How Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Works

Spousal sponsorship means sponsoring a married partner to Canada. As per Canadian immigration law, a marriage will be considered a marriage if it took place legally in whichever country it took place, or Canadian law accepts it as legal.

Do you want to know your eligibility for Canadian Spousal Sponsorship?

Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options.

Start Your Online Assessment

Or Call Us: 1-(888)-509-1987

Start Your Online Assessment

Or Call Us: 1-(888)-509-1987

Do you want to know your eligibility for Canadian Spousal Sponsorship?

Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options.

Canada understands the value of familial relationships and wants to keep and bring families together. The Family Class Immigration category allows for different types of spousal sponsorships.

The Canadian spousal sponsorship allows you to sponsor your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada.

Both you and your spouse must be approved by the government body of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Who is Eligible for Spousal Sponsorship?

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible to sponsor your spouse:

Be of 18 years or older
Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
Reside in Canada or intend to live in Canada after your spouse is granted permanent residency
Financially support your spouse for 3 years

What Kind of Supporting Documentation is Required for Spousal Sponsorship?

If you are sponsoring your spouse, then the following proof of your relationship will be required:

Completed relationship information and sponsorship evaluation questionnaire
Marriage certificate
Wedding Invitation and photos
Birth certificates or adoption papers for any children you might have
Proof of marriage registration with a government authority

What are Alternative Definitions of Spousal Relationships?

Common-Law Partnership: A common-law partnership is a couple that has been living together for 12 consecutive months and is not legally married.

Any time spent away from each other was because of valid obligations and was short and temporary.

Same-sex relationships are also included in this definition.

Conjugal Partnership: A conjugal partner is someone who has had a close relationship with you for 1 year but you were not able to live together or get married typically due to immigration or other legal barriers.

They will be eligible for spousal sponsorship. You can not apply as conjugal partners if you are both residing in Canada.

This definition is valid for both opposite and same-sex relationships.

Get A Free Assessment

Receive answers to all your immigrations questions along with available options, all in one place.

First Name:

Please enter your first name

Last Name:

Please enter your last name

Email:

Please enter a valid email

Phone Number:

Please enter a valid phone number

Nationality:

Please select a country

Country Of Residence:

Please select an country

Country Interested In:

Please select an option

Immigration Matter:

Please select an option

Submit

Or Call Us: 1-(888)-509-1987

What are the Different Types of Spousal Sponsorship?

Inland Spousal Sponsorship: You can sponsor your spouse through Inland Spousal Sponsorship as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident if they are already living with you in Canada.

You must be able to support them financially during their stay. The sponsored person will be required to clear all admissibility requirements for permanent residency.

They will also be eligible to apply for an open work permit. The applicant can not travel outside Canada while your application is being processed.

Overseas Spousal Sponsorship: Overseas Spousal Sponsorship (also referred to as Outland Spousal Sponsorship) allows you to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner living in another country.

You must financially support your spouse and not be an applicant for spousal sponsorship in the 5 years preceding the application.

You may have a right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) if your sponsorship application is refused.

What Else You Need to Know About Spousal Sponsorship?

Spousal sponsorship does not require you to demonstrate minimum income to sponsor your spouse. However, you must support your sponsored spouse financially for a maximum period of 3 years.

You could be barred from spousal sponsorship if:

You have previously sponsored a spouse and, it has been less than 3 years since they became a permanent resident
You did not pay social assistance received by your previous sponsor
You have defaulted on your immigration loan or performance bond
You failed to pay alimony or child support
You declared bankruptcy, which has not been discharged
You were convicted of a crime either violent or sexual in nature, or caused bodily harm
You were sponsored through spousal sponsorship in the last 5 years
You were issued a removal order
You are in jail
Your application is already under processing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spousal Sponsorship

If you are divorced, then you can apply for a spousal sponsorship. However, if you were an applicant for spousal sponsorship in the last 5 years preceding the application, then you are not eligible for a spousal sponsorship.

You can sponsor your spouse if they have been charged with a crime. However, they may be required to overcome their criminality if considered inadmissible.

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you have applied through inland spousal sponsorship.

You do not need to demonstrate any minimum income level to sponsor your spouse.

Why Start with My Visa Source with a Free Online Assessment?

Congratulations on taking your first step towards Permanent Residency in Canada!

My Visa Source's immigration lawyers dedicate themselves to your immigration case, providing legal representation tailored to your personal situation.

Our expertise focuses on immigration and visa programs for Canada and the United States, including global immigration.

Partnering with an award-winning immigration team greatly increases the likelihood of achieving your specific immigration or visa goals.

Immigration is a complex process that requires strong legal strategy, precise paperwork, and perfect attention to detail and experience dealing with immigration officials and government departments, reducing the risk of wasted time, money or permanent rejection.

Begin Your Application for This PR Program Today!

Securing personalized legal help is quick and simple. Begin with our one-minute online assessment form or call us toll-free at 1-888-509-1987.

We have a dedicated team of licensed professionals standing by, ready to answer your immigration and visa questions. We’ve been helping people from over 120 countries for over a decade and can help you too.

Book a personal consultation to speak with an award-winning immigration lawyer either in-person, over the telephone, or through a video conference.

We're open 6am-9pm PST & EST, 7 days a week, and are ready for in-person, phone, and video consultations.

My husband and I have been using My Visa Source for nearly two years. Their advice is invaluable and we’ve had them by our side for everything from applying for visitor visa extensions to submitting an application for spousal sponsorship.

My husband was granted permanent residency and we never could have gotten to where we are now without them. Trevor and Sonia saved us from an unbelievable amount of needless stress and worry. Also, their rates are completely reasonable and ended up costing us less than I thought it would!

5 out of 5 » Rating by: Leah B.

I have researched and used several different Visa lawyers trying to help my spouse immigrate to Canada - this place was the best. Sunny from MyVisaSource was extremely knowledgeable and accessible throughout the entire process. He was very honest and understanding, even if it's not the answer we wanted to hear it was best to know the truth about our situation and associated costs. Highly recommend them to anyone trying to figure out immigration.

5 out of 5 » Rating by: Casey W.

We engaged My Visa Source to help with my wife's permanent residency application, after we found the information online to be confusing and repetitive. They were extremely helpful, punctual, and concise in helping us complete the forms and answering all of our questions. The process was fairly long, and we felt that we received good value for our money... They saved us hours of work deciphering and filling out forms. And most importantly, they got it right - our application was submitted and approved in a timely manner.

5 out of 5 » Rating by: Michael G.

I first contacted My Visa Source after visiting their official website, seeing all highly educated information on the work they do, high success rates, awards they have received and testimonies of bringing a loved one here to Canada I felt at ease. What sold me was when I got into contact with Meera Freiwat, case manager of My Visa Source.

We had an amazing conversation about me wanting to bring my girlfriend here to Canada who I met in the Philippines and wanting to help her to have a better life. Meera Freiwat was absolutely phenomenal. She set me spirits so high that this would be very much possible based on the information I gave her about me. Meera was so friendly, kind, considerate, highly intelligent and an amazing professional with her knowledge of immigration, the documents that I would be providing to them and the outstanding work they would be doing on their end to make it as easy, fast and stress free as possible!

Up to this point I couldn’t be more satisfied with Meera and her team in keeping me updated, walking me through any questions or concerns I may have. I highly, highly recommend My Visa Source for anyone who is looking to help bring a loved one here to Canada for a better opportunity at life!

5 out of 5 » Rating by: Kyle M.

Needed help with my immigration status in April 2015. No one wanted to take my case since they believed it was difficult or impossible to gain status because of a criminal matter I was facing back then. I was frustrated and crying but Sunny said he’ll help as much as they can to stay in Canada.

After submitting the spousal sponsorship, I was very concerned if I would get an open work permit (OWP) while waiting for my permanent residence approval. My criminal matter was fixed with a discharge and a month after I got my OWP valid for 2 years. I am very happy with the result and I’m now applying for PR approval.

If not for my visa source, I might not have status in Canada. They really know what they are doing, and what I really like the best is every time I have questions they are very happy to answer. Once I get my PR, I will hire my visa source again for my parents So that they could come visit me here in Canada. Thank You so much Sunny, Sonia and Mandeep! I will be forever thankful for everything!

5 out of 5 » Rating by: Sam M.

...

Overall Planned Canadian Permanent Resident Admissions

2024 Target Admissions:

485,000

2025 Target Admissions:

500,000

2026 Target Admissions:

500,000

Your Source For Everything Immigration

Trusted by thousands, we offer personalized legal services tailored to meet the unique requirements of your immigration goals.

Experience

15+ years

With over 15 years of experience, My Visa Source is dedicated to delivering customized solutions that cater to the diverse needs of our immigration clientele.

Countries Serviced

120+

We have serviced clients from over 120 countries, both in person and virtually from our offices in North America.

Individuals and Businesses Helped

50,000+

We have helped over 50k businesses and individuals navigate immigration law and policy.

Media

Disclaimer: MyVisaSource was developed to provide visitors from all over the world with information about Canadian and US immigration topics. Your access to this website is subject to our Terms of Use. Communications between you and MyVisaSource are protected by our Privacy Policy but not by the attorney-client privilege or as work product. MyVisaSource is affiliated with the law firm of MVS Law PC and My Visa Source Law MDP, which provides legal services on immigration matters. Only licensed immigration professionals can provide advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.

Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2026? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. Book a consulation today!

How Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Works

Who is Eligible for Spousal Sponsorship?

What Kind of Supporting Documentation is Required for Spousal Sponsorship?

What are Alternative Definitions of Spousal Relationships?

What are the Different Types of Spousal Sponsorship?

What Else You Need to Know About Spousal Sponsorship?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spousal Sponsorship

Can I sponsor my spouse if I have been married before?

Can I sponsor my spouse if they have a criminal record?

Can I apply for a work permit with Spousal Sponsorship?

Am I allowed to sponsor my spouse if I don’t have a job?

Why Start with My Visa Source with a Free Online Assessment?

Begin Your Application for This PR Program Today!

See What Our Clients Are Experiencing

Overall Planned Canadian Permanent Resident Admissions

Your Source For Everything Immigration

Media

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE

Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2026? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. Book a consulation today! Learn More

How Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Works

Who is Eligible for Spousal Sponsorship?

What Kind of Supporting Documentation is Required for Spousal Sponsorship?

What are Alternative Definitions of Spousal Relationships?

What are the Different Types of Spousal Sponsorship?

What Else You Need to Know About Spousal Sponsorship?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Spousal Sponsorship

Can I sponsor my spouse if I have been married before?

Can I sponsor my spouse if they have a criminal record?

Can I apply for a work permit with Spousal Sponsorship?

Am I allowed to sponsor my spouse if I don’t have a job?

Why Start with My Visa Source with a Free Online Assessment?

Begin Your Application for This PR Program Today!

See What Our Clients Are Experiencing

Overall Planned Canadian Permanent Resident Admissions

Your Source For Everything Immigration

Media

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE

Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2026? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. Book a consulation today!