Inland or outland
| Item | Inland (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class) | Outland (Family class) |
|---|---|---|
| Where your partner lives | With you in Canada, with valid temporary resident status (or exempt under a public policy) | Outside Canada; or with you in Canada but not staying while the application is processed |
| Open work permit | May qualify while the application is processed | See the conditions below |
| Appeal after a refusal | IRCC advises the Family class if you plan to appeal a refusal | IRCC tells you in writing if you can appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) |
If your partner leaves Canada during an inland application, they may not be allowed back; if they cannot return, you must submit a new overseas application.
Source: IRCC: Sponsor your spouse, complete guide (IMM 5289), checked 2026-10-17.
Open work permit while you wait
- Your partner lives in Canada with you, the relationship is genuine, and they are included in the permanent residence application;
- they have valid temporary resident status, or have restored it;
- they can apply once they have the acknowledgement of receipt (AOR); if their status expires in 2 weeks or less, they can apply before the AOR.
No work permit if the permanent residence application was refused, withdrawn or returned, and not at a port of entry.
Source: IRCC: Open work permit for spouses sponsored in Canada, checked 2026-10-17.
Who can sponsor
- Age and status: at least 18, and a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a person registered under the Indian Act.
- Residence: you must live in Canada. A citizen living abroad must show they will live in Canada when the partner becomes a permanent resident; a permanent resident living abroad cannot sponsor.
- Sponsored as a spouse yourself: if you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago, you may not be able to sponsor a new spouse or partner.
- Social assistance: receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability may make you ineligible.
- Income: in most cases there is no income requirement; exceptions involve dependent children who have children of their own.
Source: IRCC: Check if you're eligible, checked 2026-10-17.
The 3-year undertaking
You promise to support the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children: food, clothing, shelter, and dental, eye and other health care not covered by public health services. The undertaking runs 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident. If they receive social assistance in that time, you must pay it back, and you cannot sponsor anyone else until you have. Divorce, separation or the end of the relationship does not cancel it.
Source: IRCC: Sponsor your spouse, complete guide (IMM 5289), checked 2026-10-17.
Proof the relationship is genuine
The officer must be satisfied the relationship is genuine and was not entered into mainly to get status in Canada. Evidence officers consider includes:
- Living together: joint leases, joint rent receipts, joint bank accounts or credit cards;
- Shared finances: records of support between you or of shared expenses, and joint purchases for the household;
- Recognition by others: letters from friends and family, and photos showing you as a couple;
- Common-law partners: proof that you share a home, support each other financially and emotionally, have children together (if any) and present yourselves as a couple.
Proof of communication is limited to 10 pages with the application. If the evidence is not enough, the officer may ask for more information or an interview.
Source: IRCC: Assessing the relationship; IRCC: complete guide, checked 2026-10-17.
Fees
| Item | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Sponsor your spouse or partner (sponsorship, processing and right of permanent residence fees) | C$1,260 |
| Each dependent child | C$180 |
| Biometrics, individual | C$85 |
Source: IRCC: Fee list. Details are on the family sponsorship page.