If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and want your partner to join you in Canada, the spousal sponsorship program is one of the most direct routes to Permanent Residency (PR). In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about sponsoring a spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner for Canadian immigration in 2025, including processing times, eligibility, costs, and how ICC Immigration can assist you.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
To sponsor your partner for Canadian immigration, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act
- Reside in Canada (unless you’re a citizen living abroad and planning to return)
- Not receive social assistance (unless for a disability)
- Be financially able to support your partner
Certain situations can disqualify you from sponsoring, such as recent bankruptcy, unpaid immigration loans, criminal history, or a prior sponsorship not yet completed.
Who You Can Sponsor
You can sponsor:
- A spouse (legally married)
- A common-law partner (lived together for at least 12 consecutive months)
- A conjugal partner (a committed relationship but unable to live together or marry due to barriers)
Your partner must be 18 or older and admissible to Canada. You can also sponsor their dependent children.
Sponsorship Types: Inland vs Outland
Inland Sponsorship
- Both you and your partner live in Canada
- Allows the applicant to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP)
- Processing time: 28 months
- No appeal if rejected
Outland Sponsorship
- Your partner lives outside Canada (or you’re a Canadian living abroad)
- Right to appeal a refusal
- Allows international travel during processing
- Processing time: 10 months
Important: Conjugal partners must apply through the outland route.
Quebec Residents
If you reside in Quebec, there are additional requirements. You must:
- Apply to both IRCC and Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)
- Sign a Quebec undertaking
- Undergo a provincial income assessment
Quebec currently has a cap of 13,000 family sponsorship applications (June 2024 – June 2026).
Financial Commitment (Undertaking)
As a sponsor, you must commit to financially supporting your partner for:
- 3 years for a spouse or partner
- 10 years or until age 25 for dependent children under 22
You cannot withdraw your sponsorship after PR is granted, even if your relationship ends or financial status changes.
Spousal Sponsorship Interview
In some cases, IRCC may invite you and your partner for an interview to confirm the legitimacy of your relationship. You should be prepared to:
- Show documentation (marriage certificate, communication logs, joint photos)
- Answer personal questions separately about your relationship and daily life
Sponsorship Application Costs
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | $85 |
| Principal applicant processing | $545 |
| Right of PR fee | $575 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Total | $1,290 |
Add $170 per dependent child if applicable. Third-party costs like medical exams and police certificates are additional.
How ICC Immigration Can Help You
Navigating Canada’s spousal sponsorship process can be overwhelming. That’s where ICC Immigration comes in. We specialize in family sponsorships and offer:
- Expert PR application support via Family Class, Express Entry, or PNPs
- Work & Study Permit services to keep your pathway to PR flexible
- Legal expertise to help you meet documentation and eligibility requirements
- Ongoing support whether you’re in Canada or planning to move
Instead of taking uncertain routes like asylum claims, trust ICC Immigration to provide a secure and strategic path to Canadian Permanent Residency.
📞 Call us today at +1 647 850 9000 or +1 905 461 2424
📧 Email: enquiry@iccimmigration.ca
🔗 Website: www.iccimmigration.ca
Final Thoughts
Spousal sponsorship is a powerful way to reunite families in Canada. With processing times varying and legal requirements evolving, it’s crucial to understand the rules and prepare properly. With ICC Immigration, you have a trusted partner ready to help you every step of the way.