A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 can usually sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner to become a permanent resident. You apply online, the sponsorship and your partner’s permanent residence application go in as one package, and IRCC looks at both of you. It also has to be satisfied that your relationship is genuine.
The short version
- You must be 18 or older and a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or registered under the Indian Act.
- Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor. Citizens abroad must show they plan to live in Canada.
- In most cases, there is no minimum income to sponsor a spouse or partner.
- You promise to support your partner for 3 years after they become a permanent resident, even if you later separate.
- If your partner lives with you in Canada, you may apply under the in-Canada class. Otherwise, it is the family class.
Who can sponsor a spouse or partner
To be a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and one of the following: a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
Where you live matters. A permanent resident who lives outside Canada cannot sponsor. A Canadian citizen who lives abroad can, but must show they plan to live in Canada once their partner becomes a permanent resident.
Many people worry about income. For a spouse or partner, IRCC does not set a minimum income in most cases. The exception is when a dependent child in the application has children of their own.
When you cannot sponsor
IRCC lists situations that stop a sponsorship. Some of the most common are:
- You were sponsored as a spouse or partner yourself and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago.
- You sponsored a previous spouse or partner, and 3 years have not passed since they became a permanent resident.
- You are behind on court-ordered child or spousal support, or on an immigration loan.
- You receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability.
- You declared bankruptcy and have not been discharged.
- You were convicted of a violent offence, a sexual offence, or an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative.
This list is not complete, and there can be other reasons. If you are unsure about your own history, check before you pay any fees.
Who counts as a spouse or partner
IRCC recognizes three kinds of relationships. In each case, your partner must be at least 18, can be of any gender, and must not be inadmissible to Canada.
| Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Spouse | You are legally married. |
| Common-law partner | You are not married but have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months in a row. Short trips apart for work or family are allowed. |
| Conjugal partner | You have been in a committed relationship for at least 1 year, but your partner lives outside Canada and legal, immigration, social, cultural or religious barriers stop you from living together or marrying. |
For all three, the relationship must be genuine. It cannot be only a way to get permanent resident status, which is why your evidence matters so much.
Dependent children can be included. In general, a child must be under 22 and not have a spouse or partner. An older child may qualify if a physical or mental condition has kept them financially dependent on their parents since before age 22.
A sponsorship is easier to get right the first time than to fix after a refusal. See how we help families with sponsorship.
In-Canada class or family class
You pick one of two classes when you apply. The choice depends on where your partner lives and what happens if the application is refused.
Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
This class is for a spouse or common-law partner who lives with you in Canada and has valid temporary resident status, such as a visitor, student or worker.
Family class
This class is for a partner who lives outside Canada. IRCC’s guide also points sponsors to this class if they plan to appeal a refusal. Conjugal partners must always apply under the family class.
The appeal point is easy to miss. If keeping the option to appeal matters to you, think about it before you choose a class.
What the application involves
Spousal sponsorship applications must be made online. The person being sponsored applies through the Permanent Residence online application portal. A paid representative, such as a lawyer, uses the Representative Portal instead.
The package includes your sponsorship application and your partner’s application for permanent residence. Along the way, IRCC usually asks for:
- Proof of the relationship. IRCC’s document checklist sets out what to send for your type of relationship.
- Biometrics. Your partner gives fingerprints and a photo after getting an instruction letter. Citizens and permanent residents are exempt.
- A medical exam. Your partner and any family members who are not citizens or permanent residents need one, within 30 days of the medical instructions being issued.
- Police certificates. Applicants 18 and over need one from each country outside Canada where they lived for 6 months or more in a row after turning 18.
The 3-year promise
When you sponsor, you sign an undertaking. This is a promise to support your spouse or partner financially for 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident. For a dependent child under 22, it lasts 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
The undertaking does not end if you separate, divorce or your partner becomes a Canadian citizen. If you change your mind before a decision, you can ask to withdraw in writing, but IRCC must approve the withdrawal.
Once your partner becomes a permanent resident, their status has its own rules. Our guide on how to renew a PR card covers the card side of that.
Questions people ask
Do I need a certain income to sponsor my spouse?
Usually not. IRCC only applies an income test for a spouse or partner when a dependent child in the application has their own dependent children.
Can a permanent resident living abroad sponsor a spouse?
No. A permanent resident must be living in Canada to sponsor. Only Canadian citizens can sponsor from outside Canada, and they must show they plan to live in Canada.
What happens to my sponsorship duties if we separate?
They continue. The 3-year undertaking stays in force after separation or divorce, so you remain financially responsible for your former partner for that period.
