Sponsor Your Spouse in Canada: 2025 Complete Guide

Navigate Canada's inland spousal sponsorship process while staying together

On This Page You Will Find:

• Step-by-step eligibility requirements for both sponsors and applicants
• Essential co-habitation documents that prove your genuine relationship
• Common-law vs. spouse definitions and which path works best for you
• Work permit options while your application processes
• Timeline expectations and fees breakdown for 2025
• How to avoid the "bad faith" rejection that stops 23% of applications

Summary:

Sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner from inside Canada offers a unique advantage: you can stay together throughout the entire process. Unlike outside Canada applications that often require painful separations, the inland route lets couples build their Canadian life together while waiting for permanent residence approval. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 3-year undertaking commitment to the co-habitation proof that immigration officers scrutinize most carefully. You'll discover the exact documents needed, common rejection reasons to avoid, and why 67% of applicants choose this route over outside processing. Whether you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or navigating complex situations like previous sponsorships or criminal records, this guide provides the clarity you need to make informed decisions about your family's future in Canada.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Both sponsor and applicant must live together in Canada throughout the entire application process
• Sponsors commit to a 3-year financial undertaking that survives divorce or separation
• Work permits are available for applicants, allowing them to contribute financially while waiting
• "Bad faith" rejections affect nearly 1 in 4 applications - genuine relationship proof is crucial
• No appeal rights exist for inland applications, making proper preparation essential

Lopa stared at the calendar on her kitchen wall, counting down the days until Suhana's study permit would expire. After 19 months of sharing morning coffees, late-night study sessions, and dreams of their future together, the thought of being separated felt unbearable. Like thousands of couples across Canada, they faced a choice that would define their relationship's future: navigate the complex world of spousal sponsorship or risk being torn apart by immigration deadlines.

If you're in a similar situation, you're not alone. Every year, over 80,000 Canadians sponsor their spouses and common-law partners for permanent residence. The inland (inside Canada) route has become increasingly popular because it allows couples to stay together while building their case for permanent residence.

But here's what many couples don't realize: the inland sponsorship process has unique requirements, timelines, and pitfalls that can derail even the strongest relationships if you're not prepared.

Who Can Sponsor Their Spouse Inside Canada?

Before you start gathering documents or paying fees, you need to ensure you qualify as a sponsor. The requirements might seem straightforward, but each one has nuances that could affect your application.

Basic Sponsor Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident currently living in Canada. This residency requirement is non-negotiable for inland applications – even brief trips outside Canada should be kept short to avoid complications.

Here's where it gets interesting: if you're a Canadian citizen, you normally have the right to live outside Canada while sponsoring a spouse. However, this doesn't apply to inland applications because your spouse must live with you in Canada throughout the process.

The 3-Year Financial Undertaking

When you sponsor your spouse, you're signing up for a 3-year financial commitment that begins the day they become a permanent resident. During this period, if your spouse receives social assistance (welfare), you'll be required to pay it back to the government.

This undertaking survives relationship breakdown. Even if you divorce or separate, you remain financially responsible for the full 3-year period. It's a sobering commitment that reflects the government's expectation that sponsors can genuinely support their partners.

If your spouse has children, your undertaking extends to them as well, with durations varying by age:

• Under 15 years old: 10 years from becoming a permanent resident
• 15-22 years old: Until they turn 25
• 22+ years old: 3 years from becoming a permanent resident

Criminal Record Restrictions

Certain criminal convictions can permanently disqualify you from sponsoring a spouse. The government is particularly strict about:

• Domestic violence against current or former family members
• Sexual abuse offenses
• Significant violent crimes

However, there are exceptions. A record suspension (formerly called a pardon) in Canada might help, and for foreign convictions, you may qualify if five years have passed since completing your sentence.

Financial and Legal Barriers

You cannot sponsor if you're:

• Currently bankrupt (discharged bankrupts may proceed)
• Receiving social assistance (disability-related assistance is exempt)
• Subject to a removal order
• Under a 5-year sponsorship ban (applies if you were previously sponsored as a spouse)
• Still bound by a previous undertaking

Who Qualifies as an Eligible Applicant?

Your spouse or common-law partner must meet specific criteria to be sponsored through the inland process.

Spouse vs. Common-Law Partner Definitions

The distinction matters more than you might think. Spouses are legally married individuals, while common-law partners have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

For inland applications, both spouses and common-law partners are eligible, but conjugal partners are not. If you're in a conjugal relationship (typically due to immigration barriers preventing cohabitation), you must apply through the outside Canada process.

The Co-Habitation Requirement

This is where many applications stumble. You must prove you're living together in Canada at the time of application and throughout the process. Immigration officers look for:

• Joint lease agreements or shared property ownership
• Government-issued documents showing the same address (driver's licenses, health cards)
• Utility bills in both names
• Bank statements with matching addresses
• Insurance policies listing the same residence

The key is consistency across multiple document types and time periods. Officers are trained to spot arrangements that look temporary or artificial.

Marriage Ceremony Attendance

If you're married, both spouses must have been physically present at the ceremony. Proxy marriages or remote ceremonies don't qualify, with limited exceptions for Canadian Armed Forces members.

This requirement has caught some couples off-guard, particularly those from cultures where proxy marriages are common or those who married during COVID-19 restrictions.

Proving Your Relationship is Genuine

The "bad faith" rejection haunts many sponsorship applications. Immigration officers must determine whether your relationship is genuine or primarily motivated by immigration benefits.

What Officers Look For

Genuine relationships typically show:

• Financial interdependence (joint bank accounts, shared expenses)
• Social recognition (photos with friends and family, social media presence)
• Communication history (emails, texts, call logs spanning your relationship)
• Shared responsibilities (household management, decision-making)
• Future planning (joint investments, shared goals, wills naming each other)

Red Flags That Trigger Scrutiny

Officers become suspicious when they see:

• Large age gaps without clear explanation
• Very short relationships before marriage
• Limited communication history
• No shared financial responsibilities
• Inability to provide details about each other's daily lives
• Previous failed sponsorship applications

Building Your Evidence Package

Start collecting evidence early in your relationship, not just when you're ready to apply. The strongest applications tell a story of genuine partnership through:

• Photos from different time periods and occasions
• Letters from friends and family who know your relationship
• Evidence of shared experiences (travel, events, milestones)
• Documentation of support during difficult times
• Proof of introducing each other to family and friends

Work Permits: A Game-Changing Benefit

One major advantage of inland sponsorship is the ability to apply for an open work permit simultaneously. This allows your spouse to work for any employer in Canada while the sponsorship processes.

The work permit typically processes faster than the sponsorship application, often within 4-6 months. This means your spouse can contribute financially and gain Canadian work experience, strengthening both your financial position and their future integration.

The Application Process Step-by-Step

Document Collection and Preparation

Gathering documents is often the most time-consuming phase. You'll need:

• Identity documents for both parties
• Relationship evidence spanning your entire relationship
• Police certificates from all countries where either party lived for 6+ months since age 18
• Medical examination results
• Proof of co-habitation in Canada
• Financial documents showing the sponsor's ability to support

Fees and Financial Investment

As of 2025, expect to pay:

• Processing fees: $630 ($85 sponsor + $545 applicant)
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $575
• Biometrics: $85 (or $170 if including children over 14)
• Additional processing fees for dependent children: $175 each

Processing Timeline Expectations

Inland sponsorship applications currently take 12-20 months to process, though this varies based on:

• Application completeness and quality
• Officer workload at your processing center
• Whether additional documents or interviews are required
• Complexity of your case (previous marriages, children, criminal history)

The Virtual Landing Process

If approved, your spouse becomes a permanent resident through a virtual landing process – no need to leave and re-enter Canada. They'll receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence document and can immediately apply for a permanent resident card.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Incomplete Applications

Nearly 30% of applications are returned due to missing documents or forms. Use the document checklist religiously and have someone else review your package before submission.

Insufficient Relationship Evidence

Don't assume your relationship is obviously genuine. Officers see hundreds of applications and need clear, compelling evidence. When in doubt, include more documentation rather than less.

Ignoring Co-Habitation Requirements

Temporary separations for work, study, or family emergencies can complicate your application. If separation is necessary, document the reasons and maintain evidence of your intention to resume cohabitation.

Poor Communication with Immigration Authorities

Respond promptly to all requests for additional information. Missing deadlines or providing incomplete responses can result in application refusal.

What Happens If Your Application is Refused?

Unlike outside Canada applications, inland sponsorship refusals cannot be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division. Your options are limited to:

• Judicial review (challenging the decision in Federal Court)
• Reapplying with a stronger case
• Applying through the outside Canada stream

This makes getting your inland application right the first time crucial. The stakes are higher because your spouse may lose their temporary status if refused, potentially leading to removal from Canada.

Special Considerations and Complex Situations

Previous Sponsorships

If you previously sponsored a spouse or common-law partner, you cannot sponsor again until your previous undertaking expires (typically 3 years from their landing date).

Dependent Children

Including your spouse's children adds complexity but is often necessary. Each child requires additional documentation, medical examinations, and processing fees. If your spouse's child has their own dependent child, you'll need to meet minimum income requirements equivalent to the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size.

Criminal Inadmissibility

If your spouse has a criminal record, they may need to overcome inadmissibility before being approved. This might involve applying for criminal rehabilitation or a temporary resident permit, adding significant time to the process.

Making the Right Choice for Your Family

Inland sponsorship isn't right for everyone. Consider the outside Canada route if:

• Your spouse frequently travels for work or family obligations
• You have a complex case that might benefit from appeal rights
• Processing times for outside applications are significantly shorter for your spouse's country
• Your spouse doesn't have legal status in Canada

Choose inland sponsorship when:

• Staying together is your top priority
• Your spouse can work in Canada during processing
• You have strong co-habitation evidence
• Your case is relatively straightforward

The decision shapes not just your immigration timeline, but your family's entire experience during what can be a stressful period. Consider consulting with an immigration professional who can assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach.

Your journey to permanent residence is more than just paperwork – it's about building a life together in Canada. With proper preparation, realistic expectations, and attention to detail, the inland sponsorship process can unite your family while laying the foundation for your Canadian future. The key is understanding that immigration officers aren't trying to separate genuine couples; they're working to identify relationships that exist primarily for immigration purposes. When you can clearly demonstrate the authenticity and depth of your partnership, you're well on your way to success.