If you plan to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner to live in Quebec, it’s important to understand that Quebec operates its own immigration system. While spousal sponsorship still results in Canadian permanent residence, Quebec adds an additional provincial approval step.
Unlike other Canadian provinces, Quebec has authority over selecting immigrants destined to the province.
This means that Quebec spousal sponsorship requires:
Although the final outcome is the same — Canadian permanent residence — Quebec applicants must complete an additional undertaking process with the province.
Quebec spousal sponsorship allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Quebec to sponsor:
Sponsor Requirements in Quebec
To sponsor your spouse in Quebec, you must:
Quebec Financial Undertaking
In Quebec, sponsors must sign a legally binding undertaking committing to financially support their spouse for three years from the date permanent residence is granted.
Unlike other immigration programs, there is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse. However, you must demonstrate the ability to meet basic financial obligations.
Sponsored Person Requirements
The sponsored individual must:
Insufficient proof of relationship is one of the most common reasons for refusal in Quebec spousal sponsorship applications. Always remember, the visa officer has full discretion in assessing relationship evidence. The stronger and more detailed your documentation, the higher your chances of approval.
To qualify as common-law partners, you must prove: Examples of proof include:
If you cannot marry or live together due to legal or immigration barriers, you must provide: Evidence of financial support or dependency
Get creative when trying to prove your relationship. Find pictures and/or documents that tell the story of your relationship, and then provide letters of explanation to make your case to the visa officer. For more info, read our blog on How to Prove a Genuine Relationship.
Current Quebec spousal sponsorship government fees:
Total: $1,625
For a complete list of IRCC fees, click here.
Applicants must submit:
Quebec Undertaking Application (Provincial Stage)
After federal approval of the sponsor, Quebec requires submission of an undertaking application, which includes:
Once approved, the sponsored spouse receives a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), allowing the federal permanent residence process to continue.
Processing times for Quebec spousal sponsorship are significantly longer than in other provinces.
Current average processing time: Approximately 35 months.
Quebec also operates under an intake quota system. For the June 2024–June 2026 period, only 10,400 applications for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18+ were accepted. The quota was reached early, and the intake was temporarily closed.
Because quotas can close quickly, timing and preparation are critical.
Working with a Canadian immigration attorney can minimize the likelihood of a refusal or return of your Quebec spousal sponsorship application. Lawyers will review your application, ensuring it is complete and accurate, and respond promptly to any requests for additional information from Quebec’s immigration authorities.
Sponsored spouses who reside in Canada may be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit while their application is being processed, provided they meet federal eligibility criteria.
An Open Work Permit allows the holder to work for most employers in Canada without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Start my Sponsorship for Quebec province!No. There is no minimum French language requirement for spousal sponsorship in Quebec. However, French proficiency may help with integration.
No specific minimum income applies when sponsoring a spouse. However, you must sign a three-year financial undertaking.
You do not need a CSQ to submit the initial federal sponsorship application. However, once Quebec approves the undertaking, the sponsored spouse will receive a CSQ to continue federal processing.
Yes. Quebec limits the number of family sponsorship applications it accepts per intake period.
Embark on your journey to Quebec spousal sponsorship today! Take the first step by initiating a free online assessment to determine your eligibility.
Discover the possibilities and start your application process with confidence.
Free sponsorship assessment