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Spousal Sponsorship - Document Checklist 2025–2026

Spousal sponsorship has two stages: the sponsor's eligibility review and the sponsored person's PR application. Both the sponsor (you) and the applicant (your spouse/partner) must submit documents. This checklist covers both sides.

Mandatory

If Applicable

Recommended

12 months (outland) | 12–18 months (inland)

Processing Time

$1,050 CAD

Gov. Fee (from)

Legend:MandatoryIf ApplicableRecommended

1Sponsor's Documents (Canadian citizen or PR)

Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR statusMandatory

Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card. If PR card is expired, include PRTD or other status proof.

IMM 1344 - Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and UndertakingMandatory

IMM 5481 - Sponsorship EvaluationMandatory

Sponsor's birth certificateMandatory

Financial support evidence (last Canadian tax return / NOA)Mandatory

Sponsorship income requirements must be met. Usually the sponsor must show they are not on social assistance.

Sponsor's current address proofMandatory

Utility bill, bank statement, or government letter

Divorce decree (if sponsor was previously married)If Applicable

Death certificate of previous spouseIf Applicable

Evidence of cohabitation (for common-law sponsorship)If Applicable

Joint lease, joint bank statements, joint utility bills - 12 continuous months of cohabitation required

2Sponsored Spouse/Partner's Documents

Valid passport (all pages)Mandatory

Including all previous passports if applicable

Birth certificateMandatory

Marriage certificate (legal marriage)Mandatory

Must be officially translated if not in English or French. Traditional/religious marriage requires government registration.

Proof of genuine relationshipMandatory

See relationship evidence section below - this is the most important part of the application

Police clearance certificatesMandatory

From country of citizenship + each country lived 6+ months since age 18

Medical examination (Panel Physician)Mandatory

IMM 0008 - Generic Application FormMandatory

IMM 5562 - Supplementary Information - Your TravelsMandatory

3Relationship Evidence (Critically Important)

Wedding photos (minimum 20–30 photos from ceremony)Mandatory

Show family members, ceremony, celebrations. Include captions identifying people.

Photos together over time (minimum 20–30)Mandatory

Different locations, different times - show the relationship history

Joint communication records (chat logs, emails, call history)Mandatory

Printed WhatsApp/text conversations, email threads - especially important for outland applications where you lived apart

Evidence of visits (travel stamps, boarding passes, hotel receipts)Mandatory

Show you have actually met and spent time together

Joint financial accounts or assetsRecommended

Joint insurance (car, life, health)Recommended

Letters from friends and family attesting to the relationshipRecommended

Evidence of communication with each other's familiesRecommended

4Sponsored Person's Dependents (if any)

Each dependent child's passportIf Applicable

Dependent child's birth certificateIf Applicable

Custody/access order if child is from a previous relationshipIf Applicable

💡 RCIC Pro Tips

1.Relationship evidence is the core of a spousal sponsorship. IRCC officers are specifically trained to spot marriages of convenience - your relationship history must be detailed and consistent between sponsor and sponsored person's forms.
2.For common-law sponsorship, you need proof of 12 continuous months of cohabitation - joint lease agreements, shared utility bills, and joint bank statements are the strongest evidence.
3.If you are doing an inland sponsorship, apply for an open work permit for your spouse at the same time - it allows them to work while the PR is processing.
4.IRCC will interview some applicants (especially outland cases from certain countries). Both the sponsor and applicant should be able to answer detailed questions about daily life, family history, and future plans.
5.Do not include more than 400 pages total - organize your evidence with a table of contents and tabs. Disorganized applications create processing delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

Inland sponsorship is for spouses already in Canada on a valid temporary status - they remain in Canada while the PR processes and can get an open work permit. Outland sponsorship is processed through the visa office in the sponsored person's home country - they do not need to be in Canada. Outland is generally faster (12 months) than inland (12–18 months).

Can my spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR approval?

Yes, if applying inland. You can simultaneously apply for an open work permit for your spouse, which is typically processed within 4–6 months and allows them to work for any Canadian employer.

What if my marriage was performed outside Canada and is not government-registered?

Religious or traditional marriages that are not registered with the government of the country where they occurred may not be recognized by IRCC. Common-law sponsorship (12 months cohabitation) may be a better pathway in these cases. Speak with a licensed RCIC before applying.

Learn more about Spousal Sponsorship →View IRCC Processing Times →

This checklist was prepared by licensed RCICs at VMC Immigration Services and is updated regularly. It is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements at ircc.canada.ca. Individual circumstances vary - consult a licensed RCIC for advice specific to your case.

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1Sponsor's Documents (Canadian citizen or PR)

Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR statusMandatory

Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card. If PR card is expired, include PRTD or other status proof.

IMM 1344 - Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and UndertakingMandatory

IMM 5481 - Sponsorship EvaluationMandatory

Sponsor's birth certificateMandatory

Financial support evidence (last Canadian tax return / NOA)Mandatory

Sponsorship income requirements must be met. Usually the sponsor must show they are not on social assistance.

Sponsor's current address proofMandatory

Utility bill, bank statement, or government letter

Divorce decree (if sponsor was previously married)If Applicable

Death certificate of previous spouseIf Applicable

Evidence of cohabitation (for common-law sponsorship)If Applicable

Joint lease, joint bank statements, joint utility bills - 12 continuous months of cohabitation required

2Sponsored Spouse/Partner's Documents

Valid passport (all pages)Mandatory

Including all previous passports if applicable

Birth certificateMandatory

Marriage certificate (legal marriage)Mandatory

Must be officially translated if not in English or French. Traditional/religious marriage requires government registration.

Proof of genuine relationshipMandatory

See relationship evidence section below - this is the most important part of the application

Police clearance certificatesMandatory

From country of citizenship + each country lived 6+ months since age 18

Medical examination (Panel Physician)Mandatory

IMM 0008 - Generic Application FormMandatory

IMM 5562 - Supplementary Information - Your TravelsMandatory

3Relationship Evidence (Critically Important)

Wedding photos (minimum 20–30 photos from ceremony)Mandatory

Show family members, ceremony, celebrations. Include captions identifying people.

Photos together over time (minimum 20–30)Mandatory

Different locations, different times - show the relationship history

Joint communication records (chat logs, emails, call history)Mandatory

Printed WhatsApp/text conversations, email threads - especially important for outland applications where you lived apart

Evidence of visits (travel stamps, boarding passes, hotel receipts)Mandatory

Show you have actually met and spent time together

Joint financial accounts or assetsRecommended

Joint insurance (car, life, health)Recommended

Letters from friends and family attesting to the relationshipRecommended

Evidence of communication with each other's familiesRecommended

💡 RCIC Pro Tips

1.Relationship evidence is the core of a spousal sponsorship. IRCC officers are specifically trained to spot marriages of convenience - your relationship history must be detailed and consistent between sponsor and sponsored person's forms.

2.For common-law sponsorship, you need proof of 12 continuous months of cohabitation - joint lease agreements, shared utility bills, and joint bank statements are the strongest evidence.

3.If you are doing an inland sponsorship, apply for an open work permit for your spouse at the same time - it allows them to work while the PR is processing.

4.IRCC will interview some applicants (especially outland cases from certain countries). Both the sponsor and applicant should be able to answer detailed questions about daily life, family history, and future plans.

5.Do not include more than 400 pages total - organize your evidence with a table of contents and tabs. Disorganized applications create processing delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

Can my spouse work in Canada while waiting for PR approval?

Yes, if applying inland. You can simultaneously apply for an open work permit for your spouse, which is typically processed within 4–6 months and allows them to work for any Canadian employer.