Spousal Sponsorship

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you can sponsor your:

• spouse,
• common-law or conjugal partner, or
• dependent children

to immigrate to Canada.If you sponsor a family member to immigrate to Canada, you must provide proof that you can:

• meet basic needs—such as food, clothing and shelter—for yourself and your family,
• support your relative financially and
• make sure your spouse or relative does not need to ask for financial help from the government.

You can apply to sponsor your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children to immigrate to Canada. It does not matter if they live in or outside Canada. If they live in Canada, they do not need to have legal status to be sponsored.

Your family member must have medical, criminal and background checks. If they have a criminal record or are a risk to Canada’s security, they may not be allowed to enter Canada.

They may have to get a police certificate in their home country.