Spousal sponsorship lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident bring their husband, wife, or partner to Canada as a permanent resident. If your relationship is genuine and you meet the eligibility rules, it is one of the most reliable routes to reunite a family in Canada.
This page covers who qualifies, inland versus outland, the current 2026 immigration fees and processing times, the step-by-step process, and the questions we are asked most often. Not married? You may still qualify through common-law or same-sex partner sponsorship.
Last updated 2026. Government fees and processing times are set by IRCC and can change; always confirm current figures on the IRCC website before applying.
Not sure if you qualify? Check in about a minute.
Answer a few quick questions and see whether you may be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner, including common-law and same-sex partners.
The couple
Who can sponsor and who can be sponsored
The sponsor must
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be self-sufficient and not receiving social assistance
- Be able to support the applicant
- Reside in Canada, or show intent to reside in Canada
The applicant must
- Be your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be admissible to Canada
- Be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor
Your route
Inland vs outland spousal sponsorship
Which route you use is separate from which relationship type you apply under. Here is how the two compare.
| Inland | Outland | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the applicant lives | In Canada, living with the sponsor | Usually abroad, but can also be in Canada |
| Open work permit | Eligible while the application is processed | Not available through this route |
| Appeal right if refused | No appeal right | Right of appeal is generally preserved |
| Travel during processing | Risky; may lose maintained status if you leave | More freedom to travel |
| Typical processing time (2026) | Up to about 25 months | About 16 months |
Immigration fees
Spousal sponsorship immigration fees in 2026
These are the government fees you pay to IRCC for a spousal sponsorship in 2026. Legal fees are separate and quoted at consultation.
Fees can be paid online through IRCC, and a copy of the receipt should be included with the application. Always confirm current amounts on the IRCC fee list before paying.
Timelines
Spousal sponsorship processing time in 2026
These are approximate 2026 IRCC figures for applicants outside Quebec. Times vary by visa office and are updated regularly, so check the IRCC processing times tool and our guide to spousal sponsorship processing times. The most common cause of delay is an application returned for missing information, which a complete, well-prepared package avoids.
Step by step
The spousal sponsorship process
From first document to permanent residence, here is what a spousal sponsorship looks like.
Gather documents and forms
Collect every required document and complete all forms for both the sponsor and the applicant. Our document checklist covers what you need.
Review and submit
Upload the documents and forms to the online PR portal, review the full application, and submit it to IRCC.
Completeness check and AOR
IRCC checks that the application is complete and issues an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Medical and background checks
IRCC requests biometrics and a medical exam, and completes background and security checks, usually within a few months of submission.
Eligibility assessment
IRCC assesses the sponsor’s eligibility, the applicant’s admissibility, and whether the relationship is genuine.
Confirmation of permanent residence
If approved, an inland applicant is confirmed as a permanent resident through the PR portal. An outland applicant is issued a permanent resident visa, usually after a passport request from the visa office.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sponsor a spouse in Canada in 2026?
In 2026 the government fees are $1,260 for the combined sponsorship fee, processing fee and Right of Permanent Residence Fee, plus $85 for biometrics, for a total of about $1,345. Each dependent child included is $180. Fees are set by IRCC and should be confirmed on the official IRCC fee list before paying.
How long does spousal sponsorship take to process in 2026?
Spousal sponsorship applications take roughly 16 months for outland applications and up to 25 months for inland applications, based on 2026 IRCC figures for applicants outside Quebec. Times vary by visa office, so check the IRCC processing times tool and our detailed guide to spousal sponsorship processing times. A complete, well-documented application is the best way to avoid delays.
Is there a minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship?
No. There is no minimum income requirement for a spousal sponsorship, unless the person you are sponsoring has a dependent child. The sponsor is generally expected to show they are employed and have filed income taxes, but no set income threshold applies.
Can my spouse work in Canada during the sponsorship process?
Yes. Spouses and common-law partners can apply for an open work permit while an inland sponsorship is processed, provided they have submitted the sponsorship application and hold valid temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker.
Can I sponsor a partner who has no immigration status in Canada?
Yes. A foreign national living in Canada with no immigration status can be sponsored under the spousal or common-law program and, if approved, receive permanent residence. It is important to speak with an immigration lawyer about the details and eligibility.
What happens if my application is returned as incomplete?
Applications are returned as incomplete when required information or documents are missing, which can delay processing by months. Getting the application complete and correct the first time, ideally with a lawyer’s guidance, avoids this.
What forms are required for a spousal sponsorship application?
Core forms include the Document Checklist (IMM 5533), the Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344), the Generic Application Form (IMM 0008), Additional Family Information (IMM 5406), the Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283) where applicable, the Background Declaration (IMM 5669), and the Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire (IMM 5532). See our full spousal sponsorship document checklist.
What supporting evidence proves a genuine relationship?
Common proof of a genuine relationship includes joint bank or financial accounts, a joint residential lease, a mortgage or property purchase agreement, affidavits from people who know the relationship is genuine, and other supporting evidence.
What is the most important document for a spousal sponsorship?
A marriage certificate is the most important document to prove a marriage. IRCC accepts only a Certificate of Marriage, which is different from a marriage licence or a record of solemnization. A lawyer can help expedite the marriage certificate.
Can I stay in and leave Canada during the sponsorship process?
You can stay in Canada while an inland application is processed as long as you maintain valid temporary resident status. Leaving is risky: re-entry is not guaranteed, and anyone on maintained status under an open work permit loses that status once they leave. A permanent resident sponsor must remain in Canada during processing.
Can I sponsor a spouse while living outside Canada?
If you are a permanent resident living outside Canada, you cannot sponsor. If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you can sponsor a spouse but must show you intend to live in Canada when your partner becomes a permanent resident.
What are the obligations of a spousal sponsorship?
You sign an undertaking to provide for your partner’s basic and health needs for three years. If they receive social assistance during that period you must repay the full amount. The undertaking stays in effect even if your relationship ends, your partner becomes a citizen, or you experience financial difficulty.
Can I bring my partner’s children to Canada?
Yes. A dependent child who is under 22 and unmarried, or 22 or older and dependent because of a physical or mental condition, can be included. All children must be listed on the application even if they are not accompanying, or the right to sponsor them later may be lost. This is tied to the R117(9)(d) family exclusion rule.
If my application is refused, can I apply again?
Yes. Unless your decision letter states otherwise, you may reapply for spousal sponsorship. Reapplying is often the most efficient way to move forward, and avoiding the most common sponsorship errors improves your chances.
How do I prepare for a spousal sponsorship interview?
Interviews assess whether the relationship is genuine. Provide accurate information that is consistent with your application, be ready to discuss your relationship and personal life, and consider having an immigration lawyer review your file and prepare you beforehand.
Can I cancel my spousal sponsorship application?
You may withdraw your sponsorship application at any time before the person you are sponsoring becomes a permanent resident. A refund may be possible if the government has not yet started processing your application.
Is there a difference between sponsoring a husband and a wife?
No. The forms, fees and requirements are identical whether you sponsor a husband or a wife.
Can I sponsor my gay or same-sex partner?
Yes. Same-sex partners have the same options as anyone else. See our dedicated page on same-sex and LGBTQ2+ partner sponsorship.
What is the lonely Canadian category?
Also called the Other Relative program, the lonely Canadian rule lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has no spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent or other sponsorable relative sponsor one extended blood relative, such as a sibling, adult child, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
Do you offer a spousal sponsorship application review?
Yes. For couples who have prepared their own application, MM Immigration Law offers a review service that checks all forms and supporting documents for completeness before you submit, reducing the risk of delays or refusal.
How do I know if I qualify to sponsor my spouse?
The fastest way is our free Spousal Sponsorship Eligibility Checker. It asks a few quick questions about your status, your relationship and your partner, then shows whether you likely qualify and which route fits, in about a minute. It is confidential and there is no obligation. For a definitive answer, we review your full situation at a consultation.
Hire an expert spousal sponsorship lawyer in Toronto
Spousal sponsorship can be complex, and one small mistake can lead to delays or refusal. At MM Immigration Law we handle spousal applications from start to finish and tailor each one to your situation.
- Tailored applications. We build your application around your circumstances, not a template.
- Full document review. We review all forms and supporting evidence for accuracy and completeness.
- Expert drafting and submissions. We draft the forms, letters and legal submissions that strengthen your case.
- We handle IRCC. We manage all correspondence with immigration authorities and keep you updated at each stage.
We also offer an application review service for couples who have prepared their own application and want a professional check before submitting. Contact MM Immigration Law to schedule a consultation.