Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) places family class immigration applications at the top of the priority list. Canada places high value on families, and aims to keep them together, or to bring them together as quickly as possible if some family members are outside of Canada.

There are several programs under the Family Class of immigration that allow citizens and permanent residents of Canada to sponsor close family members, such as parents, grandparents and children. The Spousal & Common-law Partner Sponsorship is a program under the Family Class, whereby a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor his or her spouse or common-law/conjugal partner for permanent residence.

Spousal & Common-law Partner Sponsorship is divided into two categories:

• Outland sponsorship: This is the route used when the sponsored person is outside of Canada, and it is also an option for applicants who are in Canada. The application is processed through the visa office in the applicant’s country of origin, or in their country of residence if they have been living there for at least one year.
• Inland sponsorship: This is the route generally used when the sponsored person already has legal status in Canada, be it as a visitor, international student, or temporary foreign worker. The sponsored person may qualify for an open work permit that allows them to work for any employer in Canada while their application is being processed.

In order to be a sponsor, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be 18 years of age or older, and they must submit an application to IRCC. They may be asked to submit proof of the relationship, such as a marriage certificate or family photos. Once the permanent resident application has been approved, the sponsor is financially responsible for the sponsored person for a period of three years, and the sponsored person cannot be a sponsor for a spouse themselves for five years.