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Federal · Canada-wide / Immigration & citizenship

Sponsor a spouse or partner for permanent residence

Prepared by · Sources checked

How do I apply to sponsor my spouse or partner for Canadian permanent residence?

Spouse or partner sponsorship involves two applications submitted together: one for sponsorship and one for permanent residence. The principal applicant submits them through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal after both people check the relevant requirements.

Where to begin

  1. Read sponsor eligibility, relationship requirements and the undertaking responsibilities before preparing an application.
  2. Get the application package matching the relationship and country-specific instructions.
  3. Prepare both applications, the required forms, documents and declarations about family members.
  4. Use the principal applicant’s PR Portal application; pay the applicable official fees and include the receipt.
  5. Check completeness and have the principal applicant electronically sign and submit. Follow any later IRCC requests.
  6. For a sponsor in Quebec, follow Quebec’s additional requirements and wait for IRCC’s instruction before submitting the provincial undertaking.

Before you open the official service

  • Applicable IRCC application package
  • Required relationship and identity evidence
  • Sponsor and principal applicant information

Keep your actual documents and account details off this website. Use the official service’s current checklist before applying.

What to check for your situation

IRCC assesses both applications. Age, status, residence, previous sponsorship and other restrictions can affect eligibility. Sponsorship is a financial undertaking; submitting it does not grant PR or work permission.

Fees, processing times and document rules can change. This page helps you navigate; it does not confirm eligibility or replace the government’s instructions.

Official sources

Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.