Inland Spousal Sponsorship Canada: Sponsor Your Partner in Canada
Inland sponsorship is the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. It is for a spouse or common-law partner who lives with you in Canada. Your partner can apply for an open work permit once IRCC sends the acknowledgement of receipt, but a refusal has no appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division.
since 1991
What is inland spousal sponsorship?
Inland spousal sponsorship is the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. You sponsor a spouse or common-law partner who lives with you in Canada, and your partner applies for permanent residence from inside Canada. Both applications go in together through IRCC’s PR Portal, and your partner stays in Canada while IRCC decides.
What if your partner has no status?
IRCC has a public policy that lets a partner without valid temporary status apply, if you live together and every other rule is met. Criminal, security and health grounds still apply. A partner without status must wait for IRCC’s approval in principle letter before applying for an open work permit.
Why couples choose inland
- Live together: your partner stays with you in Canada throughout
- Open work permit: your partner can apply once the AOR arrives
- Status options: a partner without status can apply under a public policy
- Family included: add dependent children to the same application
Is inland sponsorship right for you?
An honest answer before you pay any fees.
A good fit if
- Your spouse or common-law partner lives with you in Canada
- Your partner has valid status, or needs the public policy
- You can stay together in Canada while IRCC decides
- You accept that a refusal has no appeal to the IAD
Consider outland if
- You have a complex or sensitive case and want appeal rights
- Your partner may need to travel
- You are conjugal partners living abroad
- Your partner lives outside Canada
Not sure? Compare the routes in our inland vs outland guide, read the spousal sponsorship guide or see the outland page.
Inland spousal sponsorship requirements
Both of you are assessed: you as a sponsor, and your partner for the relationship and admissibility. Source: IRCC.
Sponsor status
You must be at least 18, be a Canadian citizen, PR or person registered under the Indian Act, and live in Canada. A PR living outside Canada cannot sponsor.
Living together
You are married, or common-law after 12 continuous months living together. Your partner must live with you in Canada.
Undertaking
You sign an undertaking to support your partner for 3 years after they become a PR. Most cases have no income test.
Sponsorship bars
You cannot sponsor if you receive social assistance other than for disability, are in jail, have an undischarged bankruptcy, or became a PR through a spouse sponsorship less than 5 years ago.
Admissibility
Your partner gives biometrics, a medical exam and police certificates when IRCC asks. Criminal, security and health grounds still apply.
Not sure you qualify?
Status gaps, the 5-year bar and past undertakings catch people out. We check both of you before you pay fees.
Who you can sponsor
Spouse
You are legally married. The marriage must be valid where it took place and under Canadian law, and your spouse lives with you in Canada.
You have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Any gender qualifies. A statutory declaration, a joint lease and shared bills help prove it.
Conjugal partners live outside Canada, so they cannot use the inland route. They apply through the outland route instead.
Proof of a genuine relationship
Officers want proof that your relationship is real and lasting. Thin evidence puts a file at risk. A mix of the items below works best.
How inland spousal sponsorship works, step by step
Six stages from checking eligibility to permanent residence.
Check eligibility and status
We check both of you, your partner’s status, the 5-year bar and past undertakings.
Gather proof of your life together
Marriage or common-law proof, shared home, photos over time, joint finances, police certificates and passports.
Submit through the PR Portal
Your partner submits both applications together online, with the fees paid. IRCC rejects an incomplete file.
Receipt, biometrics and work permit
IRCC sends the acknowledgement of receipt. Your partner gives biometrics within 30 days and can apply for an open work permit.
Review and background checks
IRCC checks your eligibility, your partner’s admissibility and the relationship. It may ask for more documents or an interview.
Your partner becomes a PR
If approved, your partner becomes a permanent resident. If refused, there is no appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division, only judicial review in Federal Court.
Costs and timelines
Government fees for a spouse with no dependent children, from the IRCC fee list updated 21 September 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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Inland spousal sponsorship FAQs
What is inland spousal sponsorship?
It is the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. You sponsor a spouse or common-law partner who lives with you in Canada, and your partner applies for permanent residence from inside Canada. Both applications go in together online.
Who can use the inland route?
You can use it if your spouse or common-law partner lives with you in Canada and you meet the sponsor rules. Your partner needs valid temporary status, or must qualify under IRCC’s public policy for partners without status. See our spousal sponsorship guide.
Can a conjugal partner use the inland route?
No. Conjugal partners live outside Canada, so they apply through the outland route. Read about the outland route. See our common-law and conjugal partner guide.
Does my partner need valid status to apply inland?
Not always. IRCC has a public policy that lets a partner without valid temporary status apply if you live together and all other rules are met. Criminal, security and health grounds still apply, so talk to a licensed professional first.
Can my partner work while we wait?
Yes. Your partner can apply for an open work permit once IRCC sends the acknowledgement of receipt, if they live with you in Canada and have valid status or can restore it. A partner without status waits for the approval in principle letter. See our spousal open work permit guide.
Can my partner travel while we wait?
Your partner must live with you in Canada while IRCC decides. Leaving Canada can put the application at risk, so plan any trip with a licensed professional first. Outland keeps full freedom to travel.
How long does inland sponsorship take?
IRCC publishes the time for inside Canada and updates it every month. See our family processing times page for the current figure.
What if my inland application is refused?
There is no appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division for an inland refusal. You can ask the Federal Court for judicial review within 15 days of the decision, or you may be able to reapply or use the outland route. Talk to a licensed professional right away. Read our spousal sponsorship refusal and appeal guide. If no other route fits you, read our H&C application guide.
Is inland or outland better?
It depends on your case. Inland suits couples who live together in Canada and can stay there. Outland gives appeal rights and travel freedom. See our inland vs outland guide.
How much does inland sponsorship cost?
IRCC fees are $1,260 for sponsorship, processing and the right of permanent residence fee, plus $85 for biometrics. Each dependent child is $180. An open work permit is $155 plus a $100 holder fee. See our cost breakdown. Read our guide to sponsoring a child or relative.
Is there an income requirement?
In most cases, no. You sign an undertaking to support your partner for 3 years after they become a permanent resident. IRCC only asks for income proof in narrow cases involving a child who has children of their own.
What proof of relationship do I need?
IRCC wants consistent proof over time, such as photos, messages, shared finances and a shared home. Common-law partners also show 12 months living together. See our proof of relationship guide.