Spouse, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship (Family Class)
A citizen or PR sponsors their spouse or partner for PR - with no income requirement.
Official Canada pageWho this route is for
Canadian citizens, registered Indians or permanent residents (18+) bringing a married spouse, a common-law partner (12+ months cohabiting), or a conjugal partner.
Eligibility requirements
- Sponsor must be a citizen, registered Indian or PR, 18 or older; PRs must sponsor from within Canada (citizens may sponsor from abroad if they will return)
- NO minimum income / LICO requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child
- Prove a genuine relationship: legal marriage, common-law (12+ continuous months of cohabitation), or conjugal partner (12+ months in a marriage-like relationship where you could not cohabit)
- Sponsor signs a 3-year undertaking to support the sponsored person; sponsored person passes medical, security and criminality checks
- Sponsor must not be in default of a previous undertaking or certain debts, and must not have been convicted of certain offences
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Fees increased on 30 Apr 2026 (processing $545 to $570, RPRF $575 to $600). Before that date the package was about $1,205 + biometrics.
Other Canada routes
Dependent Child Sponsorship (Family Class)
PermanentBring your dependent children to Canada for PR - no income requirement.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
PermanentSponsor your parents or grandparents for PR - invitation-only, with no new intake for 2026.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
PermanentClassic points route to PR for skilled professionals with foreign work experience.
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
PermanentThe fastest in-Canada route - turns skilled Canadian experience into PR.