Class or In-Canada Sponsorship
Spousal sponsorship applications may proceed through the Family Class or, in qualifying circumstances, through the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
The appropriate application class can depend on where the sponsored spouse lives, whether the couple is living together in Canada, the spouse's immigration status, travel needs and other circumstances.
Choosing the appropriate application class is important because the procedures and practical considerations are not identical.
A sponsored spouse or partner living in Canada may also be eligible to apply for an open work permit if the applicable IRCC requirements are met.
Spouse Already in Canada?
Immigration status and work authorization should be considered separately from the permanent residence sponsorship application.
Review My SituationSPONSOR RESPONSIBILITY
Understanding the Sponsorship Undertaking
Sponsorship creates an ongoing financial responsibility for the sponsor.
3
Three-Year Undertaking
Outside Quebec, the undertaking for a sponsored spouse currently lasts for three years beginning when the spouse becomes a permanent resident.
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Basic Financial Support
The sponsor agrees to provide the sponsored person with necessary financial support during the undertaking period.
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Social Assistance Responsibility
If the sponsored spouse receives certain social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may be required to repay that amount.
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Relationship Changes Do Not End It
Once the sponsored spouse becomes a permanent resident, separation or divorce does not cancel or shorten the sponsorship undertaking.
FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
Is There a Minimum Income Requirement?
In most spousal sponsorship cases, there is currently no minimum income requirement.
However, a sponsor must still agree to support the sponsored spouse and must not be in certain situations that make them ineligible to sponsor.
A minimum income requirement can apply in limited cases, such as when the spouse or partner being sponsored has a dependent child who has a dependent child of their own.
No Standard Minimum Income in Most Cases
Do not assume that being unemployed or having a modest income automatically makes someone ineligible to sponsor a spouse. The complete sponsorship circumstances must be reviewed.
Check Sponsor EligibilityAPPLICATION PROCESS
How Spousal Sponsorship Works
A spousal sponsorship application involves both a sponsorship assessment and a permanent residence application.
1
Confirm Eligibility
Review whether the sponsor and spouse meet the applicable sponsorship requirements.
2
Prepare Relationship Evidence
Gather documents that demonstrate the marriage and the genuine nature of the relationship.
3
Prepare Both Applications
Complete the sponsorship application and the sponsored spouse's permanent residence application.
4
Submit to IRCC
The principal applicant submits the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together through the applicable process.
5
Complete Processing
IRCC may request biometrics, medical examinations, background information, additional documents or other steps before making a decision.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Every Relationship Has Its Own Story
Spousal sponsorship applications are not only about completing forms. IRCC must also be satisfied that the relationship meets Canada's immigration requirements.
Couples may have different circumstances, including long-distance relationships, previous marriages, cultural differences, short courtships, periods of separation or limited shared financial documentation.
These circumstances do not necessarily prevent sponsorship, but the application should explain the relationship clearly and provide appropriate supporting evidence.
Concerned About Your Relationship Evidence?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your relationship history, sponsorship eligibility and supporting documentation and help you prepare a clear and organized application.
Contact UsBUILD YOUR FUTURE TOGETHER
Bring Your Life Together in Canada
Tell us about your relationship, current immigration situation and sponsorship goals, and our team can help you understand the appropriate next steps.
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