How Long Does It Take to Bring My Spouse to Canada?
Initial Application Process
You’ve got your forms, your supporting documents, and all that excitement of reuniting with your spouse in Canada. This is where the clock starts ticking. On average, the sponsorship application can take anywhere between 12 to 24 months to complete. Yes, you read that right—12 to 24 months. Why such a wide range? That’s because each application is unique. Here’s what typically happens:
- Application submission: You complete your spousal sponsorship application. At this stage, it's crucial that all documents are in order. Any mistakes here, even small ones, can set you back by weeks or months.
- Processing times at IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada): Once submitted, your application enters the official queue at IRCC. Current processing times can fluctuate depending on demand, government resources, and global events.
| Step | Estimated Time (Months) |
|---|---|
| Application Submission | 1-3 |
| Initial Review | 2-4 |
| Background Check | 4-6 |
| Medical Exam Review | 1-2 |
| Final Approval | 3-9 |
This table gives a breakdown of how the time might be distributed across various stages. While the final approval can feel like an eternity, a lot can happen in between that will affect your timeline.
What Can Cause Delays?
It’s natural to want everything to go smoothly, but life is rarely that predictable. Several factors can delay your application, including:
Incomplete application: Miss a document or forget a signature? Your entire application could be returned to you, meaning you have to start the process over. This is a major source of delays, so check and double-check everything before submitting.
Complex relationship: If IRCC has any doubts about the legitimacy of your relationship, they may ask for more information or schedule an interview, which can push the processing time significantly.
Country of residence: Processing times can also depend on where your spouse is applying from. Some countries have higher volumes of applicants, or their government systems might be slower, meaning more waiting on your end.
Security or medical issues: Background checks and medical exams are mandatory, and if there’s anything unusual, this could extend the processing time. For example, if your spouse has lived in multiple countries, it might take longer for authorities to complete the background checks.
COVID-19 and global events: In recent years, global events like the COVID-19 pandemic have had a dramatic impact on processing times, adding months of delay to what would otherwise be straightforward cases.
How Can You Speed Up the Process?
While it’s impossible to control every aspect of the process, there are a few ways you can give yourself the best shot at speeding things up:
Double-check everything: It can’t be overstated—accuracy and thoroughness are your best friends in this process. Make sure every form is filled out correctly and all supporting documents are included. Missing something simple could set you back by months.
Submit online: IRCC allows you to submit your application online, and this can shave a few weeks off the initial processing time compared to mailing in a physical application. Plus, it’s easier to track your submission and receive updates.
Respond quickly: If IRCC requests additional information or documents, respond as quickly as possible. Every day counts when you’re trying to bring your spouse to Canada.
Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship
There are two main types of spousal sponsorship—inland and outland. Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks, and the type you choose will affect how long the process takes.
Inland Sponsorship: Your spouse is already in Canada on a temporary visa (e.g., visitor, student, or work permit). In this case, they can stay in the country while the application is being processed. Inland applications typically take longer—around 18 to 24 months—but your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit while waiting.
Outland Sponsorship: Your spouse is living outside of Canada when you submit the application. Outland applications can be processed faster—12 to 18 months on average—but your spouse will need to wait outside Canada until the application is approved. However, they can visit Canada temporarily, provided they get a visa.
Each option has its own pros and cons, so you’ll need to weigh what’s most important to you: the speed of the process or your spouse's ability to be in Canada during the wait.
| Sponsorship Type | Time to Process (Months) | Can Spouse Stay in Canada? | Eligible for Work Permit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Sponsorship | 18-24 | Yes | Yes |
| Outland Sponsorship | 12-18 | No (unless on visa) | No |
Real-Life Scenarios: What Happens If There Are Issues?
Let’s say your spouse has a complex immigration history. Maybe they’ve overstayed a visa in another country or been denied entry to Canada in the past. These factors can complicate and extend the processing time. In such cases, you might be looking at up to 36 months before approval.
One real case involved a Canadian citizen who applied for outland sponsorship for his spouse living in India. Due to complications with background checks and additional documentation requests, their application ended up taking 32 months from submission to approval.
Another couple, with a relatively straightforward inland sponsorship, completed the entire process in 15 months, with the spouse receiving an open work permit after six months of waiting. But not everyone is this lucky. Your situation could fall anywhere along this spectrum.
What Happens After Approval?
Finally, after months or even years of waiting, your application is approved. But what comes next?
Landing: If your spouse is outside Canada, they’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and will need to travel to Canada to "land" as a permanent resident. If they’re already in Canada under inland sponsorship, this can be done without leaving the country.
Permanent Resident Card: Once landed, your spouse will receive a permanent resident card within a few months. This allows them to travel outside of Canada and return without issue.
Conclusion
Bringing your spouse to Canada is a lengthy process, with plenty of variables that can either speed things up or slow them down. While the average processing time ranges from 12 to 24 months, be prepared for potential delays, and stay on top of your application to avoid unnecessary holdups.
It’s a waiting game—but one that’s well worth it in the end when you’re finally reunited with your spouse in Canada. Just remember, patience and preparation are your allies in navigating the complex immigration system.
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