Sponsor a spouse, partner or child in Canada

REVIEWED STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Responsibilities, outputs and checkpoints

1. 01
   RESPONSIBLESponsor

   Confirm the starting conditions

   Confirm the sponsor’s status and responsibilities and the family member’s relationship, dependency and admissibility under the current definitions.

   Expected output

   A dated note of the starting conditions and dependencies.

   Checkpoint

   The current official source supports starting this procedure with the recorded facts.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
2. 02
   RESPONSIBLESponsor

   Confirm the next requirement

   Choose the correct in-Canada or Family Class route using the official instructions; consider travel and status consequences before choosing.

   Expected output

   The applicable requirement or procedural choice is recorded.

   Checkpoint

   The current official source supports the recorded requirement or procedural branch.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
3. 03
   RESPONSIBLEApplicant

   Prepare the required facts and evidence

   Open the current online application guide and personalized document checklist for the sponsor, principal applicant and dependants.

   Expected output

   The factual inputs, access and dependency records for the next action are ready.

   Checkpoint

   The next action can be completed without estimated, invented or missing material facts.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
4. 04
   RESPONSIBLEApplicant

   Complete the current preparation action

   Gather civil-status, identity, relationship, cohabitation, status, police, medical and financial records that the current package requires.

   Expected output

   The saved or assembled factual result named by the current instructions.

   Checkpoint

   The result has been reviewed against the current official page or checklist control.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
5. 05
   RESPONSIBLESponsor

   Review facts and current conditions

   Complete the sponsor and permanent-residence forms, obtain every required digital signature and disclose all family members and material history.

   Expected output

   A current, reviewed record or application state.

   Checkpoint

   Facts, dates, fees, deadlines and changing conditions in this action have been rechecked.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
6. 06
   RESPONSIBLEApplicant

   Act through the official channel

   The principal applicant submits through their own PR Portal account and pays IRCC directly; save the confirmation and a copy of the package.

   Expected output

   The official action, message, invitation, payment or confirmation is retained.

   Checkpoint

   The responsible person or authority completed this action through the named official channel.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
7. 07
   RESPONSIBLECanada

   Submit or respond to the official action

   Complete biometrics, medical, police or additional-document requests by the dates in the official messages.

   Expected output

   A dated submission, response, request or decision record.

   Checkpoint

   Every applicable request, deadline and status message has been handled in the official channel.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca
8. 08
   RESPONSIBLEQuébec

   Complete the outcome handoff

   If Québec is the destination, complete the separate Québec undertaking stage when instructed; if eligible, review the separate open-work-permit procedure.

   Expected output

   The decision record and next-stage instructions are organized.

   Checkpoint

   The responsible person has confirmed the decision conditions and the next official action.

   Official source reviewed · 2026-07-12Sponsor your spouse, partner or child · www.canada.ca