Canada Spousal Sponsorship — bring your partner to Canada
RCIC-guided document preparation for sponsoring your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence. Accurate, complete applications — decisions rest solely with IRCC.
Overview
About this program
Under the Family Class, Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18+ can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for permanent residence. There is no minimum income (LICO) requirement to sponsor a spouse or partner.
You can apply Inland (your partner is in Canada with valid status) or Outland (your partner is outside Canada). Each route has different rules around travel and processing.
~12 months
Outland service standard
spouse living outside Canada (non-Quebec)
No LICO
Minimum income to sponsor a spouse
income test not required for spouses/partners
~1 in 4
Inland apps returned/refused (2025)
mainly for incompleteness — why accuracy matters
Immigration trends
Latest spousal sponsorship trends (2026)
Recent IRCC updates and processing data:
IRCC publishes a 12-month service standard for spouses living outside Canada (Outland, non-Quebec); Inland applications currently take longer (often around 21 months), and Quebec cases longer still.
From January 16, 2026, IRCC can conduct permanent-residence interviews remotely for applicants in Canada, reducing delays and travel.
In 2026 reporting, roughly one in four inland spousal applications were returned or refused due to incompleteness — missing forms, signatures or fees — underscoring the value of careful preparation.
Inland applicants living in Canada may be eligible to apply for an open work permit after receiving their Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Processing times are IRCC estimates and change monthly. Confirm current times and rules on canada.ca.
Who can apply
General eligibility
Sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old
A genuine relationship: legally married, common-law (living together 12+ months), or conjugal partner
Sponsor is not in default of a previous undertaking or certain government support
Both parties are admissible (medical, security and criminal background)
You choose Inland or Outland based on where your partner lives and your travel needs
How we help
Our document-preparation process
This is a document-preparation and administrative support service — you submit your own application to IRCC.
Relationship & route review
We help you understand whether Inland or Outland suits your situation and what evidence supports a genuine relationship.
Document preparation
Guidance on forms, relationship proof, identity, police and medical documents so your application is complete.
Sponsor & applicant packages
We help you organise both the sponsorship and PR application packages accurately.
Review before submission
We review for completeness and consistency — a major cause of refusals — before you submit through official channels.
After submission
Guidance on AOR, biometrics, open-work-permit options (Inland) and responding to any IRCC requests.
Why Visaxpress
Regulated, honest guidance
CICC-Regulated Consultant
Your sponsorship is guided by a licensed RCIC (R512545) — verifiable on the official CICC public register.
Fewer avoidable refusals
Most spousal refusals stem from incomplete applications — our review focuses on exactly that.
Honest, transparent advice
A candid assessment of your case and route — no false promises or guarantees.
Offices in Toronto & Delhi
Local document support in India with Canadian regulatory oversight.
4.9/5
Rated by our clients on Google — trusted across India & Canada.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is there an income requirement to sponsor my spouse?
No. Unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents, there is no minimum income (LICO) requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner. You must, however, sign an undertaking to support them.
Inland or Outland — which is better?
It depends. Inland suits couples already living together in Canada (and can allow an open work permit), but leaving Canada carries risk. Outland suits partners abroad and generally allows international travel. We help you choose based on your circumstances.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. IRCC decides all applications. We help you submit a complete, accurate, well-documented application — the biggest controllable factor, since many refusals are due to incompleteness.
How long does it take?
IRCC targets about 12 months for Outland (non-Quebec) spouses; Inland and Quebec cases often take longer. Times change monthly and depend on your specific case.
Family-sponsorship rules and processing times are set by the Government of Canada and change frequently. Information on this page is general and provided for convenience — always verify current requirements on canada.ca. Visaxpress provides document-preparation and administrative support through a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC); we do not guarantee any outcome, decisions are made solely by IRCC, and applicants submit their own applications through official government channels.
Ready to get started? Book a free consultation
Professional, CICC-regulated support for an accurate, well-documented application — guided by a licensed RCIC.