Being able to reunite with your loved one is something that matters. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 years of age or older, you are allowed to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
If you are a permanent resident, you must reside in Canada to sponsor. If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not have to reside in Canada at the time of your application, but you must be able to prove that you will reside in Canada once your family member becomes a permanent resident.
Under this category, there are two types of applications: inland or outland. Depending on your situation, each can represent benefits or disadvantages. One key difference is that applicants under the inland stream may be eligible to apply for an open work permit while their application is being processed, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada without a job offer. Both the sponsor and the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for this category.
To determine which category fits your situation, it helps to understand the following definitions:
Spouse
This means the couple is legally married.
If your marriage took place within Canada, a Certificate of Marriage from the province or territory where the marriage occurred will show that the marriage is valid. Same-sex marriages performed within Canada are valid for spousal sponsorship. If the marriage took place outside of Canada, it must be valid under the law of the country where it took place, as well as under Canadian federal law. If the laws of your country do not recognize a same-sex marriage as valid, an application can still be made under either the common-law partner or conjugal partner category, as long as the relationship can be proven.
Common-Law Partner
To establish a common-law relationship, the sponsor and the sponsored person must have cohabited continuously, in a conjugal relationship, for at least 12 consecutive months, with only brief, temporary separations for reasons such as work or family obligations.
Conjugal Partner
Conjugal partners can be of any gender. A sponsored person may be considered a conjugal partner if:
Exceptional circumstances beyond their control have prevented the couple from qualifying as common-law partners or spouses, such as immigration barriers or legal restrictions on divorce or same-sex relationships; and
The couple has had a mutually dependent relationship for at least 12 months with the same level of commitment as a marriage or common-law union. This requires evidence of emotional ties and intimacy, financial interdependence (such as joint ownership of assets or mutual financial support), and efforts to spend time together and reunite.
Important: Unlike spousal or common-law applications, the conjugal partner being sponsored must be living outside Canada at the time of application. This category is considered the most difficult to qualify for, and IRCC assesses it carefully — it's generally only appropriate when marriage or cohabitation has genuinely not been possible.
Important Notes for Applicants Under This Category
5-Year Bar to Sponsor: A sponsor who became a permanent resident or Canadian citizen after being sponsored themselves as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner may not sponsor a new spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner unless they have held permanent residence, citizenship, or a combination of both for at least five years immediately before filing the new sponsorship application.
Conditional Permanent Residence: This requirement was eliminated for all sponsored spouses and partners as of April 28, 2017. Read more in our Immigration News section: Elimination of Conditional Permanent Residence
Overall, this application can vary depending on the nationality of your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. The documents required and processing times may also vary depending on where your application is processed. This can be a lengthy process, so we recommend getting a proper assessment for your particular case.
Every couple's story and circumstances are different, and your application should be treated as a unique case. Contact us for further assistance — we want to help you gain a deeper understanding of this process so we can provide the best possible solution for your situation.
Work Permits, Processing Times, and Why Preparation Matters
Open Work Permits for Sponsored Spouses and Partners
If you apply under the inland stream, your spouse or partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed. This permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada, without needing a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Processing for this work permit typically takes a few months, allowing couples to work and build their life together in Canada much sooner than waiting for permanent residence to be finalized.
Outland applicants do not have this option while their application is in process, but they retain the flexibility to travel in and out of Canada (subject to visa requirements) during processing.
Processing Times
As a general guide, current IRCC processing times (outside Quebec) are approximately:
Outland sponsorship: around 15–16 months
Inland sponsorship: around 21–25 months
Open work permit (for inland applicants): approximately 4–6 months
These timelines are updated monthly by IRCC and reflect the time to process 80% of complete applications — they are not guarantees, and individual cases can take longer or, in some cases, move faster. The clock starts only once IRCC receives a complete application; incomplete submissions can be returned, which resets the timeline entirely.
Why a Well-Prepared Application Matters
Processing times can vary significantly from one couple to another, even within the same category. The biggest factor within your control is the quality and completeness of your application. A well-organized submission — with consistent, well-documented evidence of your relationship, properly completed forms, and all required supporting documents — reduces the risk of:
Requests for additional documents, which extend processing time
Additional interviews or scrutiny
Refusals based on insufficient proof of a genuine relationship
Every relationship is different, and the type and amount of evidence that will be most convincing depends on your specific story — how you met, how you've built your life together, and how you can demonstrate that to an officer who has never met you.
Why Professional Advice Makes a Difference
Choosing the right category (spouse, common-law, or conjugal), the right stream (inland or outland), and presenting the right evidence from the start can make a significant difference in how smoothly your application moves through the system. A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) can help you:
Confirm which category and stream best fits your situation
Identify and organize the strongest evidence for your specific case
Avoid common errors that lead to delays or refusals
Understand your options if your application has already been refused or is facing complications
Every story is unique, and a generic checklist won't capture what makes your relationship genuine in the eyes of an officer. Contact us for a personalized assessment — we'll help you understand your options and build the strongest possible application for your situation.
Temporary Resident Permit for Victims of Family Violence
If you are experiencing abuse from your spouse or common-law partner, you may be eligible for a special permit to stay in Canada temporarily. This is called a temporary resident permit (TRP) for victims of family violence. It grants you temporary resident status in Canada, giving you the time and protection needed to leave your situation and plan your next steps. Your children can also receive this permit if they are in Canada and do not currently hold temporary resident status.
Benefits of a Family Violence TRP
A family violence TRP can help you:
Escape abuse from your spouse or common-law partner
Gain time to decide whether to leave Canada or explore other immigration options
Stay together with your children in Canada while you decide your next steps
Legally work in Canada
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for a family violence TRP if you meet all four of the following requirements:
You are an out-of-status foreign national
You are physically present in Canada
You are experiencing abuse or neglect from your spouse or common-law partner while in Canada
Your path to permanent residence depends on remaining in a genuine relationship with your abuser
What You Should Know
You do not need to testify against your abuser to receive temporary resident status.
Your first family violence TRP will be issued for a minimum of 12 months. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for another permit once this period ends.
There are no fees for your first family violence TRP, and no fees for additional permits if you apply again. Biometrics fees are also waived.
With a family violence TRP, you may also access trauma counselling and health care coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
You may also apply for a fee-exempt work permit or study permit.
Recent Changes (Effective February 4, 2025)
The minimum validity period for a family violence TRP increased to 12 months.
Fees are now waived for the initial permit and for renewals, as well as for related work permits, study permits, and biometrics.
Resources for Victims of Abuse During Sponsorship
If you are in immediate danger, always call 911.
For general information, you can also reach:
IRCC Client Support Centre: 1-888-242-2100 (toll-free, within Canada)
211 Ontario: Call or text 211, available 24/7 in multiple languages, to connect with confidential community and social services, including support for victims of family violence
You can also call us. We offer a confidential assessment to walk you through your options in more detail, in Spanish or English. Reaching out to ask questions does not affect your current application or status in any way — nothing changes simply by getting informed.