Online Application

Q123) How to apply for Online Application for Spousal Sponsorship?

IRCC is currently testing a new online application for some permanent immigration programs:

• Provincial nominee program (non-Express Entry)

• Rural and northern immigration pilot

• Agri-food pilot

• Atlantic immigration program

• Start-up visa

• Self-employed people (federal and Quebec)

• Quebec-selected skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors

• Sponsoring a spouse, partner, dependent child or other family

• Adopting a child through the immigration process

• Protected persons and convention refugees in Canada

• Humanitarian and compassionate grounds

• Temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence

• Home Support Worker Pilot

To try it, sign in or create a Permanent residence online application portal account.

Filling out forms

You’ll fill out these digital forms online

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)

• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

• Supplementary Information - Your travels (IMM 5562)

You or any family members coming with you must fill out the rest of the PDF forms in the instruction guide for your immigration program (below)

• you don’t need to print them and sign by hand unless the form needs a third-party signature

  • sponsors and the person they’re sponsoring must both sign the

    • Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)

    • Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283)

    • Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation Form (IMM 5532)

• upload them to your online application

• as the principal applicant, you’ll electronically sign for the entire application, including those of your family members

Immigration representatives

If you want to appoint someone to do business with us on your behalf, you must

• submit a Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form

• sign it by hand and get your immigration representative to do so also

• upload it with your application

An immigration representative (an immigration consultant or lawyer) can give you advice and help you with your application for a fee. But they can’t

• open a portal account on your behalf

• electronically sign the application for you

• sign into the portal using your username and password

You can use the portal to fill out and upload your forms and supporting documents. A representative can

• help you prepare the documents you need to upload

• answer questions about the forms

• help you with the application using screen-sharing technology

After you read the declaration, you must be the one who types your name and clicks the “submit” button. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed,” according to Canada’s immigration law.

Electronically sign your application

• You must type your full name exactly as shown on your passport to electronically sign your application.

Photo specifications

You need one photo for each person on your application.

Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of your photo.

Applying for an Open Work Permit (OWP) as a spouse or common-law partner in Canada

You can’t apply for your open work permit online when you submit your in-Canada spousal application online. Find out how to submit your open work permit application.