Marriage During Immigration: Complete 2025 Guide

Navigate marriage during Canadian immigration without derailing your dreams

On This Page You Will Find:

• Essential requirements for valid marriages during immigration
• Step-by-step process when marrying before application approval
• Critical actions needed when approved but not yet landed
• Complete documentation checklist with current fees
• How to handle spouse's dependent children properly

Summary:

Getting married while your Canadian immigration application is in process can dramatically impact your case - but it doesn't have to derail your dreams. Whether you're still waiting for approval, already approved but haven't landed, or planning to marry after becoming a permanent resident, this guide reveals exactly what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires. You'll discover the specific forms needed, current processing fees ($570 for spouse processing, plus additional costs), and the crucial documentation that proves your marriage is genuine. Most importantly, you'll learn the critical mistake that could result in removal from Canada and how to avoid it completely.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• You must inform IRCC immediately when marrying during any stage of immigration - failure to do so can result in removal orders
• Valid marriages require official recognition, physical presence of both parties, and cannot be primarily for immigration purposes
• If approved but not landed, DO NOT travel to Canada until IRCC re-evaluates your application with your new spouse
• Current fees include $570 for spouse processing, $85 for biometrics, and $515 Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• Dependent children of your spouse must be examined for inadmissibility even if not accompanying you to Canada

Maria stared at her engagement ring, then at the email from IRCC requesting additional documents for her Express Entry application. After 14 months of waiting, her boyfriend had finally proposed - but now she faced a terrifying question: would getting married destroy her chances of immigrating to Canada?

If you've found yourself in a similar situation, you're not alone. Immigration applications can stretch for months or years, and life doesn't pause while you wait. The good news? Marriage during immigration is completely manageable when you know the rules and follow the proper procedures.

What Makes a Marriage Valid for Immigration

IRCC doesn't recognize just any ceremony as a valid marriage. Your union must meet four specific criteria that could make or break your application:

Official Recognition is Non-Negotiable

Your marriage must be legally recognized in the jurisdiction where it takes place. This means signing official documents and having the local government acknowledge your union. A beautiful ceremony without legal backing won't satisfy IRCC requirements.

Physical Presence is Mandatory

Both you and your spouse must be physically present during the ceremony. IRCC explicitly rejects online marriages, proxy marriages, or any arrangement where one party participates remotely. This requirement stems from family reunification criteria and helps prevent fraudulent marriages.

Genuine Intent is Scrutinized

Here's where many couples stumble: IRCC will investigate whether your marriage is primarily for immigration purposes. Marriages of convenience, sham arrangements, or unions that appear fake can result in application refusal and a five-year ban from Canada.

Same-Sex Marriages are Fully Recognized

Canada recognizes marriages between people of the same or opposite sex, provided all other requirements are met.

⚠️ Critical Warning: Misrepresentation about your marital status can trigger a five-year inadmissibility ban. Always declare changes honestly and promptly.

Marrying Before Your Application is Approved

If IRCC hasn't made a decision on your application when you get married, you're in the most straightforward situation - but action is still required immediately.

Required Forms and Updates

You'll need to complete several forms for your new spouse, though specific requirements vary by application type:

Essential Forms Include:

• Schedule A, Background (IMM 5669) for your spouse
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) updated to include spouse
• Updated Generic Application form (IMM 0008) showing marital status change
• Use of Representative form (IMM 5476) if you work with an immigration consultant or lawyer

Official Marriage Documentation

IRCC requires concrete proof that your marriage occurred and is legally valid:

• Marriage certificate (certified copy)
• Family registration certificate (if applicable in your country)
• Updated birth registration or national ID showing married status
• Any additional official documents that confirm the marriage took place

Proving Your Marriage is Genuine

This is where many applications succeed or fail. IRCC wants evidence that your relationship is real, not a marriage of convenience. Strong supporting documents include:

Financial Interdependence:

• Joint bank account statements showing regular activity
• Shared property ownership or lease agreements
• Joint investments or insurance policies
• Evidence of financial support between spouses

Cohabitation Evidence:

• Matching addresses on government documents, bills, or official correspondence
• Joint utility accounts or rental agreements
• Mail addressed to both parties at the same address

Social Recognition:

• Letters from friends and family who know your relationship
• Photos together at various events and time periods
• Wedding reception bookings or ceremony arrangements
• Social media evidence of your relationship (use sparingly)

Communication History:

• Email exchanges over time
• Text message screenshots (key conversations only)
• Phone call logs showing regular contact
• Video call history if you were in different locations

Legal and Financial Trust:

• Naming each other as beneficiaries on life insurance or wills
• Joint credit cards or loans
• Power of attorney documents

Current Processing Fees

Budget for these mandatory costs when adding your spouse:

• Spouse processing fee: $570
• Biometrics fee: $85 (if required)
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515 (paid before landing)

Total potential cost: $1,170 (fees subject to change)

The Critical Approved-But-Not-Landed Scenario

This situation requires extreme caution. If you marry after IRCC approves your application but before you land in Canada, you face serious consequences if you don't handle it properly.

DO NOT TRAVEL TO CANADA

I cannot stress this enough: do not attempt to land in Canada without first informing IRCC of your marriage. Doing so can result in:

• Removal order requiring you to leave Canada immediately
• Voluntary departure under supervision
• Direction to Leave to the United States (for US residents)
• Potential inadmissibility for misrepresentation

The Re-Evaluation Process

When you inform IRCC of your marriage at this stage, they will:

1. Suspend your current approval temporarily
2. Re-evaluate your entire application including your spouse
3. Conduct medical examinations for your spouse
4. Perform security and criminal background checks
5. Review all supporting documentation for genuineness

This process can add 6-12 months to your timeline, but it's absolutely necessary for legal entry to Canada.

Required Documentation

You'll need all the same forms and documents mentioned in the previous section, plus:

• Explanation letter detailing when and where you married
• Updated travel documents if your spouse will accompany you
• Additional medical examinations for your spouse
• Police certificates from all countries where your spouse lived for 6+ months since age 18

💡 Pro Tip: Even if your spouse won't initially accompany you to Canada, you must still declare them and complete the full documentation process. Failing to declare a spouse - even a non-accompanying one - is grounds for removal from Canada.

Marriage After Becoming a Permanent Resident

Once you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or land in Canada, your immigration application officially closes. At this point, marriage doesn't affect your status, but it opens new opportunities.

Spousal Sponsorship Options

As a permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse through two different streams:

Inland Sponsorship (Spouse in Canada):

• Your spouse must be physically present in Canada
• Processing time: approximately 12 months
• Your spouse can apply for an open work permit
• Cannot leave Canada during processing without risking application withdrawal

Outland Sponsorship (Spouse Outside Canada):

• Your spouse remains in their home country during processing
• Processing time: varies by country (8-24 months typically)
• Your spouse can travel freely during processing
• Generally faster processing for most countries

Meeting Sponsorship Requirements

To sponsor a spouse, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Sign an undertaking to provide financial support for 3 years
• Meet minimum income requirements (varies by family size)
• Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability)
• Not be in prison, charged with a serious offense, or bankrupt

Handling Your Spouse's Dependent Children

When your new spouse has children from a previous relationship, the complexity increases significantly - but these situations are entirely manageable with proper preparation.

Defining Dependent Children

IRCC considers children "dependent" if they:

• Are under 22 years old and don't have a spouse or common-law partner, OR
• Are 22 or older but have depended substantially on their parents for financial support since before age 22 due to a physical or mental condition

Additional Documentation Requirements

For dependent children over 18:

• Schedule A, Background (IMM 5669) completed by the child
• Use of Representative form (IMM 5476) if you have professional representation
• Updated Generic Application form (IMM 0008) including all family members

Custody and Consent Issues

This is where many applications encounter serious delays. If your spouse doesn't have sole custody:

Required Documentation:

• Notarized consent letter from the other parent allowing the child to immigrate to Canada
• Court order granting permission to relocate with the child
• Custody agreement clearly outlining parental rights
• Death certificate of the other parent (if deceased)

⚠️ Critical Alert: IRCC treats taking children to Canada without proper consent as kidnapping - a serious criminal offense that results in immediate inadmissibility.

Proving Parent-Child Relationships

You'll need official documents establishing the relationship:

• Birth certificates naming your spouse as parent
• Adoption papers (if applicable)
• DNA test results (in cases where documentation is insufficient)
• Affidavits from family members supporting the relationship

Medical and Security Clearances

All dependent children, regardless of whether they're accompanying you to Canada, must undergo:

• Medical examinations by IRCC-approved panel physicians
• Police certificates from countries where they lived 6+ months since age 18
• Security background checks conducted by IRCC

Common Mistakes That Destroy Applications

After reviewing hundreds of marriage-related immigration cases, certain mistakes appear repeatedly:

Insufficient Relationship Evidence

Many couples submit generic photos and basic documents without telling their unique story. IRCC officers need to see the progression of your relationship over time.

Instead of: 50 random photos from your wedding day Provide: 10-15 photos spanning your relationship timeline with explanatory captions

Delayed Notification

Waiting weeks or months to inform IRCC of your marriage creates suspicion about your motives and can be viewed as misrepresentation.

Best Practice: Notify IRCC within 30 days of your marriage ceremony

Incomplete Financial Documentation

Joint bank accounts with minimal activity don't prove financial interdependence. IRCC wants to see genuine shared financial responsibility.

Strong Evidence: Regular deposits, bill payments, and transactions from both parties over several months

Language Barriers in Documentation

Documents in languages other than English or French must include certified translations, and poor translations can create confusion or suspicion.

Solution: Use certified translation services and include original documents alongside translations

Timeline Expectations and Planning

Understanding realistic timelines helps you plan your marriage and immigration journey effectively:

If Marrying Before Application Approval:

• Document preparation: 2-4 weeks
• Additional processing time: 2-6 months added to original timeline
• Total impact: Minimal if documentation is complete and relationship is well-documented

If Marrying After Approval But Before Landing:

• Re-evaluation process: 6-12 months
• Medical examinations: 1-3 months
• Background checks: 3-8 months
• Total delay: 8-15 months typically

If Marrying After Landing:

• Sponsorship application preparation: 1-2 months
• Processing time (inland): 12 months
• Processing time (outland): 8-24 months depending on country
• Total timeline: 10-26 months from application to spouse's arrival

Financial Planning for Marriage During Immigration

Beyond processing fees, budget for these often-overlooked costs:

Immediate Expenses:

• Document translation: $100-500 depending on volume
• Medical examinations: $200-500 per person
• Police certificates: $50-200 per country
• Courier services: $50-200 for document submission

Ongoing Costs:

• Legal representation: $2,000-8,000 for complex cases
• Travel for interviews: $500-3,000 depending on location
• Temporary accommodation: $1,000-5,000 if spouse visits Canada during processing

Settlement Costs (Post-Approval):

• Travel to Canada: $500-3,000 per person
• Initial settlement expenses: $10,000-20,000 for housing, essentials
• Healthcare coverage gaps: $500-2,000 until provincial coverage begins

When Professional Help Becomes Essential

While many straightforward cases can be handled independently, certain situations require professional immigration assistance:

Red Flag Scenarios:

• Previous visa refusals or immigration violations
• Complex custody situations involving multiple countries
• Significant age differences between spouses
• Short courtship periods before marriage
• Previous marriages with unclear divorce documentation
• Criminal history for any family member
• Medical conditions requiring detailed explanation

Choosing the Right Representative:

• Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for most cases
• Immigration lawyer for complex legal issues or appeals
• Verify credentials through official regulatory bodies
• Request detailed fee structure before committing
• Ask for references from recent clients

Your Next Steps: Creating an Action Plan

Based on your current situation, here's your immediate action plan:

If You're Planning to Marry Soon:

1. Gather relationship evidence starting now - don't wait until after the wedding
2. Organize financial documents showing increasing interdependence
3. Notify IRCC immediately after your ceremony
4. Prepare all required forms in advance to minimize delays

If You Just Got Married:

1. Contact IRCC within 30 days via your online account or by mail
2. Begin document collection for your spouse and any dependent children
3. Schedule medical examinations as soon as possible
4. Calculate total fees and prepare payment methods

If You're Approved But Not Landed:

1. DO NOT travel to Canada until you've completed the notification process
2. Contact IRCC immediately through official channels
3. Prepare for re-evaluation timeline of 6-12 additional months
4. Consider professional assistance given the complexity of this situation

Conclusion

Marriage during Canadian immigration may seem daunting, but thousands of couples successfully navigate this process every year. The key is understanding IRCC's requirements, acting promptly when changes occur, and providing comprehensive documentation that tells your genuine love story.

Remember that immigration officers aren't trying to separate loving couples - they're working to ensure the integrity of Canada's immigration system. When you provide complete, honest documentation and follow proper procedures, your marriage can actually strengthen your immigration case by demonstrating your commitment to building a life in Canada.

Whether you're newly engaged, recently married, or planning a future wedding, take action now to protect your immigration dreams. The documentation you gather today and the procedures you follow tomorrow will determine whether your love story includes a happy ending in Canada.