Frank J Wenzel, RCIC. This page is general information, not advice for your situation.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 can apply to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. This page explains the basics in plain language. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) sets the rules and updates them, so check IRCC’s sponsorship page for current details.
Who can be sponsored
- Spouse: legally married to you, at least 18, in a genuine relationship that isn’t only for getting immigration status.
- Common-law partner: not legally married to you, but living with you in a marriage-like relationship, generally for at least 12 months in a row.
- Conjugal partner: not married to you and not common-law, at least 18, in an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship with you for at least one year.
- Dependent children can be included in some cases, and the sponsored person must not be inadmissible to Canada.
IRCC explains each category on its Who you can sponsor page.
Two ways to apply
- Family Class (applying from outside Canada): used when your partner lives outside Canada. It is also the route for conjugal partners.
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (sometimes called “inland”): used when you and your partner live together in Canada. The sponsored partner usually needs valid temporary status in Canada.
Which route fits depends on your circumstances. That’s something a consultation can walk through.
What the process involves, in general
- Two applications: one to become a sponsor and one for your partner’s permanent residence, submitted together.
- The sponsor signs an undertaking, a promise to support the sponsored person financially. IRCC explains how long it lasts.
- The sponsored person goes through background, security, and medical checks.
- The documents you need depend on your relationship type. IRCC publishes a checklist for each.
- Partners already in Canada may be able to apply for an open work permit while they wait. See IRCC for the rules.
Where applications tend to run into trouble
Missing or inconsistent information, thin evidence of the relationship, forms that don’t match the supporting documents, and admissibility issues. A careful review before you submit can help catch these. It can’t guarantee a result. Only IRCC decides.
Fees and processing times
IRCC sets the fees and publishes current processing times. Check IRCC’s sponsorship page before you plan, because both change.
How I can help
I’m a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. In a consultation, I explain your options in general terms and what working together would involve. No consultant-client relationship exists until we both sign a service agreement.
Questions people ask
Who can sponsor a partner?
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 and meets IRCC’s other conditions. IRCC lists reasons that can make someone ineligible to sponsor on its eligibility page.
What is the difference between spouse, common-law, and conjugal partner?
Spouses are legally married. Common-law partners live together in a marriage-like relationship, generally for 12 months in a row. Conjugal partners are neither, but have a committed, exclusive relationship of at least one year.
Is there an income requirement?
In most spouse and partner cases, IRCC doesn’t set a minimum income, but other eligibility rules apply. Check IRCC’s page for your situation.
How long does it take?
It varies and changes over time. IRCC publishes current processing times, and no one can predict yours.
What if my application was refused?
Options depend on the type of application and the reasons given. A consultation can review the refusal letter. I can’t promise a different result.
Do I need a consultant?
No. You can apply yourself. If you hire help, use a licensed professional and check the College’s public register first.
What clients say
Spousal Sponsorship
“Sponsoring my husband felt like a huge amount of paperwork. Frank kept us grounded, gave us a clear checklist, and made sure our application was completely thorough. No extra document requests, no hassle. Frank genuinely cares about his clients and it shows.”
Common-Law Sponsorship
“Navigating our common-law sponsorship felt crazy with so much infomration, dates, forms etc. Then we hired Frank and he helped us gather what we needed, streamlined all the paperwork, and kept us informed every step of the way. His attention to detail is unmatched.”
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