Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their opposite-sex or same-sex married Spouses, Common-law Partners, Conjugal Partners and unmarried children under the age of 22 to come to Canada for reunion. After the family reunification application is successful, the sponsor cannot sponsor other applicants again within 3 years and the sponsored person within 5 years.

Program Benefits

Sponsors are not required to provide past tax returns

The Sponsors needs to meet the following conditions:

1. Must be at least 18 years old

2. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident 

3. For reasons other than disability, the sponsor must prove that he has not received social assistance

4. The Sponsors needs to provide the basic needs of the sponsored person for atleast 3 years from the date of permanent residence.

Who can be a Sponsor?

Canada recognizes three different types of partners: Spouses, Common-law partners and Conjugal partners. You can also sponsor your Dependent children.

1) Spouses: need to be legally married to their sponsor, can be of the same or opposite sex, and be over 18 years of age.

2) Common-law partners: need to prove that they have lived together for at least 12 months, can be of the same sex or opposite sex, and are over 18 years of age.

3) Conjugal partners: Live outside of Canada and have been in a common-law relationship with the sponsor for at least one year, either same-sex or opposite-sex, and over the age of 18. They need to prove that there are legal or social barriers preventing them from marrying or living together.

Notice: 

IRCC will check whether your partner is acceptable through medical and background security checks. People with criminal records are generally not allowed to come to Canada, but there may be options for overcoming criminal non-admission.

The immigration officer processing your file will also want to see if you and your partner are in a genuine relationship. They want to admit people who come to Canada for family reunification, not people who get married just for the purpose of Canadian immigration.

Dependent Children

The following 2 conditions must be met:

✅Under 22 years old

✅Unmarried

Dependent children over the age of 22 may also be sponsored, but must meet the following 2 conditions:

✅ Unable to support oneself financially due to mental or physical condition

✅ Relying on parents' financial support until the age of 22

Note: Dependent children must meet these requirements until IRCC completes processing of the application.

Inside Canada Spousal Sponsorship Process

1) The sponsor’s evaluation application and the family member’s permanent residence application are submitted at the same time

2) Immigration Office sends an email to confirm receipt of the application (file number)

3) The sponsor's application qualification is approved

4) Applicant's supplementary documents (if any): supplementary form Schedule A, physical examination and a non-criminal certificate for security investigation, supplementary documents or interviews required by other visa officers according to the situation

5) Receive approval letter/decision letter

6) Receive an appointment letter for inland immigration interview

7) Receive a Permanent Resident Card

Outside Canada Spousal Sponsorship Process

1) The sponsor’s evaluation application and the family member’s permanent residence application are submitted at the same time

2) The sponsor's application qualification is approved

3) Confirmation letter sent by overseas immigration office

4) Applicant's supplementary documents (if any): supplementary form Schedule A, physical examination and a non-criminal certificate for security investigation, supplementary documents or interviews required by other visa officers according to the situation

5) Receive approval letter/decision letter

6) Receive a passport notification by mail

7) Receive landing paper and land in Canada

Application Processing Period:

Around 12 months