How Do I Sponsor My Spouse or Common-Law Partner to Canada?
If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older, you can usually sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for permanent residence. You apply online, and IRCC assesses both you as the sponsor and your partner's application. Government fees total about $1,260 plus biometrics. You promise to support your partner financially for 3 years after they become a permanent resident, and in most cases there's no minimum income requirement.
Who can sponsor?
To sponsor a spouse or partner, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act.
- Live in Canada. A citizen living abroad can sponsor if they show they'll live in Canada when their partner becomes a permanent resident. A permanent resident living abroad can't sponsor.
- Sign an undertaking and a sponsorship agreement.
Who counts as a spouse or partner?
| Relationship | What IRCC requires |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married to you, at least 18, in a genuine relationship |
| Common-law partner | Not married, but has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months |
| Conjugal partner | In an exclusive relationship with you for at least 1 year, living outside Canada, and unable to live with you or marry you for legal, immigration, religious or similar reasons |
Any gender qualifies. In every case, the relationship must be genuine and not entered into mainly for immigration.
Who can't sponsor?
You may not be able to sponsor if, for example, you:
- Were sponsored as a spouse or partner yourself and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago.
- Sponsored a previous spouse or partner and 3 years haven't passed since they became a permanent resident.
- Receive social assistance for a reason other than disability.
- Are behind on court-ordered family support, an immigration loan or a past sponsorship undertaking.
- Are an undischarged bankrupt, in prison, under a removal order, or were convicted of certain violent, sexual or family-related offences.
Inside Canada or outside Canada: which application?
| Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class | Family Class (outside Canada) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Partners living with you in Canada with valid status | Partners living outside Canada, or who will travel during processing |
| Open work permit | Your partner may qualify while waiting | Not available through this route |
| Appeal if refused | No appeal; partner must leave at the end of their stay | Sponsor can appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board |
| Conjugal partners | Not allowed | Must use this class |
Which class is right depends on where your partner lives, whether they want to travel, and how strong your application is. This choice is worth getting advice on.
Can my partner work while we wait?
Often, yes. A sponsored spouse or partner who is living with you in Canada may apply for an open work permit once they receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) for their permanent residence application. They need valid temporary status (or maintained status). If their current permit expires within two weeks, they may be able to apply before the AOR arrives.
Step by step: how to apply
- Confirm you're eligible to sponsor and that your relationship meets IRCC's definition.
- Choose the right class: in Canada or Family Class.
- Gather documents: proof of status, marriage certificate or proof of 12 months living together, relationship evidence, identity documents and police certificates.
- Complete the forms online. Applications must be submitted online, including the sponsorship forms and your partner's permanent residence forms.
- Pay the fees and submit.
- Give biometrics when asked, and complete the medical exam when IRCC requests it.
- Respond quickly to any request for more information or an interview.
Police certificates are needed for every country other than Canada where your partner lived for 6 months or more in a row since turning 18.
How much does it cost?
| Fee (from April 30, 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | $90 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $570 |
| Right of permanent residence fee | $600 |
| Total government fees | $1,260 |
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 |
There are extra fees for dependent children. Medical exams, police certificates and translations are paid separately. The right of permanent residence fee is refunded if your partner doesn't become a permanent resident.
What am I promising as a sponsor?
You sign an undertaking promising to support your partner financially for 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident. That includes food, shelter, clothing and health needs not covered by public health care. If they receive social assistance during that time, you may have to repay it.
The undertaking can't be cancelled once your partner is a permanent resident, even if your relationship changes.
Common sponsorship mistakes we see
- Thin relationship evidence. A marriage certificate alone often isn't enough. Show your shared life: photos, communication, joint finances, travel.
- Applying common-law too early. You need 12 continuous months living together, and you must be able to prove it.
- Choosing the wrong class. An in-Canada application has no appeal if refused.
- Missing documents. Incomplete applications are returned without processing.
Every situation is different. Book a consultation with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, for a review of yours.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?
Generally no. An income requirement only applies if your spouse or partner has a dependent child who has children of their own.
Can I sponsor my spouse if I'm a permanent resident living outside Canada?
No. Permanent residents must live in Canada to sponsor. Canadian citizens abroad can sponsor if they show they'll live in Canada when their partner becomes a permanent resident.
How long do we need to live together to apply as common-law partners?
At least 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship. Short periods apart for work or family reasons are allowed.
Can my spouse work in Canada while the sponsorship is processing?
If they live with you in Canada and have valid status, they can usually apply for an open work permit once they receive their acknowledgement of receipt.
What happens to the undertaking if we separate?
It continues. Once your partner becomes a permanent resident, you remain financially responsible for the full 3 years, even if the relationship ends.
Fact-checked: Based on IRCC's Check if you're eligible, Who you can sponsor, What it means to be a sponsor and Open work permit pages, IRCC Guide IMM 5289, and IRCC's fee changes effective April 30, 2026. Verified October 28, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
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