Canada’s spousal/partner sponsorship program lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. It’s one of the more forgiving family-class categories — spousal sponsorship is exempt from the income test that applies to most other family sponsorships — but the process still runs well over a year in most cases, and getting the relationship evidence right matters more here than almost anywhere else in Canadian immigration.
Who can sponsor
Per IRCC’s Guide 5289, the sponsor must be:
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18 or older
- Not currently receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability — this makes you ineligible to sponsor, and if your sponsored spouse later needs social assistance, you’re responsible for repaying it
Unlike sponsoring a parent or grandparent (which requires meeting a minimum income threshold, as in our Super Visa guide), spousal and partner sponsorship has no minimum necessary income requirement — a deliberate policy choice recognizing that spouses should be able to build a life together in Canada regardless of the sponsor’s income level. No co-signer is permitted on a spousal sponsorship application.
Inland vs outland: which should you choose?
- Inland (In-Canada class): your spouse/partner is living in Canada with you while the application is processed. Inland applicants may be able to apply for a work permit alongside their sponsorship application, but current eligibility for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) has narrowed in recent policy updates — IRCC restricted SOWP eligibility for some categories of applicants in January 2025 and again in March 2026. Confirm your specific eligibility on the current IRCC SOWP page before assuming an open work permit is available, since the rules have been in flux.
- Outland (Family Class from outside Canada): your spouse/partner applies from outside Canada, which is often the faster route on paper, and doesn’t require them to be physically present with you while the case processes — though outland applicants can typically still visit Canada during processing on a visitor visa or eTA.
Fees (CAD, 2026)
Per IRCC’s fee schedule, last updated 30 April 2026:
- Sponsorship fee: $90
- Principal applicant processing fee: $570
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $600
- Biometrics: $85 per person (family maximum applies)
That’s roughly $1,345 CAD total for a spouse with no accompanying children. If you’re applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit alongside, budget an additional $255 for that permit.
Processing times
As of mid-2026, IRCC’s published processing times run around 16 months for outland applications and 25 months for inland applications (outside Quebec) to finalize 80% of complete cases — Quebec cases run longer, around 31–32 months, since they involve an additional provincial step. Processing splits into two phases: sponsor eligibility approval (roughly 1–3 months), followed by the sponsored person’s permanent residence assessment (medical exam, background and security checks). Check the live IRCC processing times tool for your specific application type before planning around a fixed date, since these figures move.
Required documents
The core form is IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking), signed by both sponsor and applicant. Beyond the forms, you’ll need to build a genuine-relationship evidence file: valid marriage certificate (or proof of common-law/conjugal partnership), photos together over time, evidence of shared finances or a shared address where applicable, communication records, and any other proof your relationship is real and ongoing — this is the single area IRCC scrutinizes most closely. The full checklist is in IMM 5771 alongside Guide 5289.
Common reasons for refusal
- Insufficient proof of a genuine, ongoing relationship — a thin evidence file is the most common reason spousal cases get refused or delayed with additional document requests
- Misrepresentation — providing false or misleading information, including omissions, can result in refusal and a multi-year inadmissibility bar
- Incomplete forms or missing documents, which can cause your application to be returned under IRCC’s completeness check before it’s even assessed
FAQ
Do I need to meet an income requirement to sponsor my spouse? No — spousal and partner sponsorship is exempt from IRCC’s minimum necessary income test, unlike sponsoring a parent, grandparent, or most other family-class relatives.
Can I work in Canada while my inland sponsorship is processing? Possibly, via a Spousal Open Work Permit — but eligibility has tightened in recent policy changes. Confirm current SOWP eligibility directly on IRCC’s website for your situation before relying on it.
Is outland faster than inland? Based on current published IRCC processing times, outland (~16 months) has generally been running faster than inland (~25 months) — but both are averages, and individual cases vary with completeness and complexity.
What if my spouse is inadmissible to Canada? Criminal or medical inadmissibility can complicate or block a sponsorship; this is a case-specific legal question, so consult an authorized immigration professional if it applies to your situation.
This is general preparation guidance, not legal advice — fees, processing times, and work permit eligibility change, so confirm current details on canada.ca before applying. If you’re preparing a spousal sponsorship application, join the VisaMet waitlist for help organizing your relationship evidence and document checklist.