👨‍👩‍👧 Guide 5289 – Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child

📍 Who Can Be Sponsored?

You can use this package if you are:

• a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a Registered Indian, aged 18 or older, and
• want to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child.

It does **not** apply to adopted children or other relatives who are not spouses/partners/dependents — there are **separate forms** for those.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Definitions of Relationships

• Spouse: A legally valid married partner, whether the marriage took place in Canada or abroad and is recognized by law.
• Common-law partner: A person of any gender with whom you have lived in a genuine conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
• Conjugal partner: A partner you couldn’t live with due to circumstances beyond your control (immigration barriers, cultural reasons etc.), with at least one year of commitment.
• Dependent child: Typically under 22, without a spouse or common-law partner, or older with permanent disability and financially dependent.

📋 Eligibility Requirements

You must meet eligibility rules to act as a sponsor:

• Be 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Registered Indian.
• Live in Canada or plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident.
• Not be in default on an immigration loan, repayment of social assistance, or family support obligations.
• Not fall under sponsorship bars, including a five-year restriction if you were sponsored yourself.
• You may be disqualified if you were ordered to pay alimony/child support and haven’t fulfilled it.

🧱 Sponsorship Bars & Restrictions

If you became a permanent resident or Canadian citizen after being sponsored as a spouse/partner, you generally cannot sponsor another spouse/partner until five years have passed.

Certain criminal convictions for violent or related offences can also prevent sponsorship.

🛠️ Application Process

Since September 23, 2022, most sponsorship applications must be submitted online through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal. If you cannot apply online, you may request alternate formats, such as paper, braille or large print.

1. Create or sign in to your Permanent Residence online application portal account.
2. Complete sponsorship forms such as IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking) and IMM 5532 (Relationship information).
3. Complete the principal applicant’s permanent residence forms like the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008), Background/Declaration (IMM 5669), and Additional Family Information (IMM 5406).
4. Attach all required supporting documents (IDs, relationship proof, financial documents etc.).
5. Upload and sign digitally before submitting through the portal.

💸 Fees & Biometrics

You must pay application fees online. Typical fees include:

• Sponsorship fee
• Principal applicant processing fee
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), refundable if not issued
• Biometrics fees (per person or family maximum)

Fees vary depending on whether you are sponsoring a partner or a dependent child.

🧪 Medical, Criminal & Security Checks

All sponsored individuals and dependents must pass medical exams and admissibility screenings. Pending convictions or admissibility issues must be resolved (e.g., rehabilitation) before processing.

📂 Supporting Evidence & Checklist

Include:

• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, joint documents, shared lease etc.).
• Birth certificates of children / legal custody documents.
• Passport copies and travel documents.
• Translations if documents aren’t in English/French + certified copies.

📌 Helpful Tips

• Fill and validate PDF forms on a computer — tablets and phones may cause issues.
• Check country-specific requirements for civil documents.
• Double-check that all family members are declared and included — omissions can delay or void the application.
• Keep copies of everything you upload for your records.