Canada Marriage Visa for Immigrants – Migrate to Canada (Step-by-Step)

You’re not just trying to file paperwork.

You’re trying to stay together.

Maybe you’re already married. Maybe your partner lives thousands of miles away.

Or maybe you’re in Canada now, wondering how to bring the one you love here permanently.

Whatever the case, one thing’s clear:

This is about more than immigration. This is about your life. Your relationship. Your future.

Now let’s clear something up:

Canada doesn’t offer a “marriage visa.”

But it does allow you to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to immigrate to Canada legally.

And yes — it leads to permanent residence.

Not a visitor visa. Not a work permit. Not a maybe.

This guide walks you through exactly how to do it, step by step:

• Who qualifies as a spouse or partner
• How to prove your relationship is real
• Which forms to file
• How much it costs
• How long it takes
• What to do if you’re already in Canada

And what mistakes could get your application rejected

If you’re married (or planning to be) and want to live together in Canada — this is your real, no-BS roadmap.

What Is a Canada “Marriage Visa”? (And What It’s Really Called)

There’s no such thing as a “marriage visa” in Canada.

What people mean is:

Spousal Sponsorship under the Family Class

This is part of Canada’s commitment to family reunification. It allows:

• Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• To sponsor their spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner
• For permanent residence in Canada

“Visa” is a temporary word. This is about PR — the long-term status.

Term	What It Means
Spouse Sponsorship	Application to bring your partner to Canada permanently
Marriage Visa	Informal term — not used by IRCC
PR (Permanent Residence)	Legal status your partner will get if approved
Inland vs Outland	Whether the partner is inside or outside Canada when applying

Who Can Apply for a Canada Spousal Sponsorship?

Before you dive into forms, fees, and photos — you need to know one thing:

Both you (the sponsor) and your partner (the applicant) must qualify.

If either one of you doesn’t meet the requirements? IRCC will shut it down — no second chances.

Sponsor Requirements

You can sponsor your spouse or partner if:

• You’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• You’re 18 years or older
• You’re living in Canada, or if you’re a citizen abroad, you plan to return when your partner gets PR
• You’re not receiving social assistance (disability excluded)
• You’re not bankrupt, in jail, or under a removal order
• You’re not in default of a previous sponsorship agreement or court-ordered support

You don’t need a certain income level to sponsor a spouse — unlike parent/grandparent sponsorship.

Partner Requirements

Your partner must be either:

• A spouse (legally married to you)
• A common-law partner (lived with you for 12+ consecutive months)
• A conjugal partner (real relationship, but couldn’t live together due to serious barriers)

They also must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be criminally inadmissible
• Not be married to someone else

Pro tip: The IRCC takes marriage fraud seriously, especially if the relationship appears rushed, long-distance, or “transactional.”

Inland vs Outland Sponsorship – Which One Should You Choose?

The Canada spousal sponsorship application has two tracks:

• Inland: Your partner is already in Canada
• Outland: Your partner is outside of Canada

The process is similar, but the experience is different.

Here’s what you need to know 

Inland Sponsorship

Your partner is living in Canada — usually on a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit.

Pros:

• Can apply for an open work permit while waiting
• You get to live together in Canada during the process
• One application for sponsorship + work permit

Cons:

• Travel is risky — if your partner leaves and can’t return, the inland application might be canceled
• No right of appeal if refused

Outland Sponsorship

Your partner is living abroad — or they’re in Canada but want the option to travel freely during processing.

Pros:

• Can travel in and out of Canada during the process
• Usually faster processing (sometimes)
• Right to appeal if refused

Cons:

• No work permit during processing
• Long-distance relationships can be harder to prove without recent time together

So, which should you choose?

If your partner is in Canada AND you want them to work → Choose inland

If your partner is abroad or needs to travel, → Choose outland

Bonus: You can technically apply outland even if your partner is in Canada, as long as you know their location.

How to Apply for Spousal Sponsorship (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the reality:

It’s not “just one form.”

It’s a joint package:

• One part is for you (the sponsor)
• The other is for your partner (the applicant)
• And all of it has to be flawless.

Let’s break it down

Step 1: Confirm You’re Both Eligible

If you skipped this step — go back to Section 2.

Don’t waste time applying if either of you doesn’t qualify.

Step 2: Choose Inland or Outland Stream

This affects:

• Which forms do you fill
• Whether your partner can get a work permit
• Whether they can travel
• Appeal rights

You must choose when starting your application.

Step 3: Gather Documents

Core documents include:

• Marriage certificate OR proof of common-law relationship
• Identity documents (passports, national ID, birth certs)
• Relationship evidence (see next section)
• IMM forms (filled and validated)
• Police certificates (for applicant)
• Photos (IRCC standards)
• Sponsorship agreement
• Optional: Open Work Permit forms (for inland only)

All non-English/French documents must be translated with an affidavit.

Step 4: Fill Out the Forms

You’ll complete several forms, including:

• IMM 1344 – Sponsorship application
• IMM 5532 – Relationship questionnaire
• IMM 0008 – Generic application for permanent residence
• IMM 5406 – Additional family information
• IMM 5669 – Schedule A (background/declaration)

Tip: Use Adobe Reader to validate forms digitally (PDF). Some won’t upload unless validated.

Step 5: Pay the Fees

Pay online at IRCC’s fee portal.

Fee Type	Amount (CAD)
Sponsorship fee	$75
Principal applicant processing	$490
Right of permanent residence (RPRF)	$515
Biometrics	$85
Open Work Permit (optional – inland only)	$255

Pay the RPRF upfront to avoid delays later.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

• Apply online via IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal
• Upload everything in the required formats
• Use clear filenames (e.g., “Passport_Applicant.pdf,” not “IMG23984.png”)
• Double-check EVERYTHING

Once submitted, you’ll get:

• Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
• Biometrics instructions
• Medical exam request (later)

Step 7: Wait for Processing + Updates

Processing time:

Inland + Outland = ~12–16 months

OWP (inland only): ~4–5 months

You can check progress via your IRCC account.

IRCC may request more info, proof of relationship, or even an interview — stay alert and respond fast.

Let’s get into the 🔍 most important — and most misunderstood — part of the entire process:

Proving your relationship is real.

This section shows you how to over-deliver on proof — so your love doesn’t look like a loophole.

How to Prove Your Relationship Is Real to IRCC

Submitting a marriage certificate is not enough.

Anyone can get married — even strangers.

IRCC wants evidence of an actual, ongoing, committed relationship — not just paperwork.

Here’s what you need

Core Proof (Mandatory or Highly Recommended)

1. Marriage certificate (if married)
2. Cohabitation proof (for common-law couples)
3. Photos together
   • At different times
   • In different places
   • With friends/family
4. Communication records
   • Screenshots of texts, WhatsApp, call logs
   • Emails or video call records
5. Travel history
   • Boarding passes, visas, hotel stays from joint trips
6. Affidavits from friends/family
   • Letters stating they know and support the relationship
7. Shared financial responsibilities
   • Joint bank accounts, leases, bills

How IRCC Checks for Red Flags

They’ll be looking for signs that:

• The relationship is too new
• You don’t speak the same language
• You haven’t spent time together in person
• One partner has a history of sponsorship
• The marriage happened shortly after a visa refusal

None of these automatically mean rejection — but they will trigger scrutiny.

Pro Tips to Build Trust With IRCC

• Create a relationship timeline

“We met in June 2020, moved in by March 2021, married in November 2022…”

Add photos and proof for each milestone.

• Submit only high-quality evidence

No blurry photos, memes, or weird inside jokes — IRCC isn’t your BFF.

• Keep your story consistent across all forms

Dates, addresses, job info — it all needs to line up.

• Don’t overdo it

10–20 meaningful photos are better than dumping 100 screenshots with no context.

Let’s keep it moving — because the next thing every couple wants to know is:

• How much will this cost?
• How long will it take?
• What happens after we hit submit?

This following section breaks down the full timeline and budget — so there are no surprises and no stress.

How Much Does Spousal Sponsorship Cost—And How Long Does It Take?

Canada’s spousal sponsorship program isn’t cheap but a one-time investment in reuniting for good.

Here’s the full breakdown

Sponsorship Fees (2024)

Fee Type	Cost (CAD)
Sponsorship fee	$75
Principal applicant processing	$490
Right of PR fee (RPRF)	$515
Biometrics	$85
Open work permit (inland only)	$255
Total (with OWP)	$1,420
Total (without OWP)	$1,165

The “Right of Permanent Residence Fee” is optional upfront, but paying it later will delay final approval.

Processing Time (Estimated)

Application Type	Time
Inland (spouse in Canada)	12–16 months
Outland (spouse abroad)	10–14 months
Open Work Permit (inland only)	4–5 months

What Happens After You Apply?

1. Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) – ~1 month
2. Biometrics request – ~2–4 weeks
3. Medical exam request – ~2–3 months in
4. Eligibility review – IRCC checks sponsor + relationship
5. Final decision – IRCC approves or refuses
6. Confirmation of PR (COPR) issued
7. Landing – online or at a port of entry (if outside Canada)

What Can Delay Your Application?

• Missing documents
• Unclear or weak relationship proof
• Background check issues
• Slow response to IRCC requests
• Name/date mismatches across forms

Pro Tip: Respond to IRCC within 7 days of any request to avoid delays.

Let’s wrap this guide like a pro — with a rapid-fire FAQ section designed to crush confusion, kill assumptions, and answer the questions everyone’s too nervous to ask about spousal sponsorship and the so-called “marriage visa.”

FAQs – Canada Marriage Visa & Spousal Sponsorship

Is there really no “marriage visa” in Canada?

Correct — there’s no such thing.

Canada doesn’t issue visas just because you’re married.

You’re applying for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship — not a temporary visa.

Can I sponsor my spouse if I’m on a work or study permit?

No.

Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse.

If you’re not PR, your partner can apply for a visitor visa, study permit, or immigration stream.

Can my spouse work while the PR is processing?

Yes — but only if:

• You apply inland
• You include an Open Work Permit application with the PR file

They’ll usually get the work permit in 4–5 months.

We just got married. Will IRCC think it’s fake?

Maybe — if there’s no relationship history, travel, communication, or cohabitation.

Solution: Over-deliver on proof

Photos, call logs, texts, family letters — everything helps.

How long before my spouse can move to Canada?

Outland: 10–14 months

Inland: 12–16 months

Inland applicants already in Canada can stay while it processes

Can I travel while my sponsorship is processing?

• Inland applicants: riskier. Leaving Canada could cancel your app
• Outland applicants: yes, but check visa requirements for re-entry

Will I be interviewed?

Maybe.

IRCC may request an interview if they suspect fraud or need clarification.

If your application is strong and consistent, it’s unlikely.

What if my application is refused?

You can appeal — but only for outland applications.

Inland sponsorships don’t have appeal rights, so get it right the first time.

FINAL WORD: Marriage ≠ Shortcut — But It Can Be Your Path

You now know:

There’s no “marriage visa” — just spousal sponsorship

• Canada allows you to bring your partner — if your relationship is real
• It’s not easy, fast, or automatic — but it’s possible
• If you prepare well, submit clean documents, and stay truthful — you’ll get there

Love is not a loophole. But in Canada, it is a legal immigration path — if you follow the rules.