Canada
Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) processing time
IRCC service standard is 12 months for both inland and outland spousal sponsorship applications, though real-world processing commonly runs 10–13 months.
Typical window
10 months – 1.1 years
Government fees
CAD 1,205 (principal) including RPRF.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada) sits in the family category. Typical duration: Permanent residence.. Indicative government fees: CAD 1,205 (principal) including RPRF..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Spouses and common-law partners of Canadians.
Primary 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?
IRCC service standard is 12 months for both inland and outland spousal sponsorship applications, though real-world processing commonly runs 10–13 months. These figures come from IRCC — Sponsor your spouse and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.