Sponsor Your Spouse, Partner, or Child for Canada Immigration

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident looking to sponsor your spouse, partner, or child to Canada, the spousal and family sponsorship program is your pathway to family reunification.

With Canada aiming to welcome over 400,000 immigrants annually, including 80,000 through the Spouses, Partners, and Children category, this process is a key part of the nation’s immigration system.

What Is the Canadian Sponsorship Process for Spouses, Partners, and Children?

The Canadian sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children to Canada as permanent residents.

This program is part of Canada’s family reunification initiative, ensuring families can live together in one of the world’s most welcoming countries.

Once approved, your loved ones gain permanent resident status, which grants them the right to live, work, and study in Canada.

How Does the Sponsorship Process Work?

Sponsoring a family member involves a few key steps. First, you, as the sponsor, must apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to prove you’re eligible.

At the same time, the person you’re sponsoring (the principal applicant) applies for permanent residence.

Both applications are submitted together, ensuring a streamlined process.

Here’s a quick overview:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility – You and the person you’re sponsoring must meet specific requirements (more on this below).

Step 2: Prepare the Application – Download the application package from the IRCC website, which includes forms like the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344), and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008).

Step 3: Pay Fees – The total cost for sponsoring a spouse or partner is $1,290 CAD, which includes a $85 sponsorship fee, $545 principal applicant processing fee, $575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and $85 biometrics fee.

If you’re including dependent children, add $150 per child.

For Quebec residents, an additional $289 CAD fee applies.

Step 4: Submit the Application – Follow the submission instructions in the guide.

You’ll need to upload supporting documents like proof of your relationship, police certificates, and medical exams.

Step 5: Wait for Processing – IRCC typically processes spousal sponsorship applications within 12 months for 80% of cases, both inland (within Canada) and outland (outside Canada).

However, complex cases or missing documents can cause delays.

Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship: What’s the Difference?

Inland Sponsorship: This applies if the person you’re sponsoring is already in Canada with temporary status (e.g., as a visitor, student, or worker).

They must live with you in Canada during the application process.

A big advantage?

They can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) while waiting, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer.

Outland Sponsorship: This is for when the person you’re sponsoring lives outside Canada.

They can travel to Canada during the process if they’re from a visa-exempt country or have a visitor visa, but the sponsor must remain in Canada.

Applications are processed through the visa office in the applicant’s home country or where they’ve legally resided for at least a year.

Are You Eligible to Sponsor Your Spouse, Partner, or Child in 2025?

Before you start the process, you need to confirm you’re eligible to sponsor. Canada has clear rules to ensure sponsors can support their family members without relying on government assistance. Here’s what you need to know.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors

To sponsor your spouse, partner, or child, you must meet these criteria:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

Status: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.

If you’re a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must show you’ll move to Canada once your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident.

Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor.

Financial Stability: You must prove you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.

You also need to show you can provide for the basic needs of the person you’re sponsoring, such as housing, food, clothing, and medical expenses not covered by public health insurance (e.g., dental and eye care).

No Legal or Financial Issues: You cannot sponsor if:

• You’re in prison or have been convicted of a violent crime, an offence against a relative, or a sexual offence (unless rehabilitated for at least five years).
• You’re under a Removal Order or can’t legally stay in Canada.
• You’ve declared bankruptcy and haven’t been discharged (except in Quebec).
• You’re in default on an immigration loan, performance bond, or court-ordered payments like alimony or child support (except in Quebec).
• You failed to support a previously sponsored person, leading to them receiving social assistance (except in Quebec).

Sponsorship Restrictions: You cannot sponsor if:

• You were sponsored as a spouse or partner and became a permanent resident less than five years ago.
• You’re still financially responsible for a previous spouse or partner you sponsored (the undertaking lasts three years from the day they became a permanent resident).

Income Requirements for Sponsorship

In most cases, there’s no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner, or child.

However, you must prove you can support their basic needs without government help.

There are exceptions where you need to meet a minimum income threshold, known as the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO):

• You’re sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child, and that child has their own dependent children.
• You’re sponsoring a dependent child who has dependent children of their own.

If LICO applies, you’ll need to submit a Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283) with your application, showing your income meets the threshold set by the Canadian government each year.

Even if you’re receiving Employment Insurance or disability benefits, you can still sponsor, as long as you’re not on social assistance for other reasons.

Special Rules for Quebec Residents

If you live in Quebec or plan to reside there when your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident, you must meet additional requirements.

After IRCC approves you as a sponsor, you’ll need to sign an undertaking with the province of Quebec.

The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) will assess your income to ensure you can support the person you’re sponsoring.

Note that Quebec has a cap of 13,000 family sponsorship applications from June 26, 2024, to June 25, 2026.

If the cap is reached, applications will be returned without processing, and processing times in Quebec can range from 34 to 36 months.

What Is the Sponsorship Undertaking?

When you sponsor someone, you sign an undertaking—a legal promise to financially support them for a set period.

For a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, this lasts three years from the day they become a permanent resident.

For dependent children under 22, the undertaking is 10 years or until they turn 25, whichever comes first. For children over 22, it’s three years.

During this time, you’re responsible for their basic needs, and you must repay any social assistance they receive.

You cannot cancel the undertaking, even if your financial situation changes or your relationship ends.

Who Can You Sponsor for Canadian Immigration?

You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children.

Each category has specific requirements to ensure the relationship or dependency is genuine.

Sponsoring Your Spouse

Definition: Your spouse must be legally married to you and at least 18 years old.

Same-Sex Marriages: Canada recognizes same-sex marriages for sponsorship.

If the marriage occurred outside Canada, it must be legal in that country and under Canadian federal law.

Proxy, telephone, or internet marriages where one or both parties weren’t physically present are not recognized.

Proof Required: Provide a marriage certificate and evidence of your relationship, such as photos, joint accounts, or letters.

Sponsoring Your Common-Law Partner

Definition: Your common-law partner isn’t legally married to you, can be of either sex, must be at least 18 years old, and must have lived with you in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months without long periods apart (short, temporary absences are okay).

Proof Required: Submit documents like a Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Questionnaire, proof of shared expenses (e.g., utility bills, leases), photos, and evidence you’re recognized as a couple (e.g., joint insurance or employment benefits).

If the relationship ends, it’s considered over for sponsorship purposes.

Sponsoring Your Conjugal Partner

Definition: A conjugal partner isn’t legally married to you or in a common-law relationship, can be of either sex, must be at least 18 years old, has been in a committed relationship with you for at least one year, lives outside Canada, and faces significant barriers to living together or marrying (e.g., immigration issues, cultural or religious restrictions, or persecution due to sexual orientation).

Proof Required: Show evidence of a genuine relationship (e.g., emotional and financial ties, efforts to reunite) and proof of barriers (e.g., refused visa applications or legal documentation of restrictions).

Conjugal sponsorship applications must be submitted outland.

Sponsoring Your Dependent Children

• Definition: A dependent child must be:
  • Under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship, OR
  • 22 years or older, unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition, and financially dependent on you since before age 22.
• Additional Rules:
  • If the child has their own child (your grandchild), the grandchild can be included as a dependant.
  • If you’re sponsoring a child without sponsoring your spouse or partner, the child is the principal applicant, and you must show the other parent or legal guardian agrees to their immigration (via Form IMM 5604 and their ID). If this isn’t possible (e.g., the other parent’s whereabouts are unknown), include a letter of explanation.
  • Canadian citizens cannot sponsor a child who is already a Canadian citizen (e.g., a child born abroad to a Canadian parent). Check citizenship status first.
• Proof Required: Provide birth certificates, adoption papers (if applicable), and medical exams for the child.

Eligibility of the Person You’re Sponsoring

The person you’re sponsoring must:

• Pass background, security, and medical checks.
• Not be inadmissible to Canada (e.g., due to criminal history, health risks, or misrepresentation).
• Provide all required documents, including biometrics (fingerprints and photo), during processing.

How to Apply for Sponsorship: Step-by-Step

Now that you know the eligibility rules, here’s how to apply:

Check Eligibility: Ensure both you and the person you’re sponsoring meet all requirements.

Download the Application Package: Get the forms and guide from the IRCC website.

Complete the Forms: Fill out the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344), and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008).

Both you and the person you’re sponsoring must digitally sign the forms.

Pay the Fees: Pay online through the IRCC portal.

Fees include the sponsorship fee, processing fee, Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and biometrics fee.

Submit the Application: Follow the guide’s instructions to submit online via the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal.

Link your application to an online account for updates.

Provide Supporting Documents: Upload documents like marriage or birth certificates, photos, police certificates, and proof of your relationship or financial stability.

Attend Biometrics Appointment: The person you’re sponsoring (and any dependants 18 or older) must provide biometrics after applying.

Wait for a Decision: IRCC will review your application. You may be asked for additional documents or an interview if there are concerns about the relationship’s authenticity.

Why Choose Canada for Family Reunification?

Canada’s commitment to family reunification makes it a top destination for immigrants.

With a target of welcoming 114,000 family-class immigrants in 2024, and similar goals for 2025, the country prioritizes keeping families together.

The sponsorship program is straightforward, with clear steps and support for inland and outland applicants.

Whether you’re bringing your spouse, partner, or child, Canada offers a pathway to a new life together.

By following this guide, you’re well on your way to reuniting with your loved ones in Canada.

If you need help, consider consulting a trusted immigration professional to ensure your application is successful.

Start your sponsorship journey today and build your future in Canada!

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