Canada · Processing time
Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
IRCC’s 12-month service standard no longer reflects posted times: in early 2026 outland spousal sponsorship was quoted at about 15 months (≈450 days) and inland at about 21 months (≈630 days).
How long does the Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) take to process in Canada?
The typical published decision window is 15 months – 1.7 years from a complete application. IRCC’s 12-month service standard no longer reflects posted times: in early 2026 outland spousal sponsorship was quoted at about 15 months (≈450 days) and inland at about 21 months (≈630 days).
Verified against IRCC — Sponsor your spouse on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
15 months – 1.7 years
from complete application
Government fees
CAD 1,205 (principal) including RPRF.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada)?
Permanent residence sponsorship of spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. Two streams: inland (applicant already in Canada) and outland (consular processing).
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Canada.
- Typical permit length: Permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: CAD 1,205 (principal) including RPRF.
How to read this estimate
The 15 months – 1.7 years window is the time IRCC — Sponsor your spouse typically associates with the Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The IRCC — Sponsor your spouse page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
IRCC — Sponsor your spouse
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-spouse-partner-children.html
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) take to process?+
The typical wait is 15 months – 1.7 years from submitting a complete application. IRCC’s 12-month service standard no longer reflects posted times: in early 2026 outland spousal sponsorship was quoted at about 15 months (≈450 days) and inland at about 21 months (≈630 days). These figures come from IRCC — Sponsor your spouse and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 15 months – 1.7 years clock start?+
The clock starts when IRCC — Sponsor your spouse receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Canada routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (15 months – 1.7 years) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.