Sponsoring Your Spouse to Canada — Complete Financial Guide 2026

Fees, income requirements, undertaking obligations, and banking tips for sponsors and sponsored spouses.

Spousal sponsorship is one of Canada's most important family immigration pathways. Every year, thousands of Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residency. The process involves significant financial commitments on the part of the sponsor — and the sponsored spouse will also face financial adjustments upon arriving in Canada.

Who Can Sponsor?

To sponsor a spouse to Canada, you must:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Be at least 18 years old
Live in Canada (citizens living abroad can sponsor but must intend to return)
Not be in default on a previous undertaking or child/spousal support order
Not have declared bankruptcy that has not been discharged
Not be receiving social assistance (other than for disability)

Unlike other family sponsorship categories (like parents and grandparents), there is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse. However, you must sign an undertaking committing to financially support your spouse.

Application Fees for Spousal Sponsorship 2026

Fee Item	Amount (CAD)
Sponsorship application fee	$75
Principal applicant (sponsored spouse) processing fee	$1,040
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$515
Biometrics (sponsored spouse)	$85
Medical examination (per person)	$200–$350
Police certificates	$25–$100 per country
Estimated total (couple, no children)	~$2,100–$2,500

Important: If dependent children are included in the application, add $225 per child for processing fees and $85 per child for biometrics, plus additional medical exam costs.

The Undertaking: Your Financial Obligation

When you sponsor your spouse, you sign a legally binding undertaking to financially support them for a period of time. For spouses sponsored from outside Canada, the undertaking lasts 3 years from the date they become a permanent resident. This means:

You are legally responsible for ensuring your spouse does not need to resort to social assistance (welfare) during this period
If your spouse does receive social assistance, the government may attempt to recover those costs from you
The undertaking is not voided by separation or divorce during the 3-year period

Financial planning tip: Budget realistically for supporting two people on your income during the first year of your spouse's arrival — before they find employment, get a work permit open to any employer, and establish their own income.

Income Considerations Even Without a Minimum Requirement

While there is technically no minimum income threshold for spousal sponsorship (unlike parents/grandparents sponsorship), IRCC does assess your financial situation. Having a stable, sufficient income helps demonstrate you can meet your undertaking obligations. Consider:

Your current household budget including all existing obligations (rent, car payments, child support)
How much your expenses will increase when your spouse arrives
Whether your spouse will be able to work immediately upon landing (they receive an open work permit with their PR)

Banking for the Sponsored Spouse

When your spouse arrives in Canada as a new permanent resident, one of their first priorities should be opening a Canadian bank account. As a new PR, they have no Canadian credit history — which affects everything from renting an apartment to qualifying for a phone plan without a deposit.

KOHO is an excellent first account because there is no credit check, no minimum balance, and no monthly fees. It can be opened entirely online, even before your spouse physically arrives in Canada.

Building Your Spouse's Credit From Day One

Since your spouse arrives in Canada with zero credit history, the clock starts on day one. Strategies to accelerate their credit building:

Add them as an authorized user on your credit card (they get some history from your account)
Help them open a secured credit card with a $500–$1,000 deposit
Ensure they have a cell phone plan in their own name (phone payments don't directly build credit, but it establishes their presence with creditors)
Look into newcomer credit card offers from TD, RBC, or Scotiabank

Tax Implications of Spousal Sponsorship

Once your spouse arrives in Canada as a permanent resident, they become a Canadian tax resident. Key financial and tax implications:

They must file a T1 tax return for the year they arrive (from their landing date)
You may be able to claim the spouse or common-law partner tax credit if their net income is low
If they have foreign income or foreign property, disclosure obligations apply
TFSA and RRSP contribution room begins accumulating from the year they become a resident

What Happens If the Relationship Breaks Down?

If your spouse becomes a permanent resident and you later separate or divorce, the undertaking obligations do not automatically end. You remain legally responsible for the 3-year undertaking period regardless of the relationship status. This is an important consideration for financial planning — ensure you are prepared for the full financial scope of sponsorship before applying.

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Disclaimer: This page provides general financial information only. It is not immigration legal advice — consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for immigration guidance specific to your situation.