To sponsor a spouse or common law partner for permanent residence, both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet specific requirements under Canadian immigration law.
To qualify as a sponsor, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Reside in Canada (or demonstrate intent to return if applying as a citizen from abroad)
- Not receiving social assistance, except for disability
- Not be in default of previous sponsorship undertakings, immigration loans, or court-ordered support payments
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt
- Not have certain criminal convictions, particularly involving violence or family members
Sponsors are also bound to financially support their spouse or partner for three years after permanent resident status is granted and remains in effect even if the relationship ends.
On the other hand, the sponsored spouse or partner must be admissible to Canada (including medical, criminal, and security clearances), and provide biometrics and complete required background checks.
Spousal sponsorship processing times generally range from approximately 10 to 24 months from submission to final approval. The timeline can depend on whether the application is submitted inside or outside Canada and the overall complexity of the case.
Our immigration law firm represents clients before the Immigration Appeal Division and, where necessary, pursues judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada. Whether your situation involves family law considerations, child support matters, or complex immigration history, our team at DLegal Law Office is here to provide the support you need. Give us a call today to get started.
