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Family Reunification

Spousal & Partner Sponsorship

Bring your spouse or partner to Canada as a permanent resident. The right processing stream — inland or outland — and a thorough, genuine relationship file are the foundations of a successful application.

Spousal and partner sponsorship under the Family Class

Spousal and partner sponsorship is the most commonly filed Family Class application in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a legally married spouse, a common-law partner (documented cohabitation of at least one year), or a conjugal partner (a genuine relationship of at least one year where cohabitation has been impossible due to circumstances beyond the couple's control, such as immigration restrictions or geographic separation). Each relationship type has distinct requirements, and the core assessment at IRCC is whether the relationship is genuine — not primarily entered for an immigration benefit.

Spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner Inland (both in Canada) or outland Spousal Open Work Permit available (inland) No minimum income required Extensive relationship evidence required

Inland vs outland processing

Inland Sponsorship

Both partners must be living together in Canada. The sponsor must be a citizen or PR. The applicant may apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit at the same time. A key restriction: the applicant generally cannot leave Canada without risk to the application unless a travel document is separately obtained.

Outland Sponsorship

Used when the sponsored person lives abroad or when inland processing is not suitable (e.g., the applicant's current immigration status in Canada has expired or lapsed). The applicant must remain outside Canada during processing. Outland allows more freedom of movement for the applicant internationally.

Sponsor eligibility

  • Status Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. Canadian citizens living abroad may sponsor in limited specific circumstances — confirm your situation before applying.
  • Age Must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit.
  • No minimum income requirement Unlike the PGP, there is no minimum income threshold to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. The sponsor does not need to prove they earn a specific amount.
  • No current undertaking in default Not in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking (i.e., a previously sponsored person has not gone on social assistance while still within the undertaking period).
  • No disqualifying criminal convictions Certain criminal convictions — especially those involving violence, sexual offences, or offences against family members — may disqualify a person from being a sponsor under IRPA Regulations.
  • Repeat sponsorship restrictions If you have previously sponsored a spouse or partner in the last five years, or if you were yourself sponsored as a spouse less than five years ago, specific restrictions apply. Verify your eligibility before filing.

Proving a genuine relationship: what officers look for

This is the cornerstone of every spousal sponsorship. Officers assess whether the relationship is genuine and not entered primarily for immigration purposes. Evidence must be consistent, credible, and corroborated. Strong files combine multiple types of evidence:

  • Communication history A consistent record of messages, emails, video calls, and voice calls over time — showing a continuous, ongoing relationship, not just recent activity designed for the application.
  • Photographs Genuine photos of the couple together in varied settings over time — with family, at events, during travels — not just a handful of formal posed images.
  • Financial interdependence Joint bank accounts, joint lease or mortgage agreements, named as beneficiaries on insurance policies, or other shared financial commitments that reflect a genuine partnership.
  • Cohabitation evidence (common-law) At least one continuous year of living together: a jointly signed lease, shared utility bills at the same address, mail addressed to both at the same address, and statutory declarations confirming cohabitation.
  • Knowledge of each other Both the Relationship Questionnaire (IMM 5532) from each partner independently and any interview must show that the couple genuinely knows each other's background, family, routines, and plans.
  • Third-party affidavits Written statements from people who know the couple — family, friends, colleagues — who can speak to the genuineness of the relationship from their own observations.

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)

Under inland sponsorship, the sponsored person may apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) concurrently with the sponsorship and PR applications. The SOWP allows the sponsored person to work for most eligible employers in Canada while the permanent residence application is processed — without being tied to one specific employer. The SOWP is typically valid for the anticipated duration of PR processing and can be extended if the PR decision is still pending. Approval of the SOWP is not automatic — the application is assessed on its own merits alongside the sponsorship file.

Two-year conditional permanent residence

IRCC may impose a two-year condition on the permanent residence of sponsored spouses or partners where the relationship was less than two years old and there are no children in common at the time of sponsorship approval. During this two-year period, the sponsored person must remain in the genuine relationship with the sponsor. The condition is monitored and, in cases of relationship breakdown within the period, the sponsored person's PR status can be reviewed. The condition does not apply to all sponsorships — speak with us to understand whether it may apply to your file.

Typical application process

  1. 1
    Confirm sponsor eligibility and choose inland or outland Verify the sponsor's status, prior sponsorship history, and any criminal convictions. Decide on inland vs outland based on where the applicant currently lives and their current immigration status in Canada.
  2. 2
    Gather and organize relationship evidence Compile photos, communications, financial documents, cohabitation evidence, and affidavits. Relationship Questionnaires (IMM 5532) are completed independently by both partners.
  3. 3
    Complete sponsorship and PR application forms Declarations in both the sponsorship and PR forms must be accurate and entirely consistent with each other and with all supporting documents.
  4. 4
    Submit both applications with fees Pay the sponsorship fee and the PR application fee (including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee). Inland applicants may also apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit at this stage.
  5. 5
    Medical exam, biometrics, police clearances Sponsored person completes an IRCC-directed medical exam with a panel physician, biometrics, and police clearances from every country where they lived 6+ months since age 18.
  6. 6
    Interview (if requested) and final decision IRCC may request an interview to clarify aspects of the relationship or admissibility. The final decision is communicated through the applicant's IRCC secure portal.
  7. 7
    Landing as a permanent resident Outland: applicant receives COPR and PR visa to enter Canada. Inland: applicant already in Canada completes landing. The PR card is mailed to the Canadian address after landing.

Documents typically needed

  • Sponsor's proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
  • Marriage certificate (if married) — translated into English or French if in another language
  • Proof of cohabitation for at least one year (common-law): joint lease, shared bills, statutory declarations
  • Relationship evidence: photos, communication records, financial documents, and third-party affidavits
  • Completed Relationship Questionnaires (IMM 5532) from both the sponsor and the applicant independently
  • Sponsored person's valid passport
  • Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence for 6+ months since age 18
  • Medical exam results from an IRCC-designated panel physician
  • Biometrics enrollment
  • Prior immigration history: previous visas, refusals, removals, or immigration applications in any country
How we help

Spousal sponsorship refusals almost always stem from insufficient relationship evidence or inconsistencies between the sponsor's and applicant's accounts. We help you build a complete, consistent evidence package — organized by theme and chronology — that tells a coherent story. We review both the sponsorship and PR application forms together before submission, flag contradictions or gaps, and prepare responses to requests for additional information. For previous refusals, we identify the specific concern and address it with targeted new evidence that was missing or inadequate in the prior application.

Spousal Sponsorship — Frequently Asked Questions

Inland spousal sponsorship is for couples where the sponsored partner is already in Canada with valid status. It is processed entirely in Canada and the sponsor can request an open work permit (SOWP) for the sponsored partner while the application is pending. Outland sponsorship is processed at an IRCC visa office and is typically used when the sponsored partner is abroad. Outland processing may be faster in some cases, but inland allows the couple to remain together in Canada throughout.

Spousal sponsorship processing times are published by IRCC and change based on application volumes and staffing. Inland applications have a separate processing time from outland. IRCC has a service standard target for spousal and partner applications, but actual timelines vary. Applications with complete documentation and no issues process faster. An RCIC helps ensure your application is complete from the start to minimize delays.

Under the inland route, a sponsored partner can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) at the same time as the sponsorship application. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada while waiting for PR. The SOWP is typically valid for the duration of the processing period. Under outland processing, the sponsored partner stays abroad and can only come to Canada on a visitor visa while waiting.

IRCC requires evidence of a genuine, ongoing relationship. Strong relationship evidence includes: wedding photos and videos, joint financial documents (shared bank accounts, lease, mortgage), proof of communication (messages, call logs), travel together, letters from family and friends who know the couple, statutory declarations, and shared life events. The more layered and consistent the evidence, the stronger the application.

There is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner to Canada (unlike sponsoring parents). However, sponsors must confirm they are not in receipt of social assistance (other than for disability), are not in default on a previous undertaking or family support order, and have not been convicted of certain offences. Sponsors must still sign an undertaking committing to support the sponsored person.

Yes. Many spousal sponsorship applications involve couples where one partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and the other is in India, including Punjab. The sponsoring partner must be a Canadian citizen or PR who is 18 or older and is not prohibited from sponsoring. We regularly help Canadian residents sponsor their spouses from Punjab and other parts of India through both inland and outland routes.

Sponsorship eligibility rules, relationship definitions, undertaking periods, and conditional PR conditions are set by IRCC under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations and are subject to change. This page is general information only and does not constitute legal advice or guarantee sponsorship or PR approval. Always verify current requirements on the official Government of Canada website.