Spousal Sponsorship Processing Times in 2025: What You Can Do to Speed Up Your Application
Spousal sponsorship remains one of the most widely used immigration pathways to permanent residence in Canada. It allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their foreign national spouses and common-law partners by sponsoring them for permanent residence.
In 2025, while the overall commitment by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to family reunification remains strong, the processing times have become longer and more unpredictable, especially for applicants applying from inside Canada (inland sponsorship), or where the application lacks sufficient supporting documentation.
But the good news is this: you can reduce delays and improve your chances of a successful outcome by being proactive, strategic, and thorough.
Current IRCC Processing Times (As of July 2025)
According to IRCC’s official processing times tool:
Outland Sponsorship Applications: Average 10 to 13 months
Inland Sponsorship Applications (with Open Work Permit): Up to 34 months
❗Note: Processing times reflect how long it took IRCC to process 80% of applications over the past 6 months. Actual times may vary depending on the visa office, application completeness, and background checks.
This means that many applicants, especially those applying inland, are now waiting over 2.5 years for a decision, which can be emotionally and financially draining for couples hoping to build their lives together in Canada.
Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship: What’s the Difference?
Outland Sponsorship: Your partner applies for permanent residence from outside Canada. You may be able live together during processing if your partner has valid temporary status (visitor, student, or worker), but they’re not guaranteed the ability to stay or work.
Inland Sponsorship: Your partner is already in Canada and applies from within. They may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work while waiting for a decision.
Choosing between these two depends on your partner’s location, status, and ability to remain in Canada legally throughout the process. Processing times and travel restrictions may also influence this decision.
Common Causes of Delay in Spousal Sponsorship Applications
IRCC officers assess not just eligibility, but also the genuineness of your relationship and the completeness of your documentation. Here are the most common reasons applications are delayed:
Incomplete Applications: Missing required forms, signatures, or documents is one of the fastest ways to get your application returned or delayed.
Insufficient Relationship Evidence: A marriage certificate or common-law cohabitation is not enough. IRCC expects proof of emotional and financial interdependence, ongoing communication, shared travel, etc.
Outdated Police Certificates: If documents expire mid-process, IRCC may issue a request for an updated version, delaying a final decision.
Requests for Additional Information: If your relationship appears unclear or inconsistent, IRCC may issue a Procedural Fairness Letter or a general request for further proof, adding delays to your timeline.
5 Tips to Speed Up Your Application
Double-check for completeness using IRCC’s document checklist for your sponsorship category. Ensure all forms are digitally validated, correctly signed, and submitted in the correct format.
Submit strong relationship evidence beyond wedding photos or proof of cohabitation. This may include: Travel history together (boarding passes, tickets, visas); Communication logs; Joint finances; Photos and declarations from family and friends.
Explain unique factors of your relationship clearly in a submission letter.
Keep police checks & other documentation current. Keeping them current or renewing them proactively can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Respond quickly to IRCC letters. Delays in responding often translate into months of additional wait time, especially if you miss a deadline and IRCC closes your file.
Key Takeaway: You Can Control the Quality, Not the Timeline
Spousal sponsorship does not have to take forever, but it is subject to fluctuating processing times. While you can’t make IRCC work faster, you can increase your chances of a smooth and timely approval by submitting a complete, well-documented, and compelling application.
Need Help With a Spousal Sponsorship?
As a Canadian immigration lawyer, I regularly assist couples around the world with both inland and outland spousal sponsorship applications. Whether you are just starting or have had a file returned, I can help ensure your submission meets IRCC’s expectations the first time.
📩 Book a consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options by contacting rharding@hardingimmigrationlaw.com