Sponsorship

Spousal Sponsorship Documents

Answer questions about your relationship, the sponsor and the person being sponsored. You get an eligibility check and a document checklist built from IRCC's official checklists, with only the items that apply to you.

Source: Guide 5289 – Sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child (complete guide) ↗Source: IMM 5533 – Document checklist: Spouse ↗Source: IMM 5589 – Document checklist: Common-law partner ↗Source: IMM 5629 – Document checklist: Conjugal partner ↗
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Your relationship

How are you related to your sponsor?
Definitions in Guide 5289 ↗
Where does the person being sponsored live now?
Were you both physically present at the marriage, and is it legally registered?Proxy, telephone, fax and internet marriages aren't recognized.
Do you currently live together?
Do you have any children together?
Is this the first marriage for both of you?
Will you have been married for at least 2 years on the day you apply?

Frequently asked questions

Who can sponsor a spouse or partner to Canada?

A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act who is 18 or older, lives in Canada (permanent residents abroad can't sponsor) and isn't barred, for example by a recent sponsorship or unpaid support.

Which document checklist do I use?

IMM 5533 for a spouse, IMM 5589 for a common-law partner and IMM 5629 for a conjugal partner.

How many relationship photos and messages should I include?

Up to 20 photos and up to 10 pages of proof of contact, when the checklist asks for them.

Can my spouse work while the application is processed?

If they live with you in Canada and apply under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class, they may be able to get an open work permit.

Related tools

PR Residency ObligationCheck you meet the 730 days needed to keep PR status.Citizenship Physical PresenceCount your days in Canada toward the 1,095 needed.