Family Sponsorship
Spouse & Family Sponsorship Visa: Step-by-Step Guide to Bringing Your Family to Canada
If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or eligible family members to join you in Canada. Here's how the process actually works.
Who Can Sponsor?
You can sponsor a spouse or family member if you are:
- A Canadian citizen, or
- A permanent resident of Canada, and
- At least 18 years old, and
- Able to meet minimum income and support requirements
Who Can Be Sponsored
- Spouse or common-law/conjugal partner
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents (through the separate Parents and Grandparents Program)
Inland vs. Outland Applications
If your spouse is already living with you in Canada, you may apply through the inland stream, which allows them to apply for an open work permit while the sponsorship is processed. If they're living outside Canada, the outland stream is typically faster and lets them travel in and out of Canada during processing.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather proof of your relationship (photos, communication history, shared finances, joint leases)
- Confirm the sponsor meets income and eligibility requirements
- Complete and submit the sponsorship and application forms together
- Attend biometrics and complete the medical examination
- Respond to any additional document requests from IRCC
- Receive a decision — and, if approved, your family member's PR confirmation
What Slows Applications Down
- Missing or inconsistent proof of relationship
- Incomplete forms or missing signatures
- Sponsor not meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (for certain sponsorships)
- Outstanding sponsorship debt from a previous sponsorship
How MIGOVA IMMIGRATION Helps
- Relationship evidence review and organization
- Sponsor eligibility assessment
- Full application preparation and submission
- Ongoing case tracking and IRCC correspondence support
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