Canada's spousal sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. It remains one of the fastest immigration pathways to Canadian PR — with processing times as low as 12 months for outland applications in 2026. This guide covers the 2026 processing times, complete cost breakdown, the inland vs outland decision, open work permit eligibility, required evidence, and the most common reasons applications are refused.
2026 Processing Times
Processing times vary significantly depending on whether you apply inland (while your spouse is already in Canada) or outland (while your spouse is outside Canada, or the application is processed at a visa office abroad). IRCC publishes updated processing times regularly; always check the official IRCC website for the current estimate.
| Application Type | Typical 2026 Processing | Work Authorization? |
|---|---|---|
| Outland (outside Canada) | ~12 months | No OWP — must enter as visitor or maintain visa status |
| Inland (in Canada) | ~24 months | Open Work Permit available during processing |
Processing times are affected by visa office workloads, biometric collection, medical examination completion, and security screening. Complex files (prior immigration history, criminal records) take longer.
Complete Cost Breakdown — ~$1,625 Total
The total government fee for spousal sponsorship in 2026 is approximately $1,625 CAD. Here is the full breakdown:
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | $150 | Sponsor (Canadian citizen/PR) |
| Principal applicant (PR) processing fee | $570 | Sponsored spouse |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 | Sponsored spouse (paid before landing) |
| Biometrics | $85 | Sponsored spouse |
| Medical examination | ~$250–$400 | Sponsored spouse (varies by location/clinic) |
| Approximate Total | ~$1,625+ | Both applicants |
Additional costs may include police certificates, translation of documents, notarization, and professional (lawyer/consultant) fees if applicable. Use our fee calculator for a personalized estimate.
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 |
| Processing time | ~24 months | ~12 months |
| Open Work Permit | Yes — available shortly after application | No 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.
Open Work Permit During Inland Processing
One of the key advantages of the inland spousal sponsorship is the ability to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) concurrently with (or shortly after) the sponsorship application. Under IRPR R205(c)(ii), the sponsored spouse is eligible for an OWP as a spouse of a sponsor with status in Canada. Key details:
- ✓ OWP can be applied for at the same time as the inland sponsorship application
- ✓ Allows the sponsored spouse to work for any employer in Canada while waiting for PR
- ✓ OWP is typically valid until a decision is made on the PR application
- ✓ Additional government fee: $255 CAD for the OWP
- ✓ Sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, PR, or registered Indian for OWP eligibility
Relationship Evidence Requirements
IRCC requires substantial evidence that the relationship is genuine and not entered primarily for immigration purposes (IRPA s.4). The standard document checklist 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 personalized list for your specific situation.
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
IRPA s.40 imposes a 5-year inadmissibility for misrepresentation. Always answer questions accurately, including previous immigration history and criminal records.
Build your document checklist
Our free tool generates a personalized document checklist for your spousal sponsorship application based on your specific situation.
Generate Document ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my common-law partner, not just my spouse?+
Yes. IRCC recognizes spouses (legally married), common-law partners (living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months), and conjugal partners (have maintained a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months but cannot cohabit due to circumstances beyond their control). Each relationship type requires different evidence of genuineness.
How long is the sponsorship undertaking?+
The sponsor must commit to financially supporting the sponsored spouse for 3 years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. During this period, if the sponsored person receives social assistance, the sponsor may be required to repay those costs.
Can the sponsored spouse work while waiting for PR (inland)?+
Yes — if applying inland, the sponsored spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit concurrently with the sponsorship application. The OWP allows work for any employer in Canada during the ~24-month processing period.
Does the sponsor need to meet a minimum income requirement?+
Unlike parent/grandparent sponsorships, spousal/partner sponsorships do not have a minimum income requirement (MNI) — except when the sponsor is also sponsoring dependent children. Sponsors must simply meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements and sign the undertaking.
What if my spouse has a criminal record?+
A criminal record can make the sponsored spouse inadmissible to Canada independently of the sponsorship application. The sponsored spouse may need a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation approval before or alongside the sponsorship application. Consult an immigration lawyer if this applies to your situation.
💰 Calculate your exact fees
Use our fee calculator to get a personalized breakdown of all government fees for your spousal sponsorship application.
Open Fee Calculator → FreeImportant: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.