A spousal or partner sponsorship application is really two applications submitted together: the Canadian citizen or permanent resident applies to be a sponsor, and the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner applies for permanent residence. Because of that, the package combines sponsorship forms, the principal applicant's PR forms, and a stack of supporting documents that prove who you both are and that your relationship is genuine. IRCC publishes a specific document checklist for each situation, such as IMM 5533 for a spouse or IMM 5589 for a common-law partner, and that checklist is the authoritative list of what to include. The forms below are the typical core of a package as described in IRCC's Guide 5289, but form numbers, versions and required items change, so the most important step is to download the current checklist and instruction guide from the IRCC website for your exact case before you assemble anything. This page is educational and is not legal advice.
The forms: sponsorship side and PR side
The sponsorship side is led by the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344), which the sponsor signs to take on financial responsibility, along with the Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation (IMM 5532) that both the sponsor and the principal applicant complete to describe how the relationship developed. Depending on the situation, a sponsor may also include a financial evaluation form (IMM 1283) and, if a paid representative is used, the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).
On the permanent residence side, the person being sponsored completes the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and its schedules, the Additional Family Information form (IMM 5406), and Schedule A: Background/Declaration (IMM 5669). IRCC's guidance notes that the principal applicant and other listed family members who are 18 or older generally complete their own copies of forms such as IMM 5406 and IMM 5669. If you are relying on a common-law relationship, the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) is often included as well.
What this means for you: download each form fresh from IRCC rather than reusing an old copy, complete the fillable PDF, and follow the signing instructions in Guide 5289 exactly. Missing signatures or an outdated form version are common reasons a package is returned as incomplete before it is even assessed.
Proof of status and proof of relationship
The sponsor must show they are eligible to sponsor, which usually means proving Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, for example with a copy of a Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, birth certificate, or PR card. A sponsor living outside Canada (only Canadian citizens can do this) may also need to show they plan to return to Canada when the partner becomes a permanent resident.
Proof of relationship is the heart of the application because IRCC must be satisfied the relationship is genuine and not entered into mainly for immigration. For a married couple this starts with the marriage certificate. For common-law partners there is no single document, so you build a record of at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation, such as a shared lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, bills or insurance in both names, and identification showing the same address. Conjugal partners, who cannot marry or live together because of significant barriers, document those barriers and the commitment between them.
Most packages also include supporting evidence that the relationship is real and ongoing, such as photos together over time and with family and friends, proof of communication, and any documents naming each other as a partner or beneficiary. IRCC's checklist tells you what is mandatory versus optional, so use it to decide how much to include rather than guessing.
Identity, civil status, police and medical
Both people provide identity and civil status documents. These typically include copies of passports or travel documents and birth certificates, plus records that affect status such as divorce certificates or death certificates from any previous marriage, and documents for any dependent children listed on the application. Where a document is not in English or French, IRCC generally expects a certified translation.
The principal applicant, and usually each accompanying family member who is 18 or older, must provide police certificates from every country where they have lived for six months or more in a row since the age of 18. These confirm there is no relevant criminal history and feed into IRCC's admissibility assessment under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
An immigration medical exam is part of permanent residence processing. In many cases applicants complete an upfront medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician before or shortly after applying, and include the proof of exam with the package; in others IRCC sends instructions after you apply. Follow the checklist and any instruction letters for the timing that applies to your case.
Biometrics, photos, fees and the open work permit
Most applicants must give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). After IRCC receives your application and the biometric fee, it sends a biometric instruction letter, and you generally have a set period from that letter to attend a collection point. Separately, the application itself asks for passport-style photos meeting IRCC's specifications, so check the current photo requirements rather than reusing old pictures.
Fees are paid online and the receipt goes in the package. A sponsorship package commonly includes the sponsorship fee, the principal applicant's processing fee, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and the biometric fee, with additional fees for dependent children where they apply. Amounts change, so confirm the current fees and use the official fee list before paying; our fee calculator can help you estimate, but IRCC's published amounts govern.
If you are applying inland, meaning the sponsored partner is living in Canada with valid temporary status, that partner may also be able to apply for an open work permit so they can work while the application is processed. IRCC has at times extended this option to certain outland applicants who are in Canada as well. Eligibility and policy here change, so confirm the current rules before relying on a work permit, and remember an officer makes the final decision on every part of the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are in a spousal sponsorship application?
The core forms typically include the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344), the Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation (IMM 5532), the Generic Application Form (IMM 0008) and its schedules, Additional Family Information (IMM 5406), and Schedule A: Background/Declaration (IMM 5669). Common-law couples often also include the Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409). Always use IRCC's current checklist for your situation, since forms and versions change.
Which IRCC document checklist should I use?
IRCC publishes a checklist tailored to your situation, such as IMM 5533 for a spouse (including dependent children) or IMM 5589 for a common-law partner. Download the current version for your exact case from the IRCC website, because it is the authoritative list and it tells you what is mandatory versus optional.
How do I prove my relationship is genuine?
For a married couple you start with the marriage certificate. For common-law partners you build a record of at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation, such as a joint lease or mortgage, joint accounts and bills in both names, and ID with the same address. Many couples also include photos over time, proof of communication, and documents naming each other as a partner. Use the IRCC checklist to see what is required.
Do we both need police certificates?
The principal applicant, and usually each accompanying family member who is 18 or older, generally needs police certificates from every country where they lived for six months or more in a row since age 18. These support IRCC's admissibility check. Follow the checklist for exactly whose certificates are required in your case.
Is a medical exam required for spousal sponsorship?
An immigration medical exam is part of permanent residence processing. Many applicants do an upfront exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician and include the proof with the package, while others receive instructions after applying. Follow the checklist and any instruction letters for the timing that applies to you.
Can my partner work while we wait, with an open work permit?
Often yes. If you apply inland and the sponsored partner has valid temporary status in Canada, they may be able to apply for an open work permit (sometimes called a SOWP) to work during processing. IRCC has at times extended this to certain outland applicants in Canada too. Policy changes, so confirm the current rules and remember an officer decides.
What fees are involved?
A package commonly includes the sponsorship fee, the principal applicant's processing fee, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, and the biometric fee, with additional fees where dependent children apply. Amounts change over time, so confirm the current fees on the official IRCC fee list before you pay and keep the payment receipt for your package.
Why might an application be returned as incomplete?
Common reasons include using an outdated form version, missing required signatures, forgetting a required police certificate, leaving out the fee receipt, or not including a mandatory item from the checklist. Working straight from the current IRCC checklist and instruction guide for your case is the best way to avoid these issues, and an officer makes the final decision.
Guides
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.