Eligibility quiz
Are you legally married to the person who would sponsor you?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Canada
Permanent residents can live in Canada indefinitely and move to any province.
They can also earn a living in any province.
Study in Canada
Permanent residents can study anywhere in Canada, subject to school and provincial rules.
Work in Canada
Permanent residents can work for any employer and get a Social Insurance Number for work.
Job and licensing rules apply, and some jobs needing high-level security clearance are not open to permanent residents.
Travel and return
Permanent residents can travel outside Canada and return.
To return by a commercial carrier, they normally need a valid permanent resident card and a passport or refugee travel document.
Without a valid card, they generally need a permanent resident travel document.
Use public services
Permanent residents have protection under Canadian law and can use courts and public services on the same general basis as other residents.
Use public healthcare
Permanent residents can apply for public health insurance.
Coverage and eligibility vary by province or territory, and some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months.
Receive social benefits
Permanent residents can receive most social benefits available to Canadian citizens.
Payments are not automatic; eligibility depends on the program and factors such as where the person lives, income and age.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Download the application forms
Choose Family Class or Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class in the application package tool, and select the country where you live now. Download the forms and checklist, including the sponsorship form IMM 1344 and permanent residence form IMM 0008.
Get the application packageFill in the forms
Your sponsor completes the sponsorship and undertaking forms, and you complete the permanent residence and required family-member forms. Answer fully and truthfully and sign where required.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the forms for Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create or sign in to your Permanent Residence Portal account, enter your application, and upload the forms, checklist and scanned documents. Include a detailed explanation for any required item you cannot obtain.
Open the application portalPay the fees online
Pay the processing fees and any required biometrics fee through the immigration fee-payment service. You can pay the right of permanent residence fee later, but it is normally best to pay it now.
Pay the feesSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I pay Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship fees online?”
Submit your application
Upload your fee receipt, complete the electronic declaration and signature, and submit the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together in the portal. A paper application is available only if immigration officials grant an accommodation, such as for a disability.
Submit the applicationComplete the Quebec undertaking
If your sponsor lives in Quebec, your sponsor must complete Quebec’s undertaking after federal approval. Follow the instructions provided for the undertaking.
Find undertaking instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a sponsor in Quebec complete the undertaking for Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship?”
Give your biometrics
If immigration officials ask for your biometrics, follow their instructions and give them at an authorized collection location. Bring your instruction letter and passport.
Find a collection locationAttend your medical exam
When immigration officials instruct you to have a medical exam, use an approved panel physician. Follow the instructions about timing and what to bring.
Find an approved physicianSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I find an approved panel physician for a Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship medical exam?”
Wait for the decision
Use your application number to track your application, and answer requests from immigration officials for information or documents by the stated deadline. They will assess the sponsorship and permanent residence applications and tell you their decision.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship application?”
Confirm your permanent residence
If approved while you are outside Canada, follow the visa and confirmation instructions and travel to Canada before your documents expire. If you are in Canada, follow the instructions to confirm permanent residence online or attend an interview if asked.
Find confirmation instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I confirm permanent residence after Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship is approved?”
Provide your card details
After you become a permanent resident, provide a Canadian address and photo for your permanent resident card. You can then receive the card as proof of your status.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I provide my address and photo for a permanent resident card after Canadian spouse or partner sponsorship?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Include your birth certificate and the civil documents the checklist asks for for your family members, whether they are coming with you or not. Get them from the office that issued them, following the instructions for the country where they were issued. If a child was adopted, include the adoption documents.
Sponsor's residence record
Include proof that your spouse or partner lives in Canada. Follow your checklist for the evidence to provide.
Sponsor's status records
Include proof that your spouse or partner is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or registered under the Indian Act. Follow your checklist for the records accepted as proof.
Marriage certificates *
Include your marriage certificate. If either of you had a previous relationship that ended in divorce or death, include the divorce or death certificate as well.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationPrevious relationship records *
Include the divorce or death certificate showing that the previous relationship ended. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if you are applying as a partner and either of you had a previous relationship that ended in divorce or death.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Time spent in Canada
To keep permanent residence, holders must spend at least 730 days in Canada during the preceding five years.
The days do not have to be continuous, and some time abroad can count in limited circumstances.
Voting and office limits
Permanent residents cannot vote or run for political office.
Permanent residence can end
Permanent residence can end by official decision, giving it up voluntarily, a removal order taking effect, or becoming a Canadian citizen.
Falling short of the required time in Canada does not end it automatically; an official decision is needed.
An expired permanent resident card alone does not end the status.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Canada Spousal PR Sponsorship
English Facebook group for people living in Canada interested in Canadian visas
Join on FacebookPGWP & SOWP Canada - Apply, Track Processing, & More
English Facebook group for people living in Canada interested in Canadian visas
Join on FacebookSpousal Sponsorship INLAND 🇨🇦 Help & Support
English Facebook group for people living in Canada interested in Canadian visas
Request to joinConsultation
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