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Family reunification is the second-most prominent class of immigration for newcomers to Canada after economic immigration.

In 2024, IRCC . They include , , as well as .

Sponsoring a spouse allows foreign nationals to join their (or permanent resident) spouse, common-law or conjugal partners in Canada, eventually becoming permanent residents themselves.

There are two pathways for spousal sponsorship: (applying from within Canada) and (applying from outside Canada).

In both instances, the sponsor must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must:

• be at least 18 years of age;
• be a Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen;
• not be in prison, bankrupt, under a removal order or charged with a serious offence; and
• they can’t have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse within the last 5 years.

Sponsors must also be prepared to sign a financial undertaking. This means they are legally bound to support their foreign national spouse or common-law partner and supply their basic needs for up to three years, even if the relationship dissolves.

(IRCC) defines basic needs as:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
• dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.

Finally, eligibility for the pathways is also determined by the relationship.

Spouse: Legally married

Common-law partner: A relationship where the partners have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship;

Conjugal partner: A committed relationship lasting more than 12 months but there have been obstacles preventing cohabitation such as immigration barriers or cultural/ religious beliefs.

IRCC has a service standard (the time the department deems reasonable to process an application) of 12 months for spousal sponsorship applications, both Inland and Outland.

Inland sponsorship

Those who choose the Inland sponsorship pathway for their spouses and partners must ensure that the foreign national has valid temporary resident status in Canada as a visitor or with a work or study permit.

If already living in Canada, the sponsored partner may be eligible to apply for a (SOWP) at the same time they submit their application for permanent residence.

Spouses and common-law partners must live together when the application is submitted. Those in conjugal relationships are not eligible to apply for Inland sponsorship.

Also, IRCC recommends that those applying for permanent residence under Inland sponsorship do not leave Canada. If they do leave, they may not be able to reenter, especially if they need a .

Outland sponsorship

Outland sponsorship is an option for couples who are not able to live together in Canada. Spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners are eligible to apply if they meet all other spousal sponsorship conditions.

Most often, the sponsor lives in Canada. The foreign national may travel back and forth to Canada while they wait for a decision on their application. Outland sponsorship may also be the preferred pathway for sponsored partners living in Canada who know that they will need to leave Canada and return while their application is being processed.