In short: Canada's spousal sponsorship program lets an eligible Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence (PR). To be a sponsor you must generally be at least 18 and sign a sponsorship undertaking; a permanent resident sponsoring usually must be living in Canada, while a citizen living abroad may sponsor if the couple will live in Canada once the partner becomes a PR. Importantly, there is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or partner (unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents). This guide explains who qualifies, the government fees you can expect, realistic processing-time ranges, the inland-versus-outland decision, relationship evidence, and the most common reasons applications are refused. Every fee and timeline here can change, so confirm the current figures on the official IRCC website before you rely on them. A visa officer decides each case; this page is educational and is not legal advice.
2026 Processing Times: What to Expect
How long a spousal sponsorship takes depends largely on whether you apply inland (while the sponsored partner is already in Canada with temporary status) or outland (the application is processed through a visa office, whether the partner is abroad or in Canada). IRCC updates its published processing times roughly monthly, and they reflect how long it took to finish 80% of recently completed cases, not a guarantee for your file. In early 2026 the published figures were broadly in the range of about 15 to 16 months for outland and roughly 21 to 25 months for inland (outside Quebec); Quebec cases generally take longer because of the additional provincial review. Because these numbers move, treat the ranges below as a snapshot and check the IRCC processing-times tool for the current estimate before you plan around a date.
| Application Type | Typical 2026 Range (outside Quebec) | Work Authorization While Waiting? |
|---|---|---|
| Outland (visa-office processing) | Roughly 15-16 months | No automatic open work permit; the partner generally travels or maintains their own status |
| Inland (in Canada) | Roughly 21-25 months | Open work permit usually available during processing (see below) |
What this means for you: processing times are affected by visa office workload, biometrics and medical-exam completion, document completeness, and security and background screening. Complex files (for example, prior immigration history or a criminal record) generally take longer. These are estimates, not deadlines; always confirm the current published time on IRCC.
Cost Breakdown: About $1,345 in Government Fees, Plus Medical
For a single spouse or partner applying outside Quebec, IRCC bundles the sponsorship fee, the principal applicant processing fee, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) into one combined amount of $1,260. Add the $85 biometrics fee and you are looking at roughly $1,345 in government fees, before the cost of a medical exam and supporting documents. The breakdown below reflects IRCC fees after the permanent-residence fee increase that took effect April 30, 2026. Fees change periodically, so confirm the current amounts on IRCC before paying:
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Combined IRCC fee (sponsorship + processing + RPRF) | $1,260 | Sponsor and sponsored partner (often paid together) |
| Of which: sponsorship fee | $90 | Sponsor |
| Of which: principal applicant processing fee | $570 | Sponsored partner |
| Of which: Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $600 | Refundable if you withdraw before landing |
| Biometrics | $85/person ($170 family max) | Sponsored partner |
| Medical examination | Varies by clinic/country | Sponsored partner (set by the panel physician, not IRCC) |
| Approximate government-fee total | ~$1,345 + medical | Both, before documents/medical |
What this means for you: the medical exam, police certificates, document translation, notarization, and any lawyer or consultant fees are extra and are not set by IRCC. The RPRF portion is generally refundable if you withdraw before the partner becomes a PR. For a tailored estimate, use our fee calculator.
Inland vs Outland: Which Should You Choose?
This is the most important strategic decision in the spousal sponsorship process. Here is a direct comparison:
| Factor | Inland | Outland |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse location | Must be in Canada at time of application | Anywhere, can be in Canada or abroad |
| Typical processing (2026, outside Quebec) | Roughly 21-25 months | Roughly 15-16 months |
| Open work permit while waiting | Usually available (spouse/common-law partner in Canada class) | No automatic open work permit during processing |
| Travel outside Canada | Risky, may need travel document; if spouse leaves, application may switch to outland | Sponsor can travel freely; spouse applies from abroad |
| Appeal rights (if refused) | Yes: Immigration Appeal Division | Yes: Immigration Appeal Division |
| Best for | Couples who want to live together now and need work authorization | Couples who prioritize speed; spouse can wait abroad |
See our detailed Inland vs Outland guide for a deeper comparison and situation-specific advice. Inland vs Outland guide
Open Work Permit During Inland Processing
A key advantage of applying inland is that the sponsored partner can usually apply for an open work permit (OWP) at the same time as (or shortly after) the sponsorship application. This stream is for partners in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, under IRPR R205(c)(ii); it is separate from the open work permits for family members of temporary workers and students that IRCC narrowed effective January 21, 2025, so do not confuse the two. An open work permit lets the holder work for almost any employer. Eligibility rules and fees change, so confirm the current requirements on IRCC before applying. Key points generally include:
- ✓ The open work permit can usually be applied for together with the inland sponsorship application
- ✓ It generally allows the sponsored partner to work for almost any employer in Canada while the PR application is processed
- ✓ It is typically valid until a decision is made on the PR application
- ✓ Optional government fee: about $255 CAD ($155 work permit fee plus $100 open work permit holder fee); confirm the current amount on IRCC
- ✓ The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act
- ✓ A visa officer decides eligibility; this is educational, not advice
Relationship Evidence Requirements
IRCC requires substantial evidence that the relationship is genuine and was not entered into primarily to acquire an immigration status or privilege (this bad-faith-relationship rule is in IRPR s.4). The strongest applications show a consistent story across several categories rather than relying on photos alone. The standard document checklist generally includes:
Identity & Status
- ✓ Marriage certificate (translated if needed)
- ✓ Proof of sponsor's citizenship or PR status
- ✓ Birth certificates
- ✓ Divorce decrees if previously married
Proof of Relationship
- ✓ Joint bank account statements
- ✓ Joint lease or mortgage
- ✓ Joint utility bills
- ✓ Travel records showing visits together
Communication
- ✓ Chat/messaging history (screenshots)
- ✓ Email history
- ✓ Video call logs
- ✓ Phone records
Photos & Social
- ✓ Photos together over time
- ✓ Social media showing relationship
- ✓ Family/friend reference letters
- ✓ Evidence of cohabitation
Use our Document Checklist tool to generate a detailed list for your circumstances. Document Checklist tool
Common Refusal Reasons: And How to Avoid Them
⚠ Relationship not considered genuine
Submit extensive, varied evidence across multiple categories, not just photos. IRCC looks for proof of cohabitation, shared finances, and long-term communication history.
⚠ Sponsor ineligibility (prior undertaking in default, prior sponsorship in progress, criminal inadmissibility)
Verify sponsor eligibility before applying. Sponsors who are subject to a removal order, in prison, or have defaulted on a prior sponsorship undertaking are ineligible.
⚠ Sponsored spouse's criminal or medical inadmissibility
The sponsored spouse must be admissible to Canada. A criminal record abroad can make the spouse inadmissible; address this with TRP or CR before or alongside the sponsorship.
⚠ Incomplete application or missing documents
Use the official IRCC document checklist and the ClearToEnter Document Checklist tool. Missing documents result in processing delays or refusals.
⚠ Misrepresentation, incorrect information on forms
Under IRPA s.40, misrepresentation can lead to a finding of inadmissibility, commonly a 5-year bar on returning. Answer every question accurately, including previous immigration history, refusals, and any criminal record; if you are unsure how to disclose something, get advice from a licensed professional rather than guessing.
⚠ Sponsor is within the 5-year sponsorship bar
A person who was themselves sponsored as a spouse or partner generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until 5 years after they became a permanent resident (IRPR s.130(3)). If this could apply to you, confirm the timing before applying.
Build your document checklist
Our free tool generates a detailed document checklist for your spousal sponsorship application based on your circumstances.
Generate Document ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my common-law partner, not just my spouse?+
Yes. IRCC recognizes three partner categories: spouses (legally married); common-law partners (two people who have cohabited in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months); and conjugal partners (a relationship of at least one year where the couple could not live together or marry because of an exceptional barrier, such as immigration, marital status, or persecution). The conjugal-partner category is used mainly when a couple cannot qualify as spouses or common-law partners. Each category calls for different evidence that the relationship is genuine.
How long is the sponsorship undertaking?+
Outside Quebec, the undertaking for a sponsored spouse or partner is 3 years from the date the person becomes a permanent resident. For a dependent child under 22, it is generally 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first. Quebec sets its own undertaking lengths, so confirm those separately. During the undertaking period, if the sponsored person receives social assistance, the sponsor may be required to repay those amounts. A visa officer applies these rules; confirm current details on IRCC.
Can the sponsored spouse work while waiting for PR (inland)?+
Usually, yes. A partner applying inland in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class can generally apply for an open work permit, often at the same time as the sponsorship application, and work while the PR application is processed. This is a different stream from the family-of-worker and family-of-student open work permits that IRCC narrowed on January 21, 2025, so do not assume those rules apply here. Eligibility can change, so confirm the current requirements on IRCC.
Does the sponsor need to meet a minimum income requirement?+
Generally no. Unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents, sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or a dependent child usually has no minimum necessary income (LICO) test. The main exception is if the dependent child you sponsor has their own dependent child, or the partner you sponsor has a dependent child who has their own child. In a straightforward spousal or partner sponsorship, the sponsor must meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements and sign the undertaking rather than prove a set income.
What if my spouse has a criminal record?+
A criminal record abroad can make a sponsored partner inadmissible to Canada independently of the sponsorship. Depending on the situation, the partner may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation before or alongside the application. Because outcomes turn on the specific offence and timing, consider speaking with a licensed immigration lawyer or a CICC-regulated consultant; a visa officer decides admissibility.
What is the difference between inland and outland sponsorship?+
The terms describe where the application is processed, not the type of relationship. Inland (in-Canada) sponsorship is for a partner who is in Canada with temporary status and who often can apply for an open work permit while waiting. Outland sponsorship is processed through a visa office, and the partner can generally travel while the application is in progress. Both are valid; many couples choose outland for speed and inland when they want to live together in Canada now and need work authorization.
Can a Canadian citizen living abroad sponsor a spouse?+
Generally a permanent resident who sponsors must be living in Canada, but a Canadian citizen living outside Canada may sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child if they will live in Canada when that person becomes a permanent resident. You still have to be eligible to be a sponsor and sign the undertaking. Confirm the current rule for your situation on IRCC.
Can a sponsored spouse later sponsor a new partner?+
Not right away. Under IRPR s.130(3), a person who was sponsored as a spouse or partner generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until 5 years after they became a permanent resident. This is often called the 5-year sponsorship bar and is meant to discourage relationships entered into for immigration purposes. Confirm timing details on IRCC, as a visa officer applies the rule.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.