4. Complete the application forms
Question & Answer
How do I sponsor my spouse or partner if they’re living outside Canada?You and your or partner need to fill out the required forms and include all of the documents that are on the checklist in your application package.
Follow the instructions about how to complete the forms. These instructions are in the basic guide and the checklist that comes with your package. There’s also a complete guide with more detailed instructions.
Work with your spouse or partner to complete the forms together. You need to agree on the correct information in all the forms that you send in.
How to submit the forms
There are forms that:
- only you as the sponsor need to sign
- only your spouse or partner, who Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) calls the “principal applicant”, needs to sign
- both of you must sign
Send all the completed and signed forms to IRCC in one package.
To speed things up, your spouse or partner can electronically scan the forms they’ve completed and signed. And you can print and submit copies of these scanned documents. They still need to send you the originals because IRCC can ask to see them.
It’s best to use a courier to make sure the original documents arrive safely.
Fill out the forms carefully
If the forms are not completed with all the required information, IRCC will send the application back. They won’t begin to process the application until it’s complete.
If something does not apply, write “N/A” or “not applicable”. If you’re not sure about something, say so. If you need more space to explain something, use another sheet of paper and attach it with your application.
IRCC checks any other information they have about you and your spouse or partner, such as information in previous applications. If there are differences, IRCC may investigate. And there’s a risk that you could:
- lose your status in Canada, and
- be forced to leave.
If there’s any risk that this could happen, get legal help.
Use a computer if you can
It’s best to use a computer to fill out the forms. Some of the forms have a “validate” button. Clicking on the “validate” button identifies certain errors, for example, if you’ve left blank spaces. This gives you a chance to correct the problem.
If the form is complete, clicking on the “validate” button gives you a barcode page for the form. You need to print the barcode page and the form because the form must be signed before you send it in. Include the barcode page with your application.
If the forms are not completed using a computer or not validated, you need to include a note with your application that explains why.
