Sponsoring Your Spouse to Come to Canada: A Guide to the Process
You are considered a spouse if you are legally married to your sponsor and the marriage is legally valid under the law where it took place and under Canadian law.
Under Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship Program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor their spouse to become a permanent resident of Canada, provided both the sponsor and applicant meet eligibility and admissibility requirements.
If you were married in Canada
You must provide a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory where the marriage took place. The marriage must be legally recognized in Canada.
If you were married outside Canada
The marriage must be:
- Legally valid under the law of the country where it took place
- Recognized under Canadian law
A marriage performed in an embassy or consulate must comply with the laws of the country where the marriage occurred, not the nationality of the embassy or consulate.
Sponsoring a Same-Sex Spouse
Canada legally recognizes same-sex marriages. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor a same-sex spouse if:
- The marriage is legally valid where it took place
- The marriage is recognized under Canadian law
- All sponsorship eligibility requirements are met
IRCC no longer restricts sponsorship based on specific provinces, territories, or jurisdictions, provided the marriage is legally recognized.
Additional Requirements
To sponsor a spouse, the sponsor must generally:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability)
- Be able to financially support the sponsored spouse
- Sign an undertaking to support the spouse for the required period
The sponsored spouse must also pass:
- Medical examination
- Background verification
- Security checks
Processing times may vary depending on the country of residence and completeness of the application.
