Document Checklist for Canada’s Outland Spousal Sponsorship

Because you need these documents as proof of the relationship to support your application for Spousal Sponsorship Canada, many Canadian permanent residents and citizens successfully sponsor their non-Canadian spouses for Canadian permanent residence through the Spousal Sponsorship program each year.

This immigration program will remain open in the foreseeable future thanks to the Canadian government’s commitment to increasing its immigrant intake over the next three years.

If you plan to sponsor your spouse outside Canada for a Canada PR Visa through this program, you must complete various forms and submit multiple documents. Knowing which ones to fill out and include with the application can be confusing, so we have included the list of Documents Required for Spouse Visa Canada in this guide.

Please note that we will refer to you, a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen, as the “sponsor” in this guide. We will also refer to your non-Canadian spouse who you wish to sponsor and currently residing outside Canada as the “principal applicant” in this guide.

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• Document Checklist (IMM 5533): Both sponsors and principal applicants must submit the corresponding documents.
• Forms for Sponsor and Principal Applicant: The Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire (IMM 5532) and Use of Representative (IMM 5476) are jointly filled out.
• Forms for Sponsor: Sponsor-specific forms include the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement, and Undertaking (IMM 1344).
• Forms for Principal Applicant: Principal applicants fill out forms like the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008), Supplementary Information Your Travels (IMM 5562), Additional Family Information (IMM 5406), and Schedule A Background/Declaration (IMM 5669).
• Supporting Documents: Essential documents include identity, status, and employment documents, bank statements, proof of financial stability, and proof of relationship.
• Travel and Police Documents: Required are copies of passport ID pages, stamped pages, and police clearance certificates for countries lived in for over six months.
• Photographs: Two permanent residence application-sized photos for the principal applicant are required.
• Proof of Relationship Documents: Evidence includes letters, emails, text messages, social media conversations, proof of past cohabitation, financial support proof, statements from family/friends, and photos of significant events.

Document Checklist for Canada’s Outland Spousal Sponsorship

Anyone applying for Canada’s outland spousal sponsorship must submit various forms and documents outlined in the IMM 5533 document checklist. This checklist contains many checkboxes which list mandatory documents and optional supporting ones. The sponsor and the principal applicant must check each checkbox that applies to them and submit the corresponding document listed.

Forms the Sponsor and the Principal Applicant Must Fill Out Together

The sponsor and the principal applicant must fill out both these forms together as they require information from each one.

Sponsorship Evaluation and Relationship Questionnaire (IMM 5532)

Form IMM 5532 includes multiple questions about the sponsor and the principal applicant’s relationship. By filling out this form, the couple provides Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with a convincing and verifiable story about their relationship.

Use of Representative (IMM 5476)

The sponsor and principal applicant must fill out Form IMM 5476 if they intend to use a representative, such as an immigration lawyer or an unpaid helper, to complete their application on their behalf.