Bring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to Canada as a permanent
resident. AI fills IMM 5540 from your documents. You review everything before
submission, with free DIY tools and platform features so family pathways stay accessible under AI for All.
Spousal sponsorship is a Canadian immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents
to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence.
It falls under the Family Class immigration stream and is one of the most common pathways to Canadian PR.
There are two streams depending on where your partner lives: the Inland
stream (partner is already in Canada and can apply for an open work permit while waiting) and the
Outland stream (partner applies from outside Canada). Both streams use the same core forms
- IMM 5540 (Sponsorship Application) and IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form).
As the sponsor, you must meet income and residency requirements and sign an undertaking to financially
support your partner for three years. Your partner's application is processed simultaneously with yours.
Quick Facts - Spousal Sponsorship
Sponsor formIMM 5540 E
Applicant formIMM 0008 E
Immigration classFamily Class
OutcomePermanent Residence
Inland processing12–24 months
Outland processing12–18 months
IRCC sponsorship fee$85 CAD
IRCC PR fee$515 CAD
Right of PR fee$575 CAD
Platform featuresFree DIY tools
Two streams
Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship
The right stream depends on where your partner currently lives. Both lead to
permanent residence - the key difference is timeline, work authorization, and processing location.
Outland Stream
Partner outside
Canada
Your partner applies from their home country or country of residence. The application is
processed at the visa office responsible for their country. They can visit Canada on a visitor visa during
processing.
Processed by the applicable overseas visa office
Can apply regardless of current immigration status
Partner may still visit Canada while waiting
Generally slightly faster than inland in recent years
Sponsor can be inside or outside Canada
Inland Stream
Partner in Canada
Your partner is physically present in Canada and can apply for an open work permit (OWP)
at the same time as the sponsorship, allowing them to legally work while waiting for PR approval.
Partner can obtain an open work permit concurrently
Who qualifies as a spouse,
common-law partner, or conjugal partner?
Spouse: legally married.
Common-law partner: cohabiting in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive
months. Conjugal partner: in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months but unable to
cohabit due to exceptional circumstances (immigration barriers, religious/legal restrictions). Same-sex
relationships are equally eligible under all three categories.
Am I eligible?
Eligibility - Sponsor & Applicant
Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet IRCC requirements. Select the
tab that applies to you.
Sponsor Requirements
Partner Requirements
Common Issues
You can sponsor if…
You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (or a registered Indian under the Indian Act)
You are at least 18 years old
If a PR, you are currently living in Canada (or will return to Canada when your partner gets PR)
You can demonstrate you are not receiving social assistance (except for disability)
You agree to sign a 3-year financial undertaking to support your partner
You have not sponsored another spouse in the past 5 years who was granted PR
You cannot
sponsor if…
You are currently in default on a previous sponsorship undertaking (partner dependent on social
assistance)
You have been convicted of a violent offence, sexual offence, or offence against a family member
You are bankrupt (unless discharged)
You are detained or under a removal order
You have previously sponsored another spouse and that sponsorship was within the last 5 years
Your partner
qualifies if…
They are your legal spouse (married), common-law partner (12+ months cohabitation), or conjugal
partner
They are admissible to Canada (no serious criminality or security concerns)
They pass the required medical examination by an IRCC-designated physician
They can provide police certificates from their home country and each country they've lived in for 6+
months
They are 18 years of age or older
What your partner needs
Valid passport from their home country (all pages)
Passport-style photos meeting IRCC specifications
Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, joint bank accounts, photos, communication records)
Police certificates from country of citizenship + countries of residence (6+ months in last 10 years)
Medical examination results from IRCC-designated doctor
Common
reasons for refusal
Non-genuine relationship: IRCC officers assess whether the relationship is primarily
for immigration purposes. Thin evidence of cohabitation or shared life is the #1 refusal reason
Incomplete application: Missing police certificates, outdated medicals, or unsigned
declarations result in immediate return of the application
Prior inadmissibility: Criminal history, previous deportations, or misrepresentation
on any prior immigration application
Same-sex short-duration marriage: Marriages of very short duration receive
heightened scrutiny regardless of gender
How GetNorthPath
reduces refusal risk
Relationship evidence checklist - we guide you to gather the right combination of photos,
communication logs, joint accounts, and statutory declarations
AI Preliminary Check reviews your My Details answers for consistency with your relationship evidence
before GetNorthPath ever sees the file
You check the complete package - every document, every form field, and your relationship
narrative - before submission
Document Validator confirms all police certificates are current, medicals are in-date, and photos
meet IRCC specs
What to gather
Required Documents
GetNorthPath AI reads and validates each document the moment you upload it. Fields
marked AI are auto-filled into your sponsorship forms
automatically.
If applicable Previous Canadian visas, permits, or entry stamps
If applicable Current immigration status documentation in any country
Background & Medical
Required Police certificate from home country (partner)
If 6+ months abroad Police certificate from each country of residence
(last 10 years)
Required Medical exam by IRCC-designated physician (partner)
Note Medical is valid for 12 months - time your booking carefully
Sponsor Financial
Required Proof of Canadian employment or income AI
Required Recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA AI
Note No minimum income threshold for spousal sponsorship (unlike other
family classes)
If applicable Signed undertaking confirming you will financially support
your partner for 3 years
Inland Stream - Extra
If inland Proof partner is currently in Canada legally
(visitor record, work/study permit)
If inland Application for open work permit (concurrent filing)
AI
If inland Proof of current address in Canada (shared lease, utilities)
Note Open work permit fee: $255 CAD additional IRCC fee
AI reads all tagged
documents automatically
Documents tagged AI are read by the GetNorthPath Document Validator within 10 seconds of
upload. Sponsor identity, passport data, marriage certificates, financial records, and employment details
are extracted and pre-filled directly into your IMM 5540 and supporting forms. you verify
every field before submission.
From free tools to IRCC submission, with relationship evidence checks and form fill along the way.
1
free tools
30-min call with GetNorthPath. We confirm sponsor eligibility, choose your stream
(inland vs. outland), and assess your relationship evidence strength.
Feature-assisted
2
Upload Documents
Both sponsor and partner upload their documents. AI validates passport data, checks
police cert dates, confirms medical is in-date, and flags any gaps.
AI-powered
3
AI Fills IMM 5540
The AI Form Fill Agent reads your documents and auto-populates IMM 5540, IMM 0008, and
supporting forms. You complete the relationship narrative and declarations.
AI-powered
4
free tools
you review every document, every form field, and your full relationship
evidence package. Signs off on completeness and submission readiness.
Feature-assisted
5
IRCC Submission
One-click submission via Chrome Extension. IRCC acknowledgement received. Application
enters the queue - we track status in real-time in your portal.
Feature-assisted
Traditional firm
The firm holds the file and sends updates when it replies
2–4 week wait for initial consultation
Manual form filling - relationship evidence
checklist missed
Little visibility into your application status
Generic relationship evidence guidance
GetNorthPath
Free DIY tools and platform features
free tools within 24 hours
AI fills IMM 5540 + supporting forms from
your documents
Relationship evidence checklist tailored to
your situation
You review everything before
submission
Powered by AI
What AI fills for you
The GetNorthPath AI reads your uploaded documents and auto-populates your IMM 5540
and IMM 0008. Here's exactly what gets extracted - and what you fill in yourself.
IMM 5540 - Auto-fill Preview
Field
Value
Source
Sponsor family name
SAMPLE
AI
Sponsor given name(s)
SAMPLE
AI
Date of birth (sponsor)
1990-03-22
AI
PR/Citizenship status
Canadian PR
AI
Partner family name
SAMPLE
AI
Partner given name(s)
the applicant
AI
Partner date of birth
1992-07-15
AI
Country of citizenship
INDIA
AI
Passport number
T●●●●●●4
AI
Date of marriage
2023-11-08
AI
Sponsor income (NOA)
$78,200 CAD
AI
Relationship narrative
You fill this in
You
Travel history (partner)
You fill this in
You
+ 28 more fields
auto-filled · Guides verifies all
Relationship Evidence Checker
AI audits your relationship evidence package against IRCC's published assessment
criteria - photos spanning the right time periods, communication records, financial ties, declarations.
Flags gaps before you review.
Document Validator - 10 seconds
Every uploaded document is validated instantly. Passport expiry, police cert
freshness, medical exam validity window, photo spec compliance. Issues flagged with plain-language fix
instructions.
Form Fill Agent - IMM 5540 + IMM 0008
Reads your passport, marriage certificate, PR card, and NOA. Cross-references all
values for consistency. Pre-fills 30+ fields across both the sponsor and applicant forms. Your
GetNorthPath check every field.
Chrome Extension - One-Click IRCC Submit
Once you approve, the GetNorthPath Chrome Extension loads all approved
data directly into the IRCC portal. No copy-pasting. No re-entry. One click submits your complete
sponsorship package.
What to expect
Processing Timeline
1
free tools + Assessment
Eligibility confirmed, stream selected (inland vs. outland), relationship evidence
reviewed, GetNorthPath service purchased.
Day 0
2
Documents Uploaded + AI Validated
Both sponsor and partner upload documents. AI validates each file and flags any
issues. Relationship evidence checklist completed.
Day 1–5
3
Forms Filled + Relationship Narrative
AI pre-fills IMM 5540 + IMM 0008. You complete the relationship narrative, travel
histories, and declarations via the portal.
Day 5–10
4
free tools + Approval
you review every document, form field, and evidence package. May request
additional relationship proof. Signs off on submission.
Day 10–14
IRCC Submission + Acknowledgement
Complete package submitted. IRCC sends acknowledgement of receipt. Your portal tracks
IRCC status in real time from this point forward.
Times vary by IRCC volume and
country. GetNorthPath helps you see on current estimates at the time of your application. Check
ircc.canada.ca for live processing times.
Inland: your partner can
work while waiting
If you choose the Inland stream, your
partner can apply for an open work permit (OWP) concurrently with the sponsorship application. The OWP
typically processes in 4–6 months - meaning your partner can work legally in Canada while the full PR is
pending.
What's included
Features and free tools for the sponsorship file.
Relationship evidence, IMM 5540 form fill, and a walkthrough, from the first tool through the file you submit.
Family Sponsorship - Spouse / Common-Law Partner
Inland or outland · IMM 5540 + IMM 0008 · All nationalities
Free tools
Document checks, form fill, and a walkthrough
What's included
Free 30-minute eligibility consultation with a guides
AI Document Validator - 10-second checks on every upload (both sponsor & partner)
Relationship evidence checklist tailored to your stream and situation
AI auto-fill of IMM 5540 + IMM 0008 from your documents
My Details intake - guided sections for relationship narrative, travel history, and declarations
AI Relationship Evidence Checker before your final check
Full checklist pass on every document and form field
One-click IRCC submission via Chrome Extension
Real-time application status portal + email/in-app messaging
Additional costs (not included)
IRCC sponsorship fee$85 CAD
IRCC principal applicant PR fee$515 CAD
Right of Permanent Residence fee$575 CAD
Biometrics (most applicants)$85 CAD
Open work permit (inland only)$255 CAD
Medical examination
(partner)Varies by country
GetNorthPath helps you confirm exactly which IRCC
fees apply to your situation with the free tools.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between inland and outland sponsorship?
+
Inland sponsorship is for partners who are already physically present in Canada and want to
remain here throughout processing. A key benefit is eligibility for a concurrent open work permit. Outland
sponsorship is for partners living outside Canada - the application is processed at the visa office for their
country of residence. Outland processing has been slightly faster in recent years for most nationalities. Your
free tools help you compare streams.
How do I prove my relationship is genuine?
+
IRCC assesses relationship genuineness through a combination of evidence: photos spanning the
full relationship, communication records (chat logs, call history), financial ties (joint accounts, money
transfers, shared expenses), marriage or cohabitation documentation, travel records of visits, and statutory
declarations from people who know you as a couple. Our AI Relationship Evidence Checker and free tools will
guide you on what combination is right for your specific situation - long-distance couples, intercultural
marriages, and short-duration marriages all need tailored evidence strategies.
Can my partner work in Canada while the sponsorship is processing?
+
If you choose the Inland stream, your partner can apply for an open work permit (OWP)
concurrently with the sponsorship. The OWP typically processes in 4–6 months, meaning your partner can work
legally while the full PR application is pending. For the Outland stream, your partner may visit Canada on a
visitor visa during processing but cannot work without a separate work permit.
Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?
+
Unlike family class sponsorship for parents or children, there is no minimum income threshold
to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence. You must demonstrate that you are
not receiving social assistance (except for disability reasons) and sign an undertaking to financially support
your partner for three years after they receive PR. GetNorthPath will review your financial situation at
the free tools.
Can I sponsor my spouse if I am a permanent resident living abroad?
+
If you are a permanent resident (not a citizen), IRCC requires that you are currently living
in Canada to sponsor your spouse. However, there is an exception: if you and your spouse both intend to return
to Canada once the sponsorship is approved, you may be eligible. Citizens living abroad face no such
restriction. GetNorthPath helps you assess your specific situation with the free tools.
How do the tools compare with preparing the file alone?
+
Firms often spend their time on manual tasks: filling forms by hand, reviewing documents one by one, and copying data between systems. GetNorthPath tools handle the mechanical work: document reading, form filling, and evidence gap checks. You review the file before you submit.
Free DIY tools · AI for All
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