Updated on December 11, 2025 by canadian immigration experts
Reuniting with the person you love most is one of life’s greatest priorities, and for many, bringing a spouse or partner to Canada is the first step in building a future together. At Jane Katkova & Associates, we understand how emotional and critical this process is. Spousal Sponsorship is more than a legal application. It’s about protecting the integrity of your relationship, securing your shared future, and ensuring every document is filed perfectly to avoid painful delays or refusals.
Canada’s family reunification policy allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. While the program is generous in spirit, sponsorship applications are closely scrutinized. An incomplete form, insufficient evidence, or misunderstanding of eligibility rules can cause serious delays or even rejection. That’s why our firm provides comprehensive guidance at every stage. We don’t just file your paperwork; we manage your case as if it were our own family.
Who Can Sponsor a Spouse or a Partner to Canada?
You may be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a registered Indian under the Indian Act.
- If you are a permanent resident, you reside in Canada. If a citizen, you must demonstrate your intention to return once your partner is approved.
- You are not in default of a previous sponsorship.
- You are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
- You have no serious criminal convictions related to violent or sexual offences.
As a sponsor, you commit to financially supporting your spouse or partner for three years from the day they become a permanent resident. This undertaking is binding, even in the event of separation or divorce.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
You can sponsor:
- A legal spouse (marriage legally recognized in the country where it took place and under Canadian law)
- A common-law partner (you must have lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship)
- A conjugal partner (you’ve been in a committed relationship for at least one year, but are unable to live together or marry due to barriers such as immigration restrictions, religion, or sexual orientation)
The sponsored person must be at least 18 years old and pass background, security, and medical checks. Crucially, your relationship must be genuine and not entered into for the purpose of acquiring immigration status.
Step-by-Step Path to Get Spousal Sponsorship to Canada
Step 1: Consultation and Eligibility Review
We begin with a personalized assessment. Are you eligible to sponsor? Does your relationship qualify under the IRCC definitions? Is inland or outland sponsorship the better path for your situation and needs? These questions form the foundation of a winning strategy.
Step 2: Document Preparation and Relationship Proof
At Jane Katkova & Associates, we have a proprietary application preparation methodology called Case Mapping. The Case Mapping Session begins the preparation of your application. During the Case Mapping session, you will meet with Jane Katkova and a case manager assigned to your case for Jane to build your case, going through each detail, identifying substantiating documentation Jane would like to see in support of your application, and a final structure of your case that Jane sees at the end of the case preparation stage.
Jane builds a structure for the application package to be submitted. This application package will be put together by the client and the case manager to ensure that we compile an exhaustive, persuasive, and well-documented application that shows your relationship is authentic.
Step 3: Submission via IRCC’s Online Portal
Sponsorship applications are filed through IRCC’s permanent residence portal. We manage this process for you, from account creation to uploading the application forms and supporting documentary evidence of your relationship, along with certified translations of your documentation into English or French and payment of government application fees.
Every detail of your application is carefully considered, prepared, and uploaded for IRCC’s consideration.
Step 4: Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) and Processing
Once IRCC confirms receipt, your application enters the review phase. You will be informed of biometric and medical requirements at a later stage. Throughout the entire time your application is being processed, your case manager, under the supervision of Jane Katkova, will monitor the status of your application, ensure that all requirements and timelines are met, and that all responses to IRCC requirements are provided on time.
Step 5: Work Permit (Inland Sponsorship Only)
Suppose your spouse is already in Canada with a valid status. In that case, we will apply for spouse open work permit after your permanent residence application has been received and assigned a file number. Upon receiving a work permit, you will be able to legally work in Canada while your permanent residence application is being processed. Once you receive your work permit, you will be able to apply for health care coverage through your provincial Department of Health.
Step 6: Final Decision and Landing
Upon the approval of the application for permanent residence in Canada, the sponsored partner receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. If the application was processed in-land, a permanent residence card will be delivered to your mailbox. We will guide you through the final details of your application until you receive your permanent residence card and are ready to celebrate.
For Quebec Residents – Additional Sponsorship Requirements
If you reside in Quebec, additional steps are required after the federal application is accepted in principle. You must complete a sponsorship undertaking with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). Quebec has its own financial and procedural standards, and delays can occur if compliance is not maintained. Our firm is experienced in managing both the federal and Quebec phases of spousal sponsorship and ensures that your obligations are met seamlessly in both systems.
Common Questions About Spousal Sponsorship
Can my spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR approval?
Yes. If you’re applying from within Canada and your partner is already in Canada with a valid status, they may apply for an open work permit. This allows them to work legally while awaiting approval of their permanent residence. This is not available for outland applicants.
Do I need to meet a minimum income level to sponsor?
Generally no. Unlike parental sponsorship, spousal sponsorship does not require proof of meeting a specific income threshold for eligibility. However, you must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability) and must commit to financially supporting your spouse for three years.
How long does sponsorship take?
IRCC’s stated processing time is approximately 12 months for most applications, though delays are possible depending on the immigration center’s workload, the completeness of the application, and the background checks IRCC conducts on each applicant behind the scenes.
A strong initial submission of a well-substantiated application usually helps prevent processing setbacks.
Can my spouse/conjugal partner visit Canada while the application is being processed?
Suppose your spouse or partner is out of the country. In that case, he/she can apply for a temporary resident visa to Canada through the Facilitated processing of Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) for spousal applicants. While IRCC does not guarantee approval, in our practice, 99% of such applications were approved, and sponsored spouses received a TRV.
Can I appeal if my sponsorship is refused?
Yes, you can. You can appeal a refused application. If your sponsor was from abroad and the application was refused, you have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD). Inland applications do not carry appeal rights. Instead, you may reapply or seek judicial review. We evaluate these options with you.
Why Choose Jane Katkova & Associates
With over 20 years of experience in Canadian immigration law, our firm has a proven track record of helping couples reunite in Canada. We manage complex spousal sponsorship applications with precision and care, advising on eligibility, preparing compelling documentation, and handling every procedural requirement. We have helped hundreds of families avoid costly mistakes, refused applications, and painful delays.
When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a representative. You’re gaining a partner committed to your relationship’s future. We stay with you from your first consultation to the moment your loved one arrives in Canada, and beyond. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s your life. Let us help you protect it.
