Canada Spousal Sponsorship from India 2026: Fees, Eligibility and Checklist for Punjab Families

World Immigration Terminal

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Short answer: A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a husband, wife or common-law partner living in India for Canadian permanent residence. In 2026 the main government fee is CAD 1,260 (which includes the CAD 600 right of permanent residence fee) plus CAD 85 for biometrics. The sponsor must be at least 18, live in Canada, and sign a 3-year undertaking to support their partner; in most cases no minimum income is required.

Spousal sponsorship is one of the most common Canada applications for families in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and across Punjab, often after a wedding in India. It is also one of the files where small mistakes, such as the wrong marriage document or an undeclared family member, cause long delays. This guide explains who qualifies, the two application classes, the 2026 fees, a step-by-step process and a document checklist for Punjab couples.

Who Can Sponsor a Spouse from India?

According to IRCC's sponsorship guide, the sponsor must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be a Canadian citizen, a person registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, or a Canadian permanent resident
Live in Canada. A Canadian citizen living abroad must show they plan to live in Canada when their partner becomes a permanent resident. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor from abroad
Not be receiving social assistance, except for disability reasons
Be able to provide for the basic needs of themselves and the people they sponsor

Usually there is no minimum necessary income for sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child. It applies only in limited cases, for example where the sponsored person's dependent child has a child of their own.

Who Cannot Sponsor

IRCC lists several situations that make a person ineligible, including when the sponsor:

Was sponsored as a spouse or partner and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
Signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and 3 years have not passed since that person became a permanent resident
Did not repay social assistance received by someone they sponsored before
Is in default on court-ordered support, an immigration loan or a performance bond
Has an undischarged bankruptcy, or certain criminal convictions
Is under a removal order, is in prison, or already has a sponsorship application in process for a current spouse or partner

Spouse, Common-Law or Conjugal: Which Category Fits?

Category	Who it covers	Key requirement
Spouse	Legally married couples	A legally valid marriage, recognised both where it took place and in Canada. Proxy, telephone and internet marriages are not recognised
Common-law partner	Unmarried couples living together	Lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a marriage-like relationship
Conjugal partner	Couples who could not marry or live together	In a relationship for at least 1 year, with proof of the legal or immigration barrier that stopped them marrying or living together

For most Punjab couples, the spouse category applies. IRCC asks for a legally valid marriage certificate or proof of registration; a record of solemnisation or a marriage licence on its own is not accepted. If your wedding was religious, such as an Anand Karaj or a temple ceremony, make sure the marriage is also registered and you have the registration certificate.

Family Class (Outland) vs In-Canada Class (Inland)

Point	Family Class (outland)	Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (inland)
Where the partner lives	Usually outside Canada, for example in Punjab	Living with the sponsor in Canada with valid temporary status
Open work permit while waiting	Not part of this class	Partner may qualify for an open work permit; IRCC says these are normally processed within about 4 months
Travel during processing	Partner can live and travel normally outside Canada	Leaving Canada can end the partner's temporary status, and they may not be allowed back
If refused	Sponsor is told of the right to appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board	No IRB appeal through this class; the partner must leave Canada when their temporary stay ends
Conjugal partners	Must use this class	Not available

IRCC recommends the Family Class if you think you may need to appeal. If your partner is still in Punjab, the Family Class is usually the natural choice.

Canada Spousal Sponsorship from India: Fees in 2026

Fee	Amount (CAD)	Notes
Spouse or partner sponsorship, total	1,260	Includes sponsorship fee, processing fee and right of permanent residence fee
Of which right of permanent residence fee	600	Increased from 575 for applications received on or after 30 April 2026
Total without the right of permanent residence fee	660	The RPRF can be paid later, before PR is granted
Each dependent child	180	Per child included
Biometrics	85 per person	Family maximum 170 when applying together

Medical exams and police certificates are paid separately to the panel physician and the issuing authority. Always check the IRCC fee list before paying, because fees change.

Step-by-Step Process

Check eligibility. Confirm the sponsor meets the rules above and decide on spouse, common-law or conjugal.
Choose the class. Family Class if your partner is in India; In-Canada class only if your partner already lives with you in Canada with valid status.
Create a PR Portal account. The sponsored partner (the principal applicant) submits the sponsorship and the permanent residence application together online.
Complete the forms. These include the sponsorship agreement and undertaking (IMM 1344), signed electronically by both of you, and the relationship questionnaire (IMM 5532).
Collect documents and pay fees. Upload clear scans and attach the fee receipt. IRCC returns incomplete applications.
Give biometrics when you receive the instruction letter.
Complete the medical exam when IRCC asks. All family members must be examined, even if they are not coming to Canada, and the exam is usually due within 30 days of the request.
Respond to requests for more documents or an interview quickly, and track the application online.
Receive the decision. If approved, your partner receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and, if needed, a visa to travel.

Document Checklist for Punjab Couples

Passports and identity documents for the sponsor and partner
Proof of the sponsor's status: Canadian passport or citizenship certificate, or PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
Marriage registration certificate (not only a gurdwara, temple or religious certificate)
Wedding photos, ideally with family and showing both of you over time
Proof of ongoing contact: messages, emails or call logs (IRCC limits communication evidence to 10 pages)
Travel evidence, such as tickets and passport stamps for visits to each other
For common-law partners: proof of a shared home for 12 months, such as a joint lease, joint bank account and bills at the same address
Police certificate for India and for each other country where the applicant lived 6 months or more in a row after age 18
Birth certificates for any dependent children, and custody documents where needed
Certified English or French translations of any document in Punjabi, Hindi or another language

Red Flags: Genuineness and Misrepresentation

IRCC assesses whether a relationship is genuine. The sponsor and applicant are both responsible for the accuracy of everything submitted. False documents or misrepresented facts can lead to refusal and, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a 5-year inadmissibility. You must also declare every family member, including children who are not coming to Canada; an undeclared family member generally cannot be sponsored later.

Be careful with anyone who offers a "contract marriage" or promises an approval in exchange for a fee. No consultant can guarantee an outcome. If a past Canada application was refused, our GCMS notes guide explains how to find out why before you apply again.

Spousal Sponsorship vs Spouse Open Work Permit vs Visitor Visa

These are different routes. Spousal sponsorship leads to permanent residence. A spouse open work permit is a temporary permit for partners of eligible international students and foreign workers. A Canada visitor visa is for short visits only and is assessed separately, even if a sponsorship is in process. If you are the one hoping to move to Canada as a skilled worker instead, see our Canada PR guide.

Plan Your Spousal Sponsorship with World Immigration Terminal

World Immigration Terminal in Jalandhar helps Punjab families check sponsor eligibility, choose the right class, prepare relationship evidence and assemble a complete PR Portal application. Book a consultation with our team for a document review before you submit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Canada spousal sponsorship cost in 2026?

IRCC's fee list shows CAD 1,260 for sponsoring a spouse or partner, including the CAD 600 right of permanent residence fee, plus CAD 85 biometrics per person. Medical exams and police certificates cost extra.

Is there a minimum income to sponsor a spouse to Canada?

Usually no. IRCC does not apply a minimum necessary income to spouse or partner sponsorship, except in limited cases such as when a sponsored dependent child has a child of their own. The sponsor must still not be on social assistance, except for disability.

Can a Canadian PR living in India sponsor a spouse?

No. A permanent resident must live in Canada to sponsor. A Canadian citizen living abroad can sponsor if they show they will live in Canada when the partner becomes a permanent resident.

Is a gurdwara marriage certificate enough for Canada spousal sponsorship?

IRCC asks for a legally valid marriage certificate or proof of registration, and does not accept a record of solemnisation on its own. Couples married in a religious ceremony in Punjab should register the marriage and submit the registration certificate.

How long does spousal sponsorship take from India?

Processing times change and depend on the case. Check IRCC's online processing times tool for the current estimate for spouse or partner sponsorship outside Canada.

Can my spouse get a work permit while the sponsorship is processed?

Only in the In-Canada class. A spouse or common-law partner living with you in Canada with valid status may qualify for an open work permit. Partners applying from India under the Family Class do not get one through this route.

Last verified: October 2026. Canadian immigration rules, fees and forms change regularly. This article is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm the current requirements on the official IRCC website (canada.ca) or speak to World Immigration Terminal before you apply. No consultant can guarantee an approval.