What milestones are included in the timeline?

The spousal sponsorship timeline is made up of several milestones, starting from the moment a couple decides how they will apply. First, the sponsor and applicant choose whether to apply through the inland or outland stream, depending on whether the spouse is living inside or outside Canada and what makes sense for their situation. They gather all forms and supporting documents and then submit the sponsorship application package to IRCC. Applicants can review this overall path on the Spousal Sponsorship Program Page, which outlines the main stages from submission to approval.

Once the application is received, the first major milestone is IRCC’s acknowledgement and completeness check. If the file passes this step, IRCC issues an official confirmation that the application has been accepted for processing. After that, IRCC typically sends instructions for biometrics and, where required, the medical exam. These milestones must be completed before IRCC can fully move into eligibility and background assessment. Applicants who want to understand why these stages influence the overall timeline can refer to the FAQ “What affects the official spouse sponsorship Canada processing time for new applicants?”, which explains how each step affects processing speed.

The next set of milestones involves assessing the sponsor’s eligibility and verifying the relationship. This may include reviewing marriage or partnership documents, proof of shared life, and other supporting evidence. Once eligibility is satisfied, IRCC continues with background and security checks, which can be one of the longest parts of the process, especially if the applicant has lived in multiple countries or has a complex history. For inland applicants, there may also be a milestone where an Open Work Permit for Spouses is approved, allowing the sponsored spouse to work in Canada while the permanent residence application is still in progress. Although helpful for day-to-day life, this does not change the pace of the final decision.

The final milestones occur when IRCC completes all admissibility checks and is ready to issue a decision. If approved, the applicant receives instructions for confirming their permanent resident status, which may include a virtual landing process or an in-person landing, followed by the issuance of their permanent residence documents. Taken together, these milestones form the practical timeline that couples experience from the moment they apply until permanent residence is granted.

If you would like guidance at each stage of this timeline or help organizing your application to avoid delays, our Canadian immigration advisers can assist you throughout the process. You can review the Immigration Consultant Cost page for more information, or speak directly with an expert through our Book Consultation page.