Sponsor your Spouse

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.

Start your immigration journey with confidence

Whether you’re handling it yourself or need guidance throughout, we’re here to support you.
Start with a $49.99 one-on-one consultation.
 

Start your immigration journey with confidence

Whether you're ready to start on your own—or want advice every step of the way—we've got your back.
Start with a $49.99 one-on-one consultation.

Express
Consultation

Speak with an immigration expert to get answers to questions and concerns

$49.99 (CAD)

30 minutes with an expert

Answers to basic question

Overview of immigration pathways

Key information on requirements

Get more details

Premium Consultation & Eligibility Assessment

In-depth analysis, eligibility assessment & tailored strategy

$149.99 (CAD)

60 minutes with an expert

Customized plan to maximize success

Eligibility review, CRS score, and best pathways

Guidance on required documents

Get more details

Self-Managed Application Support Consultation

Speak with an immigration expert to discuss your self-prepared application.

$199.99 (CAD)

60 minutes with an expert

Tips to strengthen your application

Answers to questions on forms, and requirements

Guidance on next steps after submission

Get more details

Get the help you need to succeed.

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 assess which immigration program, like the FSWP, is the best fit for your profile to ensure a successful application.

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 to your partner. The marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it took place.

Common-Law Partner

You are not legally married but have lived with your partner in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

Conjugal Partner

You are in a committed, marriage-like relationship for at least one year but cannot live together due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control (e.g., legal or immigration barriers). This is a rare category and requires extensive proof.

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.

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

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.

Download our free guide to spousal sponsorships

Begin your journey with our free ebook to get a clear starting point and foundational understanding of the spousal sponsorship process.

* indicates required

Consult with an immigration expert

licensed and insured representatives with you every step of the way

Consult with an immigration expert today

licensed and insured representatives with you every step of the way.

© Can-Am Immigration, Inc. All rights reserved.


CanadianVisas.com is operated by Can-Am Immigration Inc., a Canadian immigration consulting firm. We provide access to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), as well as full representation services and self-guided immigration tools. CanadianVisas.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, except as authorized under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act of Canada.