Immigration Program Sponsorship of Spouses and Children
Sponsorship of spouses and children to Canada
Family Sponsorship Program is created to reunite families by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor loved ones to move to Canada.
The ability to sponsor a spouse, partner or children to become a permanent resident in Canada is subject to several conditions.
You can become a sponsor if:
You are at least 18 years old
You are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
You are a resident of Canada or you are a Canadian citizen living abroad with the intention of returning to Canada when your spouse becomes a permanent resident
You do not receive social assistance (other than disability benefits)
You can provide for the basic needs of yourself and your sponsored spouse
You will not be able to sponsor a relative if:
- You have already sponsored a previous spouse and three years have not passed since them
- You have failed to fulfill your obligations to repay social assistance previously received by sponsors
- You have outstanding immigration loans or alimony
- You have been convicted of violent crimes
- You are under a deportation order or serving time in prison
Approved Relationship Types for Sponsorship (Same or Different Sex)
Spouse: A formal marriage recognized as legal in Canada and the country where it took place
Civil partner (common-law partner): Relationship with cohabitation of at least one year
Non-cohabiting partner (conjugal partner): A relationship of at least one year in which it is not possible to legally marry or live together. Reasons may include persecution, legal restrictions, inability to divorce in the country of residence, or lack of recognition of same-sex marriage.
Start the process of reuniting with your loved ones in Canada
Important: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements may change, please check the official resources for up-to-date information.
Answers to frequently asked questions
A complete list of government fees can be found on the official website of IRCC.
Processing times vary depending on the type of application submitted.
Information on processing times can be checked at official website.
Your spouse's dependents and their dependents may be included in the application.
A dependent is defined as a person under the age of 22 who is unmarried, or a person over the age of 22 who is financially dependent on a parent due to a physical or mental disability.
Marriages performed by proxy, telephone or internet, where one or both participants were not physically present at the ceremony, are not recognized for immigration purposes.
No, you must be a permanent resident or citizen at the time of applying for sponsorship.
Yes, you can sponsor your spouse even if he or she does not have a valid immigration status in Canada.
There are two types of spousal sponsorship:
- Inland - Sponsorship within Canada - Available to couples who live together in Canada
- Outland - Sponsorship outside of Canada - is for sponsored spouses who are outside of Canada
Yes, if you are a Canadian citizen and can demonstrate your intention to return to Canada when your sponsored relatives obtain permanent residence. This rule does not apply to permanent residents, who must apply from within Canada.
No, you must wait until you are married to apply for sponsorship. However, you can apply for sponsorship as a common-law partner if you have lived together for at least 12 months. In exceptional cases, you can apply for sponsorship as a conjugal partner.
In some cases it may be possible to sponsor a common-law partner if your marriage has broken down, you have been living separately from your spouse for more than a year and you were living with your common law partner during that time.
Yes, your spouse may be eligible for an Open Work Permit while waiting for a sponsorship decision.
If you are sponsoring a spouse or child, there is no minimum income requirement (MNI) (the exception is if your spouse has a dependent who also has a child, or you are sponsoring a child who has a dependent of their own). However, you must prove that you can provide for yourself and your sponsored persons (basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, etc.)
Current MNI amounts can be found at official website.
- For spouse/common-law partner - 3 years from the date of receiving permanent residence
- For children over 22 years old - 3 years
- For children under 22 years old - 10 years or until reaching 25 years old
The commitment remains in effect for the agreed period, even if your situation changes. It is not cancelled even if:
- sponsored person receives citizenship
- you are getting divorced or separated
- you or the sponsored person are moving
- you are experiencing financial difficulties