Ethiopia to Canada Spousal Sponsorship

Last updated: January, 2026

Sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from Ethiopia follows the standard IRCC spousal sponsorship requirements.

While the document checklist may vary depending on your relationship type, there are no IRCC-mandated Ethiopia-specific forms or additional requirements beyond standard documentation. Any extra document requests are assessed case by case by IRCC officers.

From 2016 to 2025, we supported 131 clients from Ethiopia through the Canadian immigration process. If you’d like a full overview of spouse sponsorship Canada, you can just book a consultation with our Canadian immigration advisers. Also, you can check our Spousal Sponsorship Consultant Fees.

Country-Specific Documents

IRCC mandates specific items for residents of Ethiopia. These are strictly enforced.

Travel History (IMM 5562): Required for the principal applicant and all family members aged 18+.
Military Service (IMM 5546): Required if the applicant has ever served in the military, defence units, police, or held a senior government role.
- Crucial: You must submit a full copy of the military card or booklet. Scan every page, including the blank ones. IRCC reviews these closely.
Identity Photos (The “5-Photo” Rule): Unlike standard applications, residents of Ethiopia must submit three additional photos per person, for a total of five photos for the applicant and each dependent.

The Hidden Hurdle

Ethiopian civil documents are often a source of confusion. IRCC generally does not accept older handwritten church or hospital birth records for sponsorship.

Requirement: You should provide a formal Birth Certificate issued by the Vital Events Registration Agency (VERA) or the Addis Ababa City Administration.

Police Certificates (PCC)

All applicants aged 18+ must provide a valid Police Certificate.

Issuing Authority: In Ethiopia, this must be obtained from the Federal Police Commission Forensic Investigation Department in Addis Ababa.
Process: This generally requires the applicant to be physically present to provide fingerprints (unless applying from abroad via a representative).