Sponsor your Spouse or Partner to Canada

Bring Your Partner to Canada as a Permanent Resident

Sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is a key program under Canada’s family reunification commitment. This process allows you, as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, to help your partner obtain permanent residency, enabling you to build your life together in Canada.

Sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is a key program under Canada’s family reunification commitment. This process allows you, as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, to help your partner obtain permanent residency, enabling you to build your life together in Canada.

 

Eligibility and Purpose

Sponsoring your partner is a significant legal commitment. You must meet specific eligibility criteria and demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and not entered into for immigration purposes.

 
Sponsor Obligations

As the sponsor, you are legally responsible for providing financial support for your partner's basic needs for three years after they become a permanent resident.

Relationship Status

The program applies to spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners.

General Requirements (Sponsor)

  • You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.


  • You must be at least 18 years old.


  • You must live in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must demonstrate your intention to return to Canada when your partner becomes a permanent resident.


  • You must sign a sponsorship agreement with the Government of Canada, committing to financially support your spouse for a period of three years.

Financial Requirements

Unlike some other immigration programs, there is generally no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship. However, you must prove you can meet the financial commitment of the three-year undertaking.

Open Work Permit

For inland spousal sponsorship applications, your partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada while the permanent residency application is being processed.

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Eligibility Assessment

We assess both your and your partner's eligibility to determine the best sponsorship route (Inland vs. Outland).

Choose the Best Strategy

We analyze your specific situation—previous refusals, financial undertakings, or common-law evidence—to build a bulletproof file.

Avoid Costly Mistakes

Our experts meticulously review your application to avoid inconsistencies, missing documents, and other costly mistakes.

Document Compilation

We provide a detailed checklist and assist in gathering all necessary forms and compelling evidence of your relationship.

family walking in snow for spousal sponsorship or common-law partner immigration to Canada

Relationship Types

The spousal sponsorship program is a two-part application. Both the sponsor (you) and the person being sponsored (your partner) must meet specific eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Spouse

You are legally married in a ceremony recognized by both Canadian law and the law of the country where the marriage took place.

Common-Law Partner

You have been living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

Conjugal Partner

You have been in a committed relationship for at least one year but could not live together or marry due to circumstances beyond your control (legal or immigration barriers).

Income Requirements for Spousal Sponsorship

Unlike most Canadian immigration categories, there is no minimum income requirement (LICO) for spousal, common-law, or conjugal partner sponsorship. You do not need to show a specific amount of money to qualify. However, you must demonstrate that you can provide for the basic needs of your partner and any dependent children without relying on social assistance.

Can I sponsor my spouse if I have no income?

Yes, you can sponsor your spouse for Canadian permanent residence even with no income, as there is no minimum income requirement (MNI) for most spousal sponsorships. However, you must prove you can support basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) without social assistance. Key restrictions include not being in bankruptcy, not having defaulted on previous undertakings, and not living in Quebec. 

⚠️ Warning: Do not sign Form IMM 1344 without understanding the financial risks. Read our full guide on Sponsorship Debt here.

Employer discussing Canadian immigration pathways and job offers with an international recruit.

In-Canada vs. Outland Sponsorship

Choosing the right sponsorship class is a crucial decision that impacts the application process, travel flexibility, and eligibility for a work permit.


  • In-Canada Class (Inland): This is for couples where the sponsored person is already living with the sponsor in Canada and has a valid temporary status (e.g., visitor, worker, or student). The sponsored person can often apply for an open work permit while the application is in process but should not leave Canada.


  • Family Class (Outland): This is for couples where the sponsored person lives outside of Canada. However, those already in Canada may choose this option if they need the flexibility to travel in and out of the country during the application process.

Spousal Open Work Permit

If your partner is in Canada on a temporary status and you choose the In-Canada sponsorship route, they may be eligible to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada while waiting for their permanent residency application to be processed.

CEC vs. FSWP vs. FSTP: What's the Difference?

Feature
Inland Sponsorship
Outland Sponsorship
Location of SpouseMust be living in Canada.
Must be living in Canada.		Can be inside or outside Canada.
Right of Appeal
No (Judicial Review only).
Yes (to the Immigration Appeal Division).
Work Permit (SOWP)
Included in the application.
Available if the spouse is in Canada.
Travel during process
Discouraged (risks application).
Allowed (more flexibility).
Est. Processing Time
12 - 15 Months.
10 - 12 Months (varies by visa office).
Best for...
Couples already together in Canada.
Couples needing travel freedom or appeal safety.

Sponsoring other family members

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor other close relatives. If you wish to sponsor a child, parent, or other family member, explore the specific requirements and programs available on our dedicated pages for family sponsorship.

family relaxing at home after successful Canadian family sponsorship immigration

Frequently Asked Questions

While spousal sponsorship remains a priority, the overall reduction in Family Class admissions means higher scrutiny. A well-prepared, professional file is now more critical than ever to avoid being stuck in longer processing queues.

IRCC examines shared finances, living arrangements, communication records, photos, social history, and long-term plans. They analyze the chronology of how the relationship developed and compare personal narratives provided by each partner. Interviews may be scheduled if officers find discrepancies or cultural/language barriers that require clarification.

Yes. Inland sponsorship allows applying even if status is lost, as long as the applicant is not inadmissible for serious violations. However, unauthorized work must stop. Outland sponsorship may be safer if enforcement action is a concern.

Sponsors of spouses don’t need minimum income, but they must demonstrate financial capacity to support the partner. IRCC may request updated documents. Receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability disqualifies sponsorship.

Travel is allowed but risky. Leaving Canada may result in refusal at the border, jeopardizing the inland process. Outland sponsorship is better for applicants who expect to travel.

IRCC will review past refusals, but a well-documented genuine relationship outweighs most concerns.

While processing times vary, IRCC aims to process most spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months. You can check the current status via the IRCC online tracker.

Yes. If your partner is applying from "In-Canada," they may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit, allowing them to work for any employer while waiting for Permanent Residency.

For IRCC, a spouse is someone you are legally married to. A common-law partner is someone you have lived with in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Both categories are eligible for sponsorship, but common-law applications require extensive proof of cohabitation, such as joint leases, utility bills, and shared bank accounts.

our options depend on how you applied. If you chose Outland Sponsorship, you generally have the right to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD). If you applied via Inland Sponsorship, there is no right of appeal; your only recourse is a Judicial Review in Federal Court, which is a more complex legal process.

In most cases, there is no minimum income requirement (LICO) to sponsor a spouse or partner. However, you must sign an Undertaking, which is a legally binding contract for 3 years. This means you are financially responsible for your spouse's basic needs (including dental and eye care) and must repay any social assistance they receive from the government during that period, regardless of divorce or job loss.

Yes, but it requires a strategic approach. Your spouse may need to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) before or alongside the sponsorship application. If your spouse has a criminal record, visit our Criminal Rehabilitation consultation page to resolve inadmissibility before applying.

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