Family sponsorship
Spousal, common-law and conjugal sponsorship
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your husband, wife, common-law partner or conjugal partner to become a permanent resident. Your partner can be in Canada or abroad. IRCC needs to see that the relationship is real, and most problems we see come from thin proof of the relationship.
Who can sponsor a spouse or partner?
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18, and you can support your partner financially.
- Spouse: you are legally married. Your spouse can be either sex and must be at least 18.
- Common-law partner: you are not married, but you have lived together for at least 12 months in a row. Short trips apart are fine.
- Conjugal partner: you have been in a relationship for at least a year, your partner lives outside Canada, and serious legal or immigration barriers stop you from living together or marrying. Examples are a marriage that cannot be ended in their country, or a same-sex relationship that is not accepted where they live.
How does spousal sponsorship work?
- We check that you can sponsor and which category your relationship fits.
- We decide together whether to apply from inside Canada (inland) or from outside (outland).
- You collect documents from our checklist. We go through each one.
- We fill in the forms, write a short summary of your relationship, and submit everything online.
- We handle IRCC's requests for biometrics, medicals or more documents, and prepare you if there is an interview.
What documents do you need for spousal sponsorship?
- Passports, birth certificates and your marriage certificate.
- Proof of the relationship over time: photos, chats and call logs, travel to see each other.
- For common-law couples, proof you live together, such as a joint lease, shared bills or the same address on ID.
- Police certificates and a medical exam when IRCC asks.
- Proof of your status in Canada.
IRCC sets the exact list for each application. We give you a checklist for your own file.
Why are spousal sponsorships refused?
- The officer is not convinced the relationship is genuine.
- Dates and details in the forms do not match the documents or what each partner says.
- A common-law claim without enough proof of 12 months living together.
- The sponsor is not eligible, for example because of an unpaid earlier sponsorship or some criminal convictions.
- Missing documents, which can get the application sent back.
How can Blue Chip help?
- We read your history the way an officer would and tell you what needs more proof.
- We put your evidence in order so the officer can follow it.
- If your spouse is in Canada, we check whether they can get an open work permit while you wait.
Common questions
Can I sponsor my spouse while they are here as a visitor?
Usually yes. You would apply from inside Canada, and your spouse should keep valid status while you wait. Check with us before either of you travels.
What is the difference between common-law and conjugal?
Common-law means you have lived together for at least a year. Conjugal means you have been together for at least a year but could not live together or marry because of serious barriers in your partner's country.
How long does spousal sponsorship take?
It changes with IRCC's workload and where your partner lives. The current estimate is on the IRCC processing times page.
Can my spouse work while we wait?
Many spouses applying from inside Canada can get an open work permit. We check this for your case at the consultation.
Official pages
Fees, processing times and income figures change often. Check them on the official pages:
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no one can guarantee an outcome. Rules checked against canada.ca in October 2026.
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