Spousal Sponsorship 2026 Guide

Important: Immigration requirements, fees and processing information can change. The information in this guide is based on current guidance published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and should be checked against the official Canada.ca website before submitting an application.

What is spousal sponsorship in Canada?

Spousal sponsorship is part of Canada’s family sponsorship program. It allows an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor an eligible spouse or partner for Canadian permanent residence.

The program covers three main relationship categories:

• Spouse

• Common-law partner

• Conjugal partner

The relationship must meet the requirements established by IRCC. The sponsored person and applicable family members must also meet Canada’s permanent residence requirements, including applicable medical, security and background requirements.

IRCC states that the relationship must be genuine and not entered into primarily for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident status.

Who can sponsor a spouse or partner?

To sponsor a spouse or partner, you generally must:

• be at least 18 years old;

• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act;

• live in Canada; and

• meet the applicable sponsorship requirements.

A Canadian citizen who is living outside Canada may be able to sponsor a spouse or partner if they can demonstrate that they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.

A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor a spouse or partner.

There are also circumstances in which a person may not be eligible to sponsor. For example, certain previous sponsorship obligations or an existing sponsorship application can affect eligibility.

Do you need a minimum income to sponsor your spouse?

In most cases, there is no minimum necessary income requirement when sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child.

However, the sponsor must still meet the applicable financial responsibilities and demonstrate that they can provide for the basic needs of the people being sponsored. Quebec has additional requirements that may apply to sponsors living there.

Who can be sponsored?

IRCC recognizes three primary relationship categories for spouse and partner sponsorship.

1. Spouse

Your spouse must:

• be legally married to you;

• be at least 18 years old;

• be in a genuine relationship with you; and

• not be inadmissible to Canada.

The marriage must be legally valid under the applicable laws.

IRCC also applies specific requirements when the marriage took place outside Canada, so applicants should review the official document and eligibility requirements for their circumstances.

2. Common-law partner

A common-law partner is someone who is not legally married to you but has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

IRCC explains that the couple must have lived together continuously for one year, although short and temporary periods apart may be acceptable in certain circumstances.

The relationship must also be genuine and the sponsored person must not be inadmissible to Canada.

Applicants should be prepared to provide documents and evidence demonstrating the common-law relationship.

3. Conjugal partner

A conjugal partner is different from a spouse or common-law partner.

IRCC’s requirements include an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship that has existed for at least one year. The partner must live outside Canada and must generally be unable to live with the sponsor or marry the sponsor because of significant legal, immigration, social, cultural or other barriers.

Conjugal partner sponsorship has specific requirements and is not simply an alternative to marriage or common-law status when a couple could reasonably marry or live together.

Spousal sponsorship: Outland vs. in-Canada applications

Depending on your circumstances, a spouse or common-law partner application may be submitted under different classes.

Family Class

The Family Class may apply when the sponsored person lives outside Canada or when other circumstances make this class appropriate.

IRCC also states that Family Class applications can be relevant where the applicant plans to appeal a refusal. Conjugal partner applications are submitted under the Family Class.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class

This class may apply when the spouse or common-law partner is living with the sponsor in Canada and has valid temporary resident status, or is covered by an applicable public policy.

The correct class depends on the applicant’s circumstances. Applicants should review the current IRCC guide before selecting the class of application.

How to apply for spousal sponsorship in Canada

A spouse or partner sponsorship application involves both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application.

Step 1: Confirm sponsor eligibility

Before preparing the application, confirm that the sponsor meets IRCC’s requirements.

This includes reviewing:

• age;

• citizenship or permanent resident status;

• residence in Canada;

• previous sponsorship obligations;

• financial responsibilities; and

• any other applicable eligibility restrictions.

Step 2: Confirm the relationship category

Determine whether the applicant is being sponsored as:

• a spouse;

• a common-law partner; or

• a conjugal partner.

Choosing the correct category is important because each relationship type has different requirements.

Step 3: Review the application guide and document checklist

IRCC provides an official application guide and document checklist for spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partner sponsorship.

Applicants should carefully review the current checklist because required documents can vary depending on the circumstances of the sponsor and applicant.

A complete application can help avoid delays caused by missing information or documents.

Step 4: Complete the required forms

The sponsorship package includes forms for both the sponsor and the person applying for permanent residence.

Applicants should make sure that information is consistent across the forms and supporting documents.

Information such as names, dates, addresses, relationship history and family information should be carefully reviewed before submission.

Step 5: Provide relationship evidence

IRCC assesses whether a relationship is genuine.

Depending on the relationship category and circumstances, supporting evidence may include documentation demonstrating the history and nature of the relationship.

The appropriate evidence depends on the individual case. Applicants should follow the current IRCC document checklist and instructions rather than relying on a generic list of documents.

Step 6: Pay the required fees

IRCC’s current fee information lists the fee to sponsor a spouse or partner at CAN$1,260, including the sponsorship fee, processing fee and right of permanent residence fee.

The amount is different if the right of permanent residence fee is not paid at the same time. Dependent children may also require additional fees.

Because immigration fees can change, applicants should verify the current amount on IRCC’s official fee page before submitting an application.

Step 7: Submit the application

The application should be submitted according to the current IRCC instructions.

IRCC emphasizes the importance of submitting a complete application. If an application is incomplete or required fees are missing, IRCC may return it.

What happens after submitting a sponsorship application?

Once IRCC receives a complete application, the processing process can include several stages.

IRCC may:

• issue an application number and acknowledgement of receipt (AOR);

• assess the sponsor’s eligibility;

• assess the sponsored person’s eligibility for permanent residence;

• conduct applicable background and security checks;

• request medical examinations;

• request biometrics where required; and

• request additional information or documents if necessary.

Applicants should monitor communications from IRCC and respond to requests within the specified timeframe.

Are biometrics required for spousal sponsorship?

Biometrics may be required for the person being sponsored.

IRCC states that applicants who are required to provide biometrics will receive a biometric instruction letter. They generally have 30 days from the date of the letter to provide their fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection location.

Canadian citizens and existing permanent residents are generally exempt from providing biometrics in this context.

Applicants should follow the instructions included in their biometric instruction letter.

Is a medical examination required?

The sponsored person and applicable family members may be required to complete medical examinations as part of the permanent residence process.

IRCC assesses whether the person being sponsored and their family members meet Canada’s admissibility requirements. The exact requirements can depend on the application and the individuals involved.

How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?

There is no single processing time that applies to every spousal sponsorship application.

IRCC explains that processing times can vary depending on factors such as:

• the type of application;

• whether the application is complete;

• the number of applications already in the system;

• how easily information can be verified;

• how quickly applicants respond to requests; and

• other processing factors.

For this reason, applicants should check the current IRCC processing-time tool rather than relying on an older processing-time estimate published elsewhere.

Processing times are estimates and should not be treated as a guaranteed decision date.

What is the sponsorship undertaking?

Sponsoring a spouse or partner involves a financial undertaking.

The sponsor commits to providing financial support for the sponsored person during the applicable undertaking period and to making sure they do not need to seek social assistance.

If the sponsored person receives certain social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may have to repay the amount to the government.

The undertaking remains an important responsibility even if the sponsor’s financial or personal circumstances change.

Quebec has additional undertaking requirements for sponsors living in the province. IRCC advises applicants to wait for instructions before submitting the Quebec undertaking application.

Can my spouse work in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed?

In certain circumstances, a spouse or common-law partner living in Canada and being sponsored for permanent residence may be eligible to apply for an open work permit.

IRCC states that the person being sponsored must meet the applicable requirements, including being included in a permanent residence application and having an acknowledgement of receipt confirming that the application is being processed.

Eligibility should be checked against the current IRCC requirements because temporary immigration measures and eligibility rules can change.

What happens if family members were not declared previously?

Applicants should pay particular attention to family-member declarations.

IRCC states that all family members must be declared in a permanent residence application, including family members who are not accompanying the applicant to Canada.

The previous public policy concerning certain undeclared family members ended on September 10, 2026. IRCC will continue applying that policy to eligible applications received between May 31, 2019 and September 10, 2026, but it does not apply to applications submitted after September 10, 2026.

This makes accurate disclosure of family information an important part of a permanent residence application.

Common mistakes to avoid

Spousal sponsorship applications involve detailed forms, supporting documents and eligibility requirements. Common areas that require careful attention include:

• Choosing the wrong relationship category
• Spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partner have different definitions under Canada’s immigration rules.
• Providing inconsistent information
• Dates, addresses, relationship history and other details should be consistent across the application and supporting evidence.
• Missing required documents
• IRCC may return an incomplete application. Always use the current IRCC checklist and instructions when preparing an application.
• Relying on outdated fees or processing times
• Fees and processing information can change. Check the current IRCC pages before submitting an application.
• Assuming every relationship needs the same evidence
• The documents needed to demonstrate a marriage, common-law relationship or conjugal relationship can differ. The evidence should reflect the actual circumstances of the relationship.
  
  Spousal Sponsorship Canada 2026: Quick FAQ
  
  

Who can sponsor a spouse in Canada?

Generally, a sponsor must be at least 18 years old and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act. The sponsor must also meet applicable residence and sponsorship requirements.

Can a permanent resident sponsor a spouse?

Yes. An eligible permanent resident may sponsor a spouse or partner, provided they meet the applicable requirements. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor.

Can a Canadian citizen living outside Canada sponsor a spouse?

A Canadian citizen living outside Canada may sponsor a spouse or partner if they can demonstrate that they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.

How long do you need to live together to be common-law partners?

IRCC generally requires common-law partners to have lived together continuously in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

Is there a minimum income requirement for spouse sponsorship?

In most cases, there is no minimum necessary income requirement when sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child. The sponsor still has financial responsibilities under the undertaking. Different requirements may apply in Quebec.

How much does spousal sponsorship cost in Canada?

IRCC currently lists the spouse or partner sponsorship fee at CAN$1,260, including the sponsorship fee, processing fee and right of permanent residence fee. Additional fees may apply in certain circumstances, including dependent children.

Can my spouse apply for an open work permit?

A spouse or common-law partner living in Canada who is being sponsored for permanent residence may be eligible for an open work permit if the applicable IRCC requirements are met.

Does IRCC check whether a relationship is genuine?

Yes. IRCC requires the relationship to meet the applicable definition and, for spouse and partner sponsorship, to be genuine rather than entered into primarily for obtaining permanent resident status.

Planning to sponsor your spouse or partner?

Spousal sponsorship can involve detailed eligibility requirements, relationship documentation, government forms, fees and ongoing sponsor responsibilities.

If you are preparing to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, reviewing your circumstances before submitting the application can help you understand which requirements apply to you.

Adapt Immigration can help you understand the sponsorship process and the requirements relevant to your circumstances.