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Who Can Sponsor Their Spouse for Canadian Permanent Residence?

You can be a sponsor if:

• You are a Canadian citizen, living in Canada or abroad, or
• You are a Canadian permanent resident, living in Canada

If you aren't yet a permanent resident, getting your PR is the first step. If you are in this situation, contact us to see how we can help you get your permanent residence.

What can I do if I am not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident?

If you are currently a full-time student at a Canadian program which is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, then your spouse may be eligible for a visa, and a Spousal Open Work Permit, which will allow them to join you in Canada.

If you are currently a full-time worker in Canada, in an occupation listed as NOC level 0, A, or B, then your spouse may also be eligible for a visa, and a Spousal Open Work Permit.

Permanent Residence will be possible for the whole family once either you or your spouse qualify for a permanent residence program.

Additional Requirements for the Sponsor for Permanent Residence:

To sponsor you also need to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Prove that you can financially support your spouse, and any other dependents, once they get their permanent residence
• Promise to financially take care of all sponsored people for the required period of time.

Who Can be Sponsored to Canadian Permanent Residence?

In order to be sponsored, you need to fall into one of three categories:

1. Spouses: a spouse is someone who is legally married to their sponsor.
2. Common-law Partners: a common-law partner has been living with their sponsor for at least one year, in a marriage-like relationship. They can be living apart, if one year of living together was established previously.
3. Conjugal Partners: a conjugal partner lives outside of Canada in a marriage-like relationship with the sponsor, but is unable to live with them due to factors out of their control.

Including Children in the Sponsorship

If you are being sponsored, you can include your dependent children in the application. A dependent child is defined as:

• Under 22 years old, and without a spouse or common-law partner, or
• Over 22 years old, but has dependent on their parents for support since before 22, and can't support themselves due to a physical or mental condition

Sponsorship Streams

There are two types of spousal sponsorship: Outland and Inland.

Outland Sponsorship

Outland sponsorship is suitable for when the sponsored person resides outside of Canada, or if the sponsor plans to spend time outside of Canada while the application is processing.

Inland Sponsorship

If the sponsored person already has valid status in Canada, they can apply by inland sponsorship. Inland applicants may apply for an open work permit in order to work while their application is processing.

What are the financial requirements?

Unlike Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship, there is no minimum income that needs to be met to sponsor your spouse. However, you need to demonstrate that you will be able to financially support your whole family after they become permanent residents. This is most easily done by proving your current employment, or presenting a viable relocation and support plan.

Proving that the Relationship is Genuine

Proving that you have a genuine relationship is an essential part of the sponsorship application. Some of the main items include:

For spouses: The marriage certificate, and documentation from your wedding.

For common-law partners: Proof that you are living together, and have been so for at least the past year.

In all cases, you need to demonstrate financial interdependence, and the desire to have a shared life together. Additional documentation that may be needed includes  photographs of important moments in the relationship, proof of correspondence and travel together, and support letters from friends and family.

There are some factors that may lead to a closer look at genuineness of the relationship, which means that strong proof should be provided. These factors include:

• A large age gap between partners
• Differences in religion between partners
• Differences in social or economic status between partners
• A short relationship length
• The relationship is not recognized by friends or family
• A history of sponsorship or immigration applications

How Long Does it Take To Sponsor?

The full process usually takes about 12 months. The full processing time depends on many factors, and individual times do vary. The Government of Canada provides estimates of processing times, but these are only general guidelines.

Should I work with a Representative (Lawyer or Consultant)?

Sponsors and applicants have the option to prepare and submit an application by themselves, or to do so with the help of a Canadian lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Sponsors and applicants who can interpret laws and regulations, speak English well, have the necesary free time, and have a straighforward case, may find self-representation to work for them.  Some reasons that people choose to work with a representative are:

Saving valuable time: Self-representing requires numerous hours of research, as rules and regulations are complex, and government guides don't provide full guidance for all situations. A good representative knows what to do, and when to do it, based on their past experience and training.

Reducing stress: Self-representing can lead to many late nights of reading message boards and watching Youtube guides, without being sure of what is good advice and what is bad. Using a representative you trust can help you relax, as they will tell you exactly what needs to be done for your case to be successful.

Avoiding problems and delays: There are many potential problems that can arise from small mistakes. Missing just one signature, or one page of a document can lead to the refusal and return of your application. If your application is weak in a particular area, your application processing may be put hold while more documentation is requested or you are required to attend an interview. A professionally prepared application can avoid these pitfalls.