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Family Class

Bring your spouse, partner, or child to Canada.

Family sponsorship lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child for permanent residence. Getting the inland vs. outland decision right — and the relationship evidence airtight — is most of the battle.

Outland Processing
~15 months
Faster of the two streams, outside Quebec
Inland Processing
~21 months
Spouse must remain in Canada throughout
Government Fees
~$1,290
Spousal sponsorship, principal applicant
Minimum Income
Not required
For spouse/partner sponsorship specifically
The Most Consequential Decision

Inland vs. outland sponsorship.

Both streams lead to the same outcome — but the journey is genuinely different. We help you choose the one that fits your actual circumstances, not just the faster headline number.

Outland Sponsorship

  • Used when the sponsored spouse/partner lives outside Canada, or by choice even if they're already inside
  • Faster on average — roughly 15 months outside Quebec
  • Spouse can visit Canada on a visitor visa during processing under dual intent, with 90%+ approval rates and ~30-day processing
  • No automatic open work permit while waiting, unless separately eligible

Inland Sponsorship

  • Spouse must be physically in Canada with valid status when you apply and throughout processing
  • Slower — roughly 21 months outside Quebec
  • Spouse may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit once the application is acknowledged
  • Travel outside Canada during processing carries re-entry risk
For many couples where the spouse is already in Canada, applying outland anyway is a legitimate and often-used strategy — it can mean faster overall processing while the spouse still applies for a work permit using the dual-intent provision.
Proving the Relationship

What actually gets sponsorships approved.

Our Process

From relationship evidence to landing.

1

Sponsor & Relationship Assessment

We confirm sponsor eligibility (no prior defaults, no relevant bars) and identify the strongest evidence for your specific relationship category.

2

Stream Selection

We walk through the inland vs. outland tradeoffs against your actual circumstances — where your spouse lives now, travel needs, and work permit timing.

3

Application Preparation

IMM 1344 and supporting forms, the full relationship evidence package, and biometrics — submitted as one complete file to avoid a Procedural Fairness Letter.

4

Processing & Landing

We track your file, respond promptly to any requests, and prepare you for what happens after Approval in Principle through to permanent residence.

Common Questions

Family Sponsorship FAQ

Is there a minimum income requirement to sponsor my spouse?

No — unlike parent and grandparent sponsorship, spousal and dependent child sponsorship has no Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold. You still need to show you can meet basic financial needs.

Can I sponsor my spouse if I live outside Canada?

Yes, if you're a Canadian citizen — you can sponsor while living abroad as long as you can demonstrate your intention to return to Canada once your spouse becomes a permanent resident. This option is more limited for permanent resident sponsors.

What if my sponsorship application is refused?

You can appeal the decision or reapply. Refusals are often tied to incomplete relationship evidence or eligibility issues — we review what went wrong before deciding the best next step.

Does marrying a Canadian automatically give my spouse PR?

No. Marriage alone doesn't grant permanent residence — your spouse becomes a PR only once a sponsorship application is submitted and approved.

Related Pathways

Other routes worth knowing about.

Get Started

Choose the right sponsorship stream the first time.

A free consultation, no obligation — just a clear, honest read on your options.

Book a Free Consultation
Figures and program details reflect publicly available IRCC information as of mid-2026 and are provided for general guidance only — not legal advice. Confirm current details with your consultant before relying on any number here.