You just found out you’re a Canadian citizen by descent. But can you sponsor your spouse?

If you've recently learned that you're a Canadian citizen by descent, that means you could be entitled to everything that comes with that status: the right to live, work, and travel freely in Canada, and to pass citizenship on to your own children.

But if you're married, one question comes up almost immediately: does any of this extend to your spouse?

The answer is that it does. Just not automatically.

Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship

Canadian citizenship by descent follows bloodlines, not marriage, so your spouse's status stays exactly what it was before you got your certificate.

The good news is that you will have new options with your newly-gained legal status. As a Canadian citizen, you have all the benefits of being a Canadian citizen. And that includes sponsoring your spouse for Canadian permanent residence, a process that's well-established and straightforward.

Note: Since citizenship by descent through bloodlines and adoption, your biological children can claim citizenship through the same line of descent that got you your certificate. Adopted children may also qualify, though the process can involve an extra step. Children born or adopted on or after December 15, 2025, have an additional requirement: their Canadian citizen parent must show at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child's birth (or adoption) to pass on citizenship.

Sponsorship gets your spouse Canadian permanent residence, not citizenship

It’s important to note that sponsoring your spouse doesn't make them a Canadian citizen outright. It's a pathway to Canadian permanent residence, a status that carries many of the same day-to-day rights as citizenship, including the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the country.

After meeting Canada's residency requirements, which generally means accumulating three years of physical presence in Canada within a five-year period, a permanent resident can apply for Canadian citizenship.

This same sponsorship path is available whether your spouse is legally married to you, your common-law partner, or your conjugal partner.

A common-law partner is someone you've lived with continuously in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months. A conjugal partner applies to couples who've been together for at least a year but have been unable to live together or marry because of circumstances beyond their control, such as immigration barriers or legal restrictions in their home country.

You need to meet certain qualifications to sponsor a partner

To sponsor your spouse or partner, you'll need to meet a handful of requirements. You must be at least 18 years old. And if you are not already living in Canada, you need to show that you plan to move to Canada by the time your spouse becomes a permanent resident.

You'll also need to demonstrate that you're not receiving social assistance for any reason other than a disability, and that you're able to cover the basic needs of yourself, your spouse or partner, and any of their dependent children who are included in the application.

Certain circumstances can limit your ability to sponsor. A history of specific criminal convictions, particularly violent offences, is one of them. If you're unsure whether something in your background affects your eligibility, a licensed immigration lawyer who specializes in proof of citizenship cases may be able to provide guidance.

Get a Free Consultation on Sponsoring your Spouse as a Canadian Citizen by Descent

The process can vary depending on several factors

The application process differs slightly depending on whether you're sponsoring a spouse/ common-law partner or a conjugal partner, so it's worth confirming which applies to you before you start gathering documents.

If your spouse lives outside Canada, you'll typically apply under the Family Class or outland sponsorship as it is commonly called.

It should be noted that Canadian citizens looking to sponsor their spouse or conjugal partner can pursue an outland sponsorship even from within Canada, allowing them freedom of movement through the application process which is not afforded to inland sponsorship applicants. Canadian citizens looking to sponsor their conjugal partners must use the outland sponsorship class.

If both you and your spouse live inside Canada, the application process is typically through the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class, or inland sponsorship. If you do choose to live in Canada while sponsoring a spouse, your partner may be able to apply for an open work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed, letting them start working legally well before a final decision is made.

Your marriage needs to be legally recognized both in Canada and in the country where the ceremony took place. This matters for Americans who married in the US and are only now discovering their Canadian citizenship: your marriage certificate from that state or jurisdiction is what IRCC will look to for proof.

Criminal history can complicate things, but isn't always disqualifying

Generally, people with certain criminal convictions face restrictions on entering Canada, including a spouse or partner you're trying to sponsor.

A conviction, including something like a DUI, can render a person inadmissible. That said, criminal inadmissibility isn't always a dead end.

Depending on the offence and how much time has passed, it may be possible to overcome it through applications like criminal rehabilitation.

Quebec has its own rules

If you plan to settle in Quebec, be aware that the province runs a separate sponsorship process on top of the federal one.

After IRCC confirms your eligibility as a sponsor, you'll need to complete a second application with Quebec's immigration ministry, which has its own conditions around eligibility, including residency, financial capacity, and criminal history. Expect the overall process to take longer if Quebec is your destination to settle in.

Paperwork is needed for both you and your spouse

Once you know which class applies to you, you can access the relevant application package, checklist, and required forms online. The paperwork covers both your side, as sponsor, and your spouse or partner's application for permanent residence, and it calls for a substantial amount of supporting documentation.

Some applicants choose to work with an authorized representative, such as a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant, to manage the process. Whether or not you use one, every family member included in the application who isn't already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident will also need to complete a medical exam at a designated point in processing. IRCC will send instructions for this directly to you and each family member when the time comes.

It's a longer road than simply claiming your own citizenship by descent, but for couples who want to build a life in Canada together, sponsorship remains a rewarding and reliable path forward.

Get a Free Consultation on Sponsoring your Spouse as a Canadian Citizen by Descent