Can I sponsor my wife to come to Canada?

Yes, you can sponsor your wife to come to Canada if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and meet the eligibility requirements set by IRCC. Spousal sponsorship is part of the Family Class program and helps reunite couples by allowing the sponsored spouse to become a permanent resident. If you want professional guidance through the application, working with trusted Canadian immigration consultants can make the process easier and more accurate.

To qualify as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old, live in Canada (or plan to return if you’re a Canadian citizen abroad), and be financially able to support your spouse’s basic needs. While IRCC does not require a minimum income for spousal sponsorship, you cannot be on social assistance for reasons other than disability, and you must commit to a three-year undertaking. For more details on eligibility and essential criteria, see our related FAQ: “What are the requirements for a spousal visa in Canada?”

Your wife will also need to meet admissibility requirements, including medical exams, background checks, and security screening. IRCC will expect clear proof that your relationship is genuine, such as marriage documents, photos, shared financial records, communication history, and travel evidence.

You may apply through Inland sponsorship if your wife is already in Canada, or Outland sponsorship if she lives abroad. One key advantage of the Inland process is that your spouse may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit while the sponsorship application is being processed, allowing her to work in Canada legally during the wait. Processing times for spousal sponsorship applications vary and are regularly updated by IRCC; while previous guidance aimed for decisions around ~12 months, actual timelines can be significantly longer depending on factors like application volume and whether the case is inland or outland — applicants should check the current official IRCC processing times. For a full overview of requirements and program details, you can visit our Spousal Sponsorship page.

If you’re ready to begin or want personalized guidance, you can easily book an appointment with our team. To help you plan ahead, we also provide a detailed breakdown of our Immigration Consultant Prices.