Sponsorship of spouse, partner, and dependent children

Updated October 8, 2026 — sources: IRCC and the Government of Quebec.

Sponsorship of Spouses, Common-Law Partners, and Dependent Children

The program allows eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor family members to become permanent residents. IRCC currently lists the program as open.

What are the sponsor requirements?

Must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act; and eligible to sign a financial undertaking. Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor. Canadian citizens abroad must demonstrate their intention to return when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.

There is generally no minimum income requirement, except when the sponsored person’s dependent child also has a dependent child. Social assistance, outstanding sponsorship/support obligations, unreleased bankruptcies, and criminal or deportation issues must be checked.

A person who was sponsored by a spouse or common-law partner and became a permanent resident less than five years ago, or who is still bound by an undertaking to a previous spouse or common-law partner, may not be eligible to sponsor again.

Who can be sponsored?

• Spouse: legally married, at least 18 years old, and in a genuine relationship.
• Common-law partner: at least 18 years old, and has cohabited in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months.
• Conjugal partner: at least 18 years old, outside Canada, has been in a committed relationship for at least one year, and faces practical barriers to marriage or cohabitation; must meet IRCC criteria.
• Dependent child: under 22 years old and unmarried, without a common-law partner; at 22 or older, may be eligible if financially dependent before age 22 and unable to support themselves due to physical or mental conditions.

All family members must be declared, including children who will not accompany the sponsored person. The temporary policy allowing some undeclared family members has ended on September 10, 2026; eligible applications submitted during the policy period will still be considered. Cases where a family member was previously omitted should be assessed separately by an RCIC or lawyer.

Financial Undertaking Outside Quebec

The undertaking remains in effect in cases of separation, divorce, or financial hardship. If the sponsor receives social assistance that is considered part of the undertaking obligations, they must repay it.

Application Process

1. Assess eligibility and choose the appropriate application type: Family Class or Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
2. Prepare the sponsorship and permanent residency applications, personal documents, proof of the relationship, child documents, and translations according to the checklist.
3. Submit through the Permanent Residence Portal, sign the forms, and pay the government fees.
4. Monitor the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) and respond to requests for medical exams, biometrics, police clearances, or additional information.
5. Complete the permanent residency confirmation process once approved.

The required documents depend on the country and family circumstances. Fees and processing times should be checked directly with IRCC at the time of submission.

Open Work Permit While in Canada

A sponsored spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner and accompanying dependent children may be eligible to apply for an open work permit (OWP) if they meet the requirements. Generally, an AOR confirming that the permanent residency application is being processed, cohabitation with the sponsor in Canada, and eligible status are required.

The principal applicant may apply without an AOR if they have submitted a permanent residency application under the correct category and their permit or temporary status will expire in two weeks or less. Those whose status is no longer valid under the spousal public policy must wait for approval in principle before submitting a paper work permit application according to IRCC instructions.

Submitting a permanent residency application does not automatically grant the right to work or maintain temporary status. Valid work authorization is required before starting work.

Cases Involving Quebec Residents

The undertaking must be completed with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) according to IRCC instructions and Quebec regulations. For the period from February 7, 2026, to June 30, 2028, the quota for spouse and common-law partner undertakings is 13,300. The reception schedule depends on the date the eligibility letter or AOR is issued by IRCC, not the permanent residency submission date. Dependent children who are eligible are exempt from this quota and schedule. Check the official schedule before submitting the MIFI application.

KeyApply Services

KeyApply assists with coordinating, collecting, and preparing documents; providing immigration advice and representation by a licensed RCIC or lawyer. The “Application Assessment Registration” variant requires contacting us; service fees are quoted separately based on the scope of work.

When contacting us, please be prepared to provide your citizenship/permanent residency status, both parties’ place of residence, the timeline of the relationship and cohabitation, marriage/divorce documents, information about children, and previous immigration records. You can call, email, or message us through KeyApply.com.

Official Resources

• IRCC — Overview
• Sponsor Requirements
• Sponsored Persons and Undeclared Family Members
• Financial Undertaking
• How to Apply
• Open Work Permit
• Quebec — Reception Schedule and Quotas