Family Sponsorship Processing Time

Current IRCC processing times for spousal, parent, and dependent child sponsorship applications.

Overview

Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close family members for permanent residence. Processing times vary by relationship type and the sponsored person's country of residence.

Spousal/Partner Sponsorship

Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. Includes inland and outland applications.

Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship

Limited spots available each year through the PGP lottery. Processing takes 20-24 months on average.

Dependent Child Sponsorship

Sponsor dependent children under 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship.

Processing Times by Country

Loading processing times...

Processing times are estimates from IRCC and may change. They represent the time from application submission to final decision for most cases.

Tips to Avoid Processing Delays

For spousal sponsorship, include extensive relationship evidence (photos, messages, travel history)

Inland spousal applicants can apply for an Open Work Permit while waiting

Parent/grandparent sponsors must meet minimum necessary income (MNI) for 3 years

Consider a Super Visa for parents while waiting for sponsorship processing

Use the IRCC document checklist to ensure a complete application

Check Your Application Status

You can check the status of your application using the IRCC online tools:

Check Status on IRCC

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?

IRCC's current service standard for spousal sponsorship is 12 months. Actual processing times can range from 10 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the case and the visa office processing the application.

Can my spouse work while the sponsorship is processing?

If your spouse is inside Canada (inland application), they can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) while waiting for the sponsorship decision. If they are outside Canada, they cannot work until they receive PR status.

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?

Inland means your spouse is already in Canada with valid status. They can apply for an OWP and stay in Canada during processing. Outland means your spouse is outside Canada. Outland applications may be processed faster at some visa offices.

Other Processing Times

Work Permit Study Permit Visitor Visa Permanent Residence Provincial Nominee Super Visa Citizenship Express Entry