Maple News reports that Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for immigration to Quebec, but the process involves both federal and provincial steps due to Quebec’s unique immigration authority.
To begin, sponsors must submit a complete sponsorship and permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes completed forms, supporting documents, and the necessary processing fees. In addition to sponsoring the partner, the sponsored individual’s permanent residence application must be submitted at the same time.
Once IRCC deems the application eligible, sponsors must then apply for an “undertaking” through Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI). This legal commitment binds the sponsor, the Quebec government, and the person being sponsored. Applicants must download the MIFI application kit, complete the required documents, and submit the applicable fees.
If MIFI approves the undertaking, it forwards the application back to IRCC for final processing. At this point, the sponsored person must meet federal requirements on health, criminal background, and security checks before permanent residence can be granted.
Upon arrival in Quebec, newcomers benefit from settlement and integration support offered by MIFI, including French language classes, group information sessions, and services from community organizations that assist new immigrants transitioning to life in Quebec.
Sponsorship applicants must meet eligibility criteria: they must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a Registered First Nations individual. Unlike other family sponsorship streams, such as for parents or grandparents, spousal sponsorships do not have a strict financial threshold. However, sponsors must still demonstrate that they can financially support their partner and any dependent children.
According to current government guidelines, spousal sponsorship applications typically take around 12 months to process, including a 2–3 month review period to confirm eligibility of the sponsorship.
Understanding the two-tiered process—first through IRCC and then MIFI—is crucial for a smooth sponsorship experience. With the right preparation and documentation, this pathway offers a clear route for loved ones to reunite and start a new life together in Quebec.