Burkina Faso to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Last updated: January, 2026
Are you planning to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from Burkina Faso to Canada? Burkina Faso applications are not complex, but they are detail-sensitive, and delays usually happen when mandatory add-ons or civil status rules are missed.
Based on IRCC’s Burkina Faso instructions and our experience with Burkina Faso–based files, here is exactly what you need to prepare.
With Burkina Faso applications, success comes from treating the additional forms and birth-certificate rules as non-negotiable, not from navigating complex procedures.
Between 2016 and 2025, our Toronto immigration consultants assisted 51 clients from Burkina Faso, so we know exactly where Burkina Faso–based sponsorship applications tend to slow down—and how to avoid it. If you’d like a full overview, you can visit our Spousal Sponsorship page, review our spousal sponsorship fees, and book a consultation for more personalized guidance based on your situation.
Country-Specific Documents
Additional forms for residents
Burkina Faso requires two country-specific add-ons:
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)
The principal applicant and all family members aged 18 or older included in the application must complete this form. - Details of Military Service (IMM 5546)
This form is required for anyone included in the application who has ever:- held a high-ranking or senior government position, or
- served in the military, army, defence, police, or national service.
- If applicable, submit copies of all pages of the military card or booklet, including blank pages.
Document Instructions
Burkina Faso has strict rules for late-issued birth certificates, especially for children:
If a birth certificate was not issued at the time of birth, you must submit:
- the supplementary judgment,
- another official document naming the parents,
- school records listing the parents (or a written explanation if unavailable), and
- the household registry.
Missing any of these items is a common cause of delays and follow-up requests.
The Hidden Hurdle
Where Applications Commonly Slow Down
Most delays occur when:
- IMM 5562 is missing for one or more adults,
- military service history is incomplete or undocumented, or
- late-registered birth certificates lack the required supporting records.
IRCC reviews Burkina Faso civil status documents carefully, so completeness matters.
Translation Requirements
Most Burkina Faso documents are issued in French. If a document is not in English or French, submit:
- the original document (or clear copy), and
- a certified translation that meets IRCC requirements.
Names, dates, and parental details must match exactly across forms, certificates, and translations.
