Spousal / Common-law Sponsorship (Family Class)

Canada · for applicants from Nigeria

Verified · 20 August 2026

A Canadian citizen or PR sponsors a spouse, common-law (12 months cohabiting) or conjugal partner for permanent residence. No minimum income requirement (unlike parents/grandparents). Sponsor signs a 3-year undertaking. Inland applicants may get an open work permit while waiting.

Rules last verified: 20 August 2026 · by Beatrice B

At a glance

Embassy processing

About 12 months

Our turnaround

5–7 working days

Done-for-you Standard

Government fees

~£995

≈ ₦1,812,890

Why applications get refused

Relationship not genuine

Officer believes the relationship is primarily for immigration.

Fix: Provide broad, dated evidence: cohabitation, joint finances, communication, visits, photos.

Sponsor ineligible

Sponsor in default of a previous undertaking or on social assistance.

Fix: Confirm sponsor eligibility before applying.

Incomplete application

Missing forms or documents.

Fix: Use the IRCC document checklist; submit a complete package.

Document checklist

Required

Proof of relationship (marriage/cohabitation, photos, communication, finances)

When: "all"

Sponsor's proof of status (citizenship/PR)

When: "all"

Applicant's valid passport

When: "all"

Police certificates

When: "all"

Upfront medical exam

When: "all"

Application timeline

1. Prepare your application

Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms

1–3 weeks

2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)

Specialist checks your file before you submit

5–7 working days

3. Submit online or at visa centre

Biometrics appointment may be required

1 day

4. Embassy decision

Standard processing. Priority options may be available.

About 12 months

All-in government fees

These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.

Mandatory

Sponsorship + processing fee

£643

1,171,546

Right of Permanent Residence fee

£307

559,354

Biometrics

£45

81,990

Total government fees

995

≈ ₦1,812,890

Indicative. 1 GBP = 1,822 NGN · 16 September 2026. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.

What a free chatbot cannot do

A free AI can tell you the rules. Rekoja does the harder part: we verify them against the official government source, prepare the actual application file, catch what gets people refused, and a specialist checks everything before you submit. We stand behind our work.

  • Rules verified against the official source, with the date
  • Document checklist built for your specific profile
  • The inconsistency check that catches what gets people refused
  • A human reviews your complete file before submission

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Common questions about the Spousal / Common-law Sponsorship (Family Class)

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Not a visa decision or legal advice. Rules shown are as of the last verification date above. Immigration rules change. Confirm before filing. The embassy decides, not Rekoja.