Question 1

What is Canada Spousal Sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

Canada Spousal Sponsorship is a Family Class permanent residence pathway that lets a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian PR. The sponsor signs a legal undertaking to support the sponsored partner for 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident.

Question 2

Who can sponsor a spouse or partner for Canada PR?

Accepted Answer

A sponsor must be at least 18 years old and must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act. Permanent residents must live in Canada to sponsor. Canadian citizens living abroad may sponsor if they show they will return to Canada when the sponsored partner becomes a permanent resident. Sponsors can be refused if they are in default on a previous undertaking, under a removal order, an undischarged bankrupt, receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability, or barred because of certain criminal convictions.

Question 3

Who can be sponsored under spousal sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

You can sponsor a legally married spouse, a common-law partner who has lived with you continuously for at least 12 months in a marriage-like relationship, or a conjugal partner when marriage or cohabitation has not been possible because of major legal, immigration, religious, or social barriers. The relationship must be genuine and must not have been entered into mainly for immigration purposes.

Question 4

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

Inland sponsorship is used when the sponsored spouse or partner is living in Canada with valid temporary status, such as visitor, worker, or student status. Inland applicants may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit while PR is in process. Outland sponsorship is generally used when the sponsored partner lives outside Canada, including in India, or when the applicant needs more travel flexibility during processing. Outland refusals may have appeal rights at the Immigration Appeal Division, while inland refusals usually do not.

Question 5

How much does Canada Spousal Sponsorship cost?

Accepted Answer

The core IRCC fee to sponsor a spouse or partner is CAD 1,205, made up of the CAD 85 sponsorship fee, CAD 545 principal applicant processing fee, and CAD 575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Most applicants also pay a CAD 85 biometrics fee, bringing the typical adult total to CAD 1,290. Dependent children included with the spouse or partner cost CAD 175 per child. Fees can change, so applicants should verify the current IRCC fee list before paying.

Question 6

How long does spousal sponsorship take from India?

Accepted Answer

IRCC publishes current processing times online and updates them regularly. Spousal or partner sponsorship from outside Canada is commonly planned around a 12-month service standard, but the live estimate can move depending on application volume, completeness, biometrics, medicals, background checks, and whether IRCC requests an interview or additional documents. Processing starts once IRCC receives a complete application.

Question 7

Is there a minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

There is usually no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, unless the sponsored partner has dependent children who have dependent children of their own. Even without a fixed income threshold, the sponsor must show they can provide basic financial support and must not be receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability. Quebec sponsors follow separate provincial undertaking rules with MIFI.

Question 8

What documents prove a genuine spousal relationship?

Accepted Answer

Strong relationship proof can include a marriage certificate, wedding photos, family photos, communication history, travel records, joint leases, joint bank accounts, shared bills, insurance policies, money transfers, affidavits from family or friends, and a clear relationship timeline. Common-law partners should focus on 12 months of continuous cohabitation evidence, such as lease agreements, mail at the same address, shared expenses, and joint household records.

Question 9

Can a sponsored spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR?

Accepted Answer

Many inland spousal sponsorship applicants can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit after submitting the PR application and receiving the required acknowledgement or eligibility stage requested by IRCC's instructions. A Spousal Open Work Permit is not tied to one employer and can help the applicant work legally in Canada while the PR application is being processed.

Question 10

Can spousal sponsorship be refused?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Common refusal reasons include weak proof that the relationship is genuine, inconsistencies in the relationship history, missing documents, undeclared family members, inadmissibility for medical, criminal, or security reasons, sponsor ineligibility, or evidence that the marriage or partnership was entered into mainly for immigration purposes. A complete application with organized relationship evidence reduces refusal risk.

Canada Spousal Sponsorship FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions.
Clear answers.

What is Canada Spousal Sponsorship?

Who can sponsor a spouse or partner for Canada PR?

Who can be sponsored under spousal sponsorship?

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

How much does Canada Spousal Sponsorship cost?

How long does spousal sponsorship take from India?

Is there a minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship?

What documents prove a genuine spousal relationship?

Can a sponsored spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR?

Can spousal sponsorship be refused?

Ready to sponsor your spouse for Canada PR?

Canada Spousal Sponsorship FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Common questions. Clear answers.

What is Canada Spousal Sponsorship?

Who can sponsor a spouse or partner for Canada PR?

Who can be sponsored under spousal sponsorship?

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

How much does Canada Spousal Sponsorship cost?

How long does spousal sponsorship take from India?

Is there a minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship?

What documents prove a genuine spousal relationship?

Can a sponsored spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR?

Can spousal sponsorship be refused?

Ready to sponsor your spouse for Canada PR?

Common questions.
Clear answers.