Spousal Sponsorship
Expert guidance for sponsoring your spouse, partner, or dependent children to Canada
Reunite with the One(s) You Love
Being separated from the person you love is one of life's greatest hardships. Whether you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you have the right to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to join you permanently in Canada—and to sponsor your dependent children to build your family's future together.
Spousal and partner sponsorship allows couples to reunite and build their lives in Canada, but the application process requires careful attention to one critical element: proving that your relationship is genuine. Immigration officers scrutinize spousal sponsorship applications closely to ensure relationships are real and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
At Fireweed Immigration, we understand what's at stake. We help you tell your love story in a way that immigration officers will understand and accept. Whether your relationship is straightforward or complex—whether you met online, have an age difference, come from different cultures, or have previous marriages—we help you document your relationship thoroughly and compellingly.
We also guide you through critical decisions, such as whether to apply inland (sponsor and applicant both in Canada) or outland (applicant outside Canada). The choice between inland and outland affects processing times, work permit eligibility, and your ability to travel during processing.
Reuniting families is at the heart of Canadian immigration. We're here to help you bring your loved ones home.
Sponsorship Services
Facilitating the journey of bringing families closer through dedicated sponsorship services.
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
If you and your partner have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months, you can sponsor them as a common-law partner.
Spousal Sponsorship
If you are legally married to your partner, you can sponsor them as your spouse. Your marriage must be legally valid in the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
If you and your partner are in a committed relationship but cannot live together or marry due to significant barriers (such as immigration restrictions, marital status laws in their country, or sexual orientation persecution), you may be able to sponsor them as a conjugal partner.
Dependent Children Sponsorship
You can sponsor your dependent children (or your spouse/partner's dependent children) to come to Canada with your spouse/partner, or separately if you're already in Canada.
Understanding your Options
Choosing the Right Process
Inland Sponsorship
Your spouse/partner is already in Canada with valid temporary status (visitor, work permit, study permit)
You want your partner to be eligible for an open work permit while the application is being processed
You prefer to stay together in Canada during processing
Outland Sponsorship
Your spouse/partner is outside Canada
You want the flexibility to travel or visit each other
You want the right to appeal if the application is refused
The applicant is in a country with faster processing times
One of the most important decisions in spousal sponsorship is whether to apply inland or outland. This choice affects processing times, work permits, and your ability to travel.
Disadvantages:
You cannot appeal if refused (limited recourse)
Applicant should not travel outside Canada during processing (leaving may be seen as abandoning the application)
Processing times vary (currently 10-14 months)
Advantages:
Applicant may be eligible for an open work permit (after AIP - Approval in Principle)
You stay together in Canada during processing
Lower risk of relationship breakdown due to separation
Advantages:
Right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) if refused
Applicant can travel and is not required to stay outside Canada (can visit)
Processing times may be faster depending on visa office (currently 8-14 months for many countries)
Disadvantages:
No open work permit eligibility during processing
You are separated during processing (unless visiting frequently)
Best for: Couples who want to stay together and where the applicant has valid status in Canada.
Best for: Couples where the applicant is outside Canada, or where appeal rights are important.
Common Sponsorship Challenges
We Can Handle Complex Cases
Not all relationships fit a traditional mold, and that's okay. We can help with the following challenging situations:
Many couples today meet online—through dating apps, social media, or online communities. IRCC understands this is common, but you must demonstrate that your online relationship developed into a genuine, committed partnership.
Relationships That Started Online
We help you show:
Extensive communication history
Transition from online to in-person relationship
Visits and time spent together physically
Plans for your future and commitment to each other
Short Courtships or Quick Marriages
Some couples know quickly that they want to be together. If you married soon after meeting, we help you explain your relationship's progression and provide evidence of your commitment.
Some couples know quickly that they want to be together. If you married soon after meeting, we help you explain your relationship's progression and provide evidence of your commitment.
Long-Distance Relationships
If you or your partner were previously married, you must provide divorce certificates or proof of previous marriage dissolution. We help you gather and submit these documents correctly.
Previous Marriages or Divorces
Age Differences
Significant age gaps between partners can raise questions, but they do not disqualify you. We help you demonstrate the genuine nature of your relationship regardless of age.
Previous Sponsorship Refusals
If your sponsorship was previously refused, we review the refusal reasons carefully and help you address them in a new application with stronger evidence.
Criminal Inadmissibility
If your spouse/partner has a criminal record, they may be inadmissible to Canada. Depending on the offense and timing, there may be options such as criminal rehabilitation, deemed rehabilitation, or a Temporary Resident Permit. We can assess your situation and advise on next steps.
Proving your Relationship is Genuine: The Most Critical Part of Any Sponsorship Application
Immigration officers must be satisfied that your relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. This is the area where most spousal sponsorship applications face scrutiny or refusal.
IRCC looks for red flags such as:
Short courtship or quick marriage after meeting
Significant age differences
Lack of common language
Met online with limited in-person meetings
Previous failed sponsorships or marriages
Large financial disparities
Limited knowledge of each other's backgrounds
Minimal contact or communication
Understanding Sponsorship
These "red flags" do not mean you cannot be sponsored—many genuine relationships have these characteristics. It means you must provide strong evidence to demonstrate your relationship is real.
When you sponsor your spouse or partner, you sign an undertaking—a legal commitment to financially support them for 3 years from the date they become a permanent resident.
This means:
You are responsible for their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing)
If they receive social assistance during this period, the government may seek repayment from you
This undertaking is legally binding even if your relationship breaks down
We ensure you understand these responsibilities before you apply.
Your Commitment as a Sponsor
Why Choose Fireweed for Spousal Sponsorship?
We Understand What's at Stake Spousal sponsorship is deeply personal. We treat your application with the care and attention it deserves.
We Handle Complex Cases Met online? Previous refusal? Age difference? Previous marriages? Criminal inadmissibility? We have experience with challenging situations.
We Know Relationship Genuineness is Critical We help you document your relationship thoroughly and compellingly, anticipating officer concerns and addressing them proactively.
We Prepare Complete, Organized Applications Spousal sponsorship applications are extensive. We ensure every form is completed correctly and all evidence is organized logically.
We Guide You Through Inland vs. Outland This decision affects your entire experience. We help you choose the option that's best for your circumstances.
We Support You Throughout Processing takes months and can be stressful. We're here to answer questions, provide updates, and support you until your family is reunited.
Experience, Compassion, and Thorough Preparation
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does spousal sponsorship take?
Current processing times are approximately 10-14 months for inland applications and 8-14 months for outland applications (varies by country). Processing times are set by IRCC and subject to change.
Who can be sponsored?
Canada allows eligible persons to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, eligible dependent children, parents, grandparents, orphan relatives, and adopted children. Canada also has a special sponsorship program called the Other Relatives Sponsorship Program, popularly known as the "Lonely Canadian" program.
Can my spouse work while the application is being processed?
For inland applications, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit after Approval in Principle (AIP). For outland applications, there is no work permit eligibility during processing (unless they have separate work authorization).
Can we travel during processing?
Inland: The applicant should not leave Canada during processing, as leaving may be seen as abandoning the application.
Outland: The applicant can travel freely. They can visit Canada as a visitor during processing if they meet visitor requirements.
What is Approval in Principle (AIP)?
For inland applications, AIP is the stage where IRCC confirms the sponsor is eligible and the relationship appears genuine. After AIP, the applicant can apply for an open work permit. AIP typically comes 6-8 months into processing.
What are the eligibility requirements for sponsors?
Do we need to prove we live together?
Spouses: Not required (unless applying as common-law instead of married)
Common-law partners: Yes, you must prove 12+ months of cohabitation
Conjugal partners: You must explain why you cannot live together
In general, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, be at least 18 years old, and able to support the sponsored person financially. You must not be in prison, charged with a serious offense, or have recently declared bankruptcy, or be receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability. Furhermore you must not have been convicted of a violent or sexual offense, or an offense against a relative.
You can include dependent children in the sponsorship application. If the children are included, income requirements (LICO) may apply depending on the number of dependents.
Yes. There is no minimum income requirement for spousal/partner sponsorship (without dependent children). However, you must demonstrate you can support your spouse and will not require social assistance.
Criminal inadmissibility depends on the type and severity of the offense. Options may include criminal rehabilitation, deemed rehabilitation, or a Temporary Resident Permit. We assess your situation and advise on eligibility.
Yes. Canada recognizes same-sex marriages and relationships for immigration purposes. Same-sex couples have the same rights as opposite-sex couples.
Can I sponsor my spouse if I'm unemployed?
What if my spouse has dependent children?
Can same-sex couples sponsor each other?
What if my spouse has a criminal record?
Ready to Reunite With Your Loved Ones?
If you're ready to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent children, or if you have questions about your eligibility or the process, we're here to help.
