Canada Spousal Sponsorship Requirements: Complete Guide

Immigrating to Canada with your spouse or partner is possible through the spousal sponsorship program of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This pathway enables a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence (PR). However, to succeed, you must meet certain eligibility and documentation requirements. This guide outlines all the essential requirements — for both sponsor and sponsored person — to help you prepare a solid application.

If you want professional help, The Black Bear Canadian Immigration Services can guide you step-by-step, review your documents, and maximize your chance of approval.

Who Can Be Sponsored: Eligible Relationship Types

Under Canada’s spousal sponsorship program, you can sponsor the following types of relationships:

• Spouse — a legally married partner. Marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it took place and acceptable under Canadian immigration law.
• Common-Law Partner — a partner (same or opposite sex) with whom you have lived in a genuine conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months before applying. Temporary separations for valid reasons (work, education, family obligations) may be accepted, as long as the relationship remains genuine.
• Conjugal Partner — a partner with whom you have a genuine, committed relationship for at least 12 months, but due to significant legal, immigration, religious or cultural barriers, you cannot live together or get married. This is only considered in exceptional, well-documented cases.

Your relationship must be authentic and genuine — not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. IRCC scrutinizes applications carefully to avoid “marriage-of-convenience” cases.

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

To sponsor a spouse or partner, the sponsor (you) must meet several conditions under IRCC rules. Key requirements include:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
• Status: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or — in certain cases — a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Residency: Permanent residents must live in Canada at the time of sponsorship and when the sponsored person becomes PR. Canadian citizens living abroad must show intention to move or return to Canada when the spouse becomes permanent resident.
• Financial Undertaking: You must sign an undertaking committing to financially support your spouse/partner for 3 years from the date they become permanent resident, ensuring they won’t need social assistance.
• No Dependence on Social Assistance: You cannot be receiving social assistance (unless for a disability) at the time of application.
• Clean Legal Record: You must have no criminal convictions (especially violent or sexual offences), no removal or deportation orders, and cannot be an undischarged bankrupt.
• Not in Default of Previous Sponsorship: You must not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, and must not have sponsored a spouse/common-law partner in the past 5 years.

Even though other immigration categories sometimes require a “minimum income threshold,” for spousal sponsorship, there is no fixed minimum income requirement. The assessment is more qualitative — whether you can genuinely support your spouse/partner without relying on social assistance.

Requirements for the Person Being Sponsored

The spouse / partner you want to sponsor must also meet certain eligibility criteria. Key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must satisfy Canadian admissibility requirements: pass medical exam, criminality/security checks, and not have any immigration or legal bans.
• Must prove the relationship with the sponsor is genuine and continuing — whether married, common-law or conjugal.
• If applying under the “In-Canada” (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada) class: the sponsored person must already be in Canada and living with the sponsor.

Key Documents & Proof Required

To support your spousal sponsorship application, IRCC expects a well-documented file. Common required proofs include:

For Sponsor:

• Copy of passport or permanent resident card / citizenship certificate.
• Proof of current residence in Canada (e.g. address documents).
• Completed sponsorship forms (e.g. Sponsorship Agreement/Undertaking).
• If applicable, proof of termination of previous marriages.

For Sponsored Person (Spouse/Partner):

• Copy of passport (or travel document).
• Birth certificate.
• Completed permanent residence application forms (e.g. IMM 0008).
• Police clearance certificate(s) from every country where they’ve lived 6+ months after turning 18.
• Medical exam certificate from an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Proof of Genuine Relationship (as applicable):

• Marriage certificate or proof of civil marriage registration.
• For common-law partners: statutory declaration of common-law union, proof of cohabitation (joint leases, shared bills, joint bank accounts), photos together over time, communications (chat logs, emails), affidavits from family/friends, travel history, etc.
• For conjugal partners: additional documentation and explanation as to why cohabitation or marriage was not possible (cultural, legal, immigration barriers), plus evidence of long-term commitment and relationship history.

Other general documentation:

• Identity documents (passports, birth certificates) for both parties.
• Translations into English or French (if original documents are in another language).

Sponsorship Application Streams: Inland vs Outland

When applying for spousal sponsorship, you have two main streams depending on where the sponsored partner lives.

Outland Sponsorship (Outside Canada)

• Suitable when your spouse/partner lives outside Canada.
• Processed via the visa office in the partner’s country of residence.
• Good for couples separated by geography, but processing times may vary depending on the visa office.

Inland Sponsorship (Inside Canada)

• Applicable when your spouse or common-law partner is already living with you in Canada (on a valid temporary status — visitor, student, or work permit).
• If status is valid, the partner may be eligible for an open work permit while the PR application is being processed (depending on IRCC rules and timing).
• Useful for couples currently together in Canada, but must maintain valid status until permanent residence is granted.

Choosing the right stream depends on your circumstances — we at The Black Bear Canadian Immigration Services can help you evaluate and select the optimal path.

Financial Undertaking & Support Obligations

One of the most important aspects of spousal sponsorship is the financial undertaking. This is a legally binding promise by the sponsor to support the spouse/partner for a set period. Key points:

• The undertaking lasts 3 years from the day the sponsored spouse/partner becomes a permanent resident.
• Sponsor promises to provide for basic needs: food, clothing, housing, utilities, daily living expenses, and other essentials.
• If the spouse/partner receives social assistance during those 3 years (in provinces where social assistance applies), the sponsor must repay it.
• There is no fixed “minimum income threshold” like some other immigration streams. Instead, IRCC assesses ability to support based on overall financial situation and stability.

While a high income helps, what matters most is proof of stable finances and commitment to support. In many cases, stable job, savings, assets or other proofs of financial stability suffice.

Application Fees & Process Overview

When applying for spousal sponsorship, certain fees and procedural steps apply. Approximate fees (subject to change) as of 2025:

• Sponsorship fee: ≈ CAD 85
• Principal applicant processing fee: ≈ CAD 545
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: ≈ CAD 575
• Biometrics fee (if applicable): ≈ CAD 85

If there are dependent children included, additional fees may apply per child.

Processing times vary depending on whether application is Inland or Outland, and on the visa office or IRCC backlog — but many applications are processed within 12–16 months (or sometimes faster depending on case) from submission of a complete application.

Common Reasons for Spousal Sponsorship Refusal (and How to Avoid Them)

Even if you meet basic requirements, many sponsorship applications get refused — often due to avoidable mistakes. Common pitfalls include:

• Weak or insufficient proof of genuine relationship (e.g. only a marriage certificate without supporting evidence, no joint documents, missing photos, communication history, shared finances).
• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation (wrong or missing forms, missing translations, missing identity documents, unclear scans).
• Sponsor receiving social assistance (unless for disability) — which may disqualify them.
• Criminal or inadmissibility issues (for either spouse).
• Sponsor living outside Canada (if permanent resident) without valid intention to return or immigrate back to Canada.
• Inadequate undertaking or financial support documentation — inability to convincingly prove capacity to support.

We advise applicants to prepare a complete, honest, and well-organized application, with full documentation and supporting evidence. Working with licensed consultants like The Black Bear Canadian Immigration Services significantly reduces risk of rejection.

Why Choose The Black Bear Canadian Immigration Services

If you’re considering sponsoring your spouse or partner to Canada, we can help you:

• Evaluate your eligibility against all sponsor & applicant requirements
• Collect and organize required documentation (proof of relationship, identity, finances, etc.)
• Fill out all IRCC forms correctly & check for completeness
• Prepare a strong sponsorship package with compelling relationship proof
• Guide you on the best application stream (Inland vs Outland) based on your situation
• Provide professional support throughout the process until PR is granted

Our experience helps clients worldwide navigate Canada’s spousal sponsorship program smoothly and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?
A: No fixed minimum income requirement exists for spousal sponsorship. The key is demonstrating your ability to support your spouse without relying on social assistance.

Q2: What kinds of relationships are accepted for sponsorship?
A: Legally married spouses, common-law partners (12+ months cohabitation), and — in specific, well-documented cases — conjugal partners.

Q3: Can I sponsor my partner if I’m a Canadian citizen living abroad?
A: Yes — as long as you demonstrate the intention to live in Canada when your partner gets permanent residence.

Q4: How long does the financial undertaking last?
A: 3 years from the date your spouse/partner becomes a permanent resident.  

Q5: What documents are needed to prove a genuine relationship?
A: Marriage certificate or common-law declarations, joint bank accounts or leases, shared bills, photos together over time, communication history, affidavits from family/friends, and any other proof of genuine relationship and cohabitation.

Final Thoughts

Spousal sponsorship remains one of the most reliable and compassionate routes to bring your spouse or partner to Canada as a permanent resident. While the requirements are detailed, meeting them carefully gives you a realistic and strong chance of approval. A complete and truthful application, adequate documentation, and a proper financial undertaking are the keys to success.

If you’re ready to start the journey — or want professional help to ensure your application is flawless — contact The Black Bear Canadian Immigration Services today. We are committed to supporting couples worldwide and will guide you through every step until you’re reunited in Canada.