Initial case assessment
Review your living arrangements, immigration circumstances, relationship history, and goals.
Spousal sponsorship
Make a thoughtful plan for your life together in Canada.
If you and your spouse or partner are living in Canada, learn how sponsorship requirements may apply to your situation and prepare for the decisions ahead.
- Guidance based on your current circumstances
- Support organising forms and relationship evidence
- Clear discussion of application stages and next steps
Guidance for your family’s next steps
A clearer understanding
Explore the pathway that fits your situation
Inland spousal sponsorship may be relevant when the sponsor and the spouse or partner being sponsored are living together in Canada. The route and any related options depend on individual facts and current IRCC rules.
Current immigration status, relationship evidence, sponsor eligibility, and changes during the process can all matter. Careful preparation helps keep the information in the application complete and consistent.
Eligibility and required documents depend on individual circumstances and current Canadian immigration rules.
How we can help
Support at every important stage
Practical guidance to help you understand your options and prepare information for your circumstances.
Document checklist and preparation
Identify records that may support your application and organise the required forms and information.
Relationship evidence organisation
Present relevant evidence of your relationship and life together in a clear, consistent way.
Application review and next steps
Consider the file for completeness and discuss what to expect after submission, based on current guidance.
A considered process
A practical application journey
Each case is different. These steps offer a general sense of how preparation and guidance may be organised.
Discuss your situation
Review where you live, your current status, relationship history, and plans.
Prepare your documents
Gather case-specific forms and records that explain your relationship and circumstances.
Review your application
Check the details and supporting evidence for completeness and consistency.
Understand the next steps
Discuss submission considerations and how to keep your information current if circumstances change.
Preparation
Gather case-specific supporting documents
The records needed depend on your history and circumstances. Examples may include:
- Identity, civil-status, and immigration-status documents
- Evidence of your relationship and shared life in Canada
- Communication, household, or financial records where relevant
- Forms and supporting records listed in the current IRCC instructions
These examples are general, not a complete checklist. Always follow the current IRCC instructions for your case.
IRCC: sponsor your spouse, partner or childWhy work with FCI
Thoughtful support, centred on your situation
Get clear communication and a structured understanding of the application journey, without promises about government decisions.
Clear communication
Understand the process in straightforward terms and identify the questions that need attention.
Organised preparation
Build a case-specific document plan instead of relying on a generic list.
Guidance for your situation
Consider how your current status and relationship details may affect preparation.
Practical next steps
Know what to review and what to keep in mind as your circumstances evolve.
Common questions
What to know before you begin
General information only. The right answer for your case depends on your circumstances and current IRCC requirements.
What does inland spousal sponsorship mean?
It generally refers to a sponsorship application where the sponsor and the spouse or partner being sponsored live in Canada. The exact requirements and options depend on the case and current IRCC instructions.
Does living in Canada mean I qualify to apply inland?
Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the relationship, sponsor and applicant circumstances, and current program requirements. Review your facts before choosing a route.
What if the applicant's status changes during the process?
Changes can affect the options available and should be considered promptly. Seek case-specific advice and consult current IRCC information rather than assuming an application resolves every status issue.
What documents should we prepare?
The required forms and supporting records vary. Identity and civil-status records, relationship evidence, and documents relevant to your immigration circumstances may be requested.
Where can I find the current official instructions?
Consult the IRCC spouse and partner sponsorship information linked below. Requirements can change, so use the current official guide for your application.
Plan your next steps
Talk through your inland sponsorship plans with clarity.
Discuss your circumstances and understand what to consider before preparing or submitting an application.