Canada is expediting the processing of spousal sponsorship applications until the end of this year.

In September, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced it would expedite up to 6,000 applications per month between October and December 2020.

This year, Canada sought to welcome about 70,000 immigrants annually under its spousal, partner, and children category.

A few weeks ago, Canada updated the targets under its new 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. Canada will now seek to lift the target for this category to around 80,000 per year, and most will arrive under spousal sponsorship.

Complete our FREE spousal sponsorship form to see if you are eligible to sponsor your partner

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor the following categories of partners for permanent resident status: spouse; common-law partner; or conjugal partner.

Sponsors must be at least 18 years old, not receive social assistance unless it is for a disability, and show they can provide financially for their partner's basic needs. Canadian citizens abroad need to also prove they plan to return to Canada and live with the person they want to sponsor. 

IRCC asks that you submit two applications at the same time: sponsorship application and permanent residence application.

Step 1: Get an application package from IRCC.

Step 2: Pay your application fees on IRCC's website.

Step 3: Send your application to IRCC via mail.

Complete our FREE spousal sponsorship form to see if you are eligible to sponsor your partner