FAQ

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are at least 18 years old may be eligible to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner. Sponsors must meet applicable immigration, residency, financial and other eligibility requirements.

A spouse is someone you are legally married to. A common-law partner is someone with whom you have lived continuously in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, allowing only short, temporary absences.

Both relationships must be genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.

Yes, if you are a Canadian citizen and can show you intend to live in Canada when your sponsored spouse becomes a permanent resident.

Permanent residents generally must reside in Canada to sponsor their spouse or partner.

In most cases, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner. However, sponsors must demonstrate their ability to meet their financial obligations and must not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.

Income requirements may apply in certain situations involving dependent children who have dependent children of their own.

Potentially, yes. Employment is not mandatory in most spousal sponsorship cases. However, you must meet sponsorship eligibility requirements and demonstrate how you intend to support your sponsored family member.

Inland Sponsorship: Generally applies when the spouse or common-law partner is living with the sponsor in Canada and qualifies under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.

Outland Sponsorship: Refers to applications under the Family Class, commonly used when the sponsored spouse or partner lives outside Canada. Certain applicants living in Canada may also apply through the Family Class.

The appropriate category depends on the couple's circumstances.

Eligible sponsored spouses and common-law partners living in Canada with their sponsor may apply for an open work permit.

Generally, the applicant must have received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) for the permanent residence application and meet the applicable temporary resident status requirements. Limited exceptions exist.

Submitting a sponsorship application does not automatically authorize employment.

Yes, provided both individuals meet the applicable sponsorship requirements. However, a visitor visa does not authorize employment, and the sponsored spouse must comply with Canadian immigration requirements while awaiting a decision.

Some spouses or common-law partners living in Canada without valid temporary resident status may qualify under a special public policy.

Eligibility depends on the circumstances, including the nature of the immigration violation and any other inadmissibility concerns. Professional assessment is recommended before applying.

Yes, provided your previous marriage has legally ended and you meet the applicable sponsorship requirements.

If you previously sponsored a spouse or partner, additional restrictions may apply, including an existing sponsorship undertaking.

A person who became a permanent resident through spousal or partner sponsorship generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until five years have passed since becoming a permanent resident.

Yes. Eligible dependent children may be included in the application, subject to immigration requirements.

Declare all required family members, including non-accompanying children, and have them undergo examinations where required.

Yes. Canada recognizes eligible same-sex marriages and common-law relationships for immigration sponsorship purposes, subject to applicable legal and immigration requirements.

In Canadian immigration, a non-accompanying family member is an eligible family member of the principal applicant who is not immigrating to Canada as part of the current permanent residence application.

For example, if a Canadian citizen sponsors their spouse for permanent residence and the spouse has a 12-year-old child from a previous marriage who will remain overseas, that child is generally considered a non-accompanying dependent child.

Yes, as long as they have been declared in the initial application.

Global Immigration and Placement Consultancy Services Ltd. (GIPCS) provides professional assistance with spousal and common-law partner sponsorship applications, including eligibility assessments, relationship-document reviews, application preparation, submissions and communication with IRCC.

With over 23 years of immigration industry experience, our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) assists clients in Edmonton, throughout Canada and internationally.