Based on the application you choose to sponsor your loved one, you could benefit from increased freedom of movement, the right to appeal a decision, and work permit options for you and the person you sponsor.
While the ability to sponsor is granted to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, the process of sponsorship can be complicated.
After determining that you and your loved one are eligible to be a sponsor, and to be sponsored, respectively, you’ll want to complete the following steps to proceed with your application:
- Determine whether or not to use a representative; engage a representative if desired.
- Determine which class of sponsorship to apply under.
- Gather the required documents.
- Submit an online application.
Sponsor your loved one for Canadian immigration
If you want to know more about determining your eligibility to sponsor or be sponsored, read our previous article in this series.
Determine whether to use a representative
You can handle your application yourself, or you can use a representative. A representative can be
- Paid; or
- Unpaid.
Paid representatives must be authorized. It is illegal for any unauthorized person to act as a representative in exchange for any form of compensation.
If you choose to use a representative, you must declare your use of a representative, regardless of whether your representative is paid or unpaid.
A professional representative will typically guide you through the entire application process, start to finish, for a flat fee.
Read our page for information to help decide if using a representative is right for you.
Consult with an authorized immigration representative experienced in family sponsorships
Determine which class of sponsorship to apply to
You will need to submit your application under one of two classes:
- The Family class; or
- The Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class.
Depending on your relationship and your living situation, you may be able to choose which class, or you may be eligible only for the Family class:
| Type of relationship | Appropriate application class |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Family class; OR Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class. |
| Common-law partner | Family class OR; Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class. |
| Conjugal partner | Family class. |
There are important differences between the two classes:
| Type of Sponsorship | Prominent features |
|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class ("Inland sponsorship") | - Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must reside in Canada at the time of your application. - Both the sponsor and the sponsored person are expected to remain in Canada while their application is being processed. - Sponsored person may be eligible for an open work permit (OWP) if within Canada. - If the application is refused, the option to appeal the decision is not available to applicants. |
| Family class ("Outland sponsorship") | - The sponsor and sponsored person live abroad at the time of the application. - Both parties must show their willingness to return to Canada once their application is processed. - The sponsored person may enter and leave Canada freely while their application is being processed (provided that they can obtain temporary status). - Sponsored person may be eligible for an OWP if within Canada. - If the application is denied, it can be appealed. |
Family class applications for a spouse or partner are generally referred to as “Outland sponsorships”.
In contrast, applications submitted under the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class are generally referred to as “Inland sponsorships” *.
*Family class, or so-called “Outland sponsorship” applications can still be made by couples that reside in Canada, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Sponsor your loved one for Canadian immigration
If you are eligible for either class, you should choose to apply under the class you deem most suitable for your situation:
| Application class | Appropriate uses |
|---|---|
| Family class | Use this application if - The person you want to sponsor lives outside Canada; - The person you want to sponsor currently lives with you in Canada, but is not planning to stay in the country for the duration of the application process; and/or - You plan to appeal the decision if the application is refused. |
| Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class | Use this application if your spouse or common-law partner - Lives with you in Canada; and - Holds a valid temporary resident status (worker, student, or visitor) in Canada, or is exempt from needing one under a public policy. |
On the checklist that you submit with your application, you must specify the application class under which you are applying.
Gather required documents
Certain documents will be required for every application.
But additional documents may also be required, based on where the person being sponsored is currently residing and has lived in the past.
To determine which documents you need, you can use Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) “Get ready to apply” tool for family sponsorships. To download the application package (including the document checklist), complete the following steps:
- Under “Who are you sponsoring” enter the status of the person you wish to sponsor. Refer to the table of definitions if you are unsure.
- Below this, enter the country that the sponsored person is currently residing in.
- Under the country option, add any other countries that the sponsored person has lived in.
- Click the “Get checklist and forms” button and scroll down to see your application package (note that the document checklist should be downloaded and submitted with your application), and other important application information.
- Review the checklist and gather all the required documents.
Sponsor your loved one for Canadian immigration
Submit online application
Once you have gathered all the documents, complete the following steps:
- Visit IRCC’s “Get ready to apply” tool and answer the questions relevant to your own situation. Download your application package and complete/attach all the necessary documents.
- The sponsor must complete the PDF forms in the package (including digitally signing) where directed to;
- The person being sponsored must also complete and sign their online application where directed to.
- Complete and upload these documents to apply to be sponsored on IRCC’s “Permanent residence online application portal account”. The account should be in the name of the person being sponsored.
- All sponsorship applications will require the following forms, to be filled out online:
- Generic application form for Canada (IMM 0008);
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669);
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406); and
- Supplementary Information (IMM 5562).
- You may optionally include a letter of explanation. While this is not required, including this letter in your application provides an opportunity to explain your situation, draw attention to anything you wish to, and pre-emptively clarify potential confusion that may occur during processing.
- All sponsorship applications will require the following forms, to be filled out online:
- Pay the necessary fees to process your application.
- The current fees for sponsoring a spouse or partner are listed below. To begin processing your application, IRCC must receive at least the processing fee. Be sure to provide the biometrics fee as well if you need to submit biometrics.
- After paying your fees, ensure that you save or print the receipt. This document will function as proof of payment and must be submitted online with your application.
- Subsequent fees (like the right of permanent residence fee) may be charged afterward, once an application has been approved or reached a certain stage of processing. However, IRCC recommends paying these fees upfront to avoid delays.
- Applicants are advised by IRCC to include all relevant fees with their application (including application and processing fees, biometric fees, and the Right of Permanent Residence fee) to avoid delays.
- Send any additional documents as requested in a timely fashion
- After processing of your application begins, IRCC will request the person being sponsored to submit their:
- Medical exams;
- Police certificates (if not submitted already); and
- Biometrics
- The department will send instructions informing you what documents are needed, and in what time frame they must be submitted.
- After processing of your application begins, IRCC will request the person being sponsored to submit their:
Medical exams must be conducted by a panel physician.
You must make an appointment at a Service Canada, or (if applying from abroad) a relevant Visa Application Center for the sponsored person to submit biometrics.
Avoiding issues with your application
Important information to keep in mind as you prepare your application:
- You must provide truthful information on the application forms. It is a serious offense to provide incomplete or inaccurate information on your immigration application. Doing so can constitute a form of fraud known as misrepresentation.
- Use the “validate” button at the end of the forms that have them to ensure you have filled out all necessary fields.
- All family members must be declared in your application for permanent residence (PR). Family members must also be examined as part of the process of applying for PR, even if they are not accompanying you to Canada.
- Family members not declared in your application for permanent residence, and not examined by IRCC cannot be sponsored by you later.
- Depending on your situation, your family members may need to submit police certificates and/or undergo a medical exam by an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Failure to comply with the above conditions can lead to revocation of permanent resident status.
- Double-check all information and document checklists for completeness, to avoid delays in your application. Incomplete applications will be returned and will not have a place in the processing queue.
Sponsor your loved one for Canadian immigration