Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is a Canadian citizen?
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
From outside CanadaFrom outside Canada
Get the application forms
Choose your relationship and where you live to get the family class forms and checklist, including checklist IMM 5533.
Get the formsFill in the application
Create a Permanent Residence Portal account and complete the online forms, declaring all your family members. Your sponsor completes the sponsorship forms, and you and your sponsor digitally sign them.
Fill in the formsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Canada spouse or partner sponsorship application in the Permanent Residence Portal?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your sponsorship application.
See required documentsPay the fees online
Pay the applicable processing, permanent residence and biometrics fees through Canada's immigration fee-payment service. Save the receipt to upload with your application.
Pay the feesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay Canada spouse or partner sponsorship application fees online?”
Submit your application
Upload your completed checklist, document copies and fee receipt, then electronically sign and submit the combined application in the portal. You can request an alternative format if a disability or another accommodation prevents you from applying online.
Submit the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Canada spouse or partner sponsorship application in the Permanent Residence Portal?”
Give your biometrics
If immigration officials ask for your fingerprints and photo, pay the biometrics fee if you have not already paid it and book an appointment. Bring your instruction letter and passport to the collection site.
Book your biometricsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a biometrics appointment for Canada spouse or partner sponsorship?”
Take your medical exam
If immigration officials instruct you to have an exam, or your checklist requires one, arrange it with an approved panel physician.
Find a panel physicianSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I find an approved panel physician for a Canada spouse or partner sponsorship medical exam?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application and respond to requests for records, an interview or other information by the deadline given. Once you have an application number, you can use it and your client number to set up the status tracker.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Canada spouse or partner sponsorship application status?”
Travel to Canada
If approved, follow the immigration office's visa and permanent residence confirmation instructions. Travel to Canada before your confirmation document expires.
Plan your arrivalSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I do after approval of my Canada family class spouse or partner sponsorship application?”
Once in CanadaOnce in Canada
Get your PR card
Give immigration officials your Canadian mailing address within 180 days and receive your first permanent resident card through the process they start. You can then use the card as proof of your permanent resident status when returning to Canada.
Get your PR cardSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I give my address and get my first Canada permanent resident card after spouse or partner sponsorship?”
Apply for your SIN
Use your signed confirmation of permanent residence to apply for a Social Insurance Number. You can then use it to work in Canada.
Apply for a SINSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Canada Social Insurance Number with confirmation of permanent residence?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide a copy of your birth certificate and a birth certificate for each dependent child. If a child was adopted, add the adoption records; if a name has legally changed, add the name-change document.
Relationship evidence
Provide evidence that your relationship with your spouse or partner is genuine, such as joint financial or address documents, photos, messages, statements from other people, or insurance or employment records. If you are common-law partners, include evidence that you lived together for at least 12 months; if you are conjugal partners, include evidence of the serious barriers that prevented you from living together or marrying.
Spouse or partner's citizenship
Provide proof that your spouse or partner is a Canadian citizen, such as a copy of their Canadian citizenship certificate or passport.
Spouse or partner's residence
Provide evidence of where your spouse or partner lives. If they live outside Canada, include evidence of their plan to live in Canada when you become a permanent resident.
Custody and consent *
Provide the applicable custody and travel-consent documents for your dependent child. Check the document checklist for what to include.
* Only if a dependent child needs custody or travel consent documents.
May need translationMarriage certificates *
Provide a copy of your marriage certificate. If either of you was married before, also provide the divorce, separation or death certificate showing how the earlier relationship ended.
* Only if you are married or either of you was married before.
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
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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