Family Sponsorship
Spousal Sponsorship Canada Immigration Numbers Declining Compared to Last Year
Canada’s spousal sponsorship program, a key immigration route for family reunification, is experiencing a noticeable drop in 2024. While there was a slight uptick in July, overall numbers still lag behind last year’s data. With fewer new permanent residents arriving through the program, the year is shaping up to see a significant decline compared to 2023.
Spousal Sponsorship Numbers in 2024
The year 2024 started slowly for spousal sponsorship immigration, and despite a slight rebound in July, it continues to track lower than last year. In July, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported 6,170 new permanent residents under the spousal sponsorship program, an 8.3% increase from June’s total of 5,695. However, compared to the same period in 2023, the first seven months of 2024 have seen 18.6% fewer new residents under spousal sponsorship, with only 40,700 arrivals compared to 50,065 by this time last year.
Provinces Leading Spousal Sponsorship in 2024
Ontario continues to lead the country, attracting 20,395 spouses and common-law partners as new permanent residents. Other provinces also played a key role in welcoming newcomers under this program:
| Province | New Residents (2024, Jan-July) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 115 |
| Prince Edward Island | 90 |
| Nova Scotia | 515 |
| New Brunswick | 365 |
| Quebec | 5,095 |
| Manitoba | 1,205 |
| Saskatchewan | 700 |
| Alberta | 5,525 |
| British Columbia | 6,665 |
| Yukon | 40 |
| Northwest Territories | 45 |
| Nunavut | 15 |
Interestingly, Newfoundland and Labrador saw the highest percentage growth in July, with a 75% increase in spousal sponsorship immigration. On the flip side, Saskatchewan experienced the biggest drop, with 13% fewer arrivals in July compared to June.
Why Is Spousal Sponsorship Canada Tracking Lower This Year?
A key factor behind the slowdown could be a backlog in processing applications. Despite improvements in the processing time for spousal sponsorship applications, IRCC’s system continues to face delays. While in 2022, it took about 20 months to process an application, this has now been reduced to roughly 10 months. However, issues such as incomplete applications and the need for additional proof of relationships can slow down the process.
Current trends suggest that Canada could welcome approximately 69,891 new permanent residents through the spousal sponsorship program by the end of 2024—7.1% fewer than the 75,270 who arrived last year.
Requirements and Process for Spousal Sponsorship in Canada
Spousal sponsorship offers Canadian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to bring their spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner to Canada as a permanent resident. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how the process works:
- In most cases, sponsors do not need to meet a specific income level to support their spouse, unless there are dependent children involved.
- The sponsor must agree to provide basic financial support, including covering essential needs like food, shelter, dental care, and more. This agreement stands regardless of any change in circumstances.
- On average, spousal sponsorship applications take about 12 months to process. However, the timeline can vary based on the complexity of the case.
| Fees Breakdown | Cost |
| Sponsorship Fee | $75 |
| Principal Applicant Fee | $490 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $515 |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 |
| Total | $1,165 |
While 2024 may see lower overall numbers for spousal sponsorship, the program remains a vital part of Canada’s immigration framework. The government’s effort to reduce processing times and improve application procedures will hopefully attract more applicants in the future.
For those considering applying, it’s crucial to ensure that your application is complete and properly submitted to avoid delays. Working with immigration professionals can help you streamline the process and increase the likelihood of a successful application.
