Sponsoring your spouse to become a permanent resident in Canada is a big step—and it comes with important financial considerations. Understanding how much money you need can make the application process smoother and less stressful.
Financial Requirements for Spousal Sponsorship
Good news: in most cases, there is no strict minimum income required to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. The main responsibility is to show that you can financially support your spouse once they arrive in Canada, including providing for basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
When Is an Income Requirement Needed?
An income requirement only applies in specific situations, such as:
- If you are sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child, and that child has their own dependent child.
- If you are sponsoring a dependent child who also has a dependent child.
In these cases, you must show that your income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) to support everyone in your household, including yourself, your spouse, your children, and any other dependents you have previously sponsored.
Income Requirements for 2025
If you fall under a category where income proof is needed, here’s a rough guide for 2025:
| Family Size | Minimum Income (2024) |
| 2 people | $47,549 |
| 3 people | $58,456 |
| 4 people | $70,972 |
| 5 people | $80,496 |
| 6 people | $90,784 |
| 7 people | $101,075 |
| Each additional person | +$10,291 |
These amounts are based on Canadian government guidelines and can vary slightly year to year.
How to Prove Your Income
To demonstrate that you meet the income requirement, you generally need to provide your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the last three tax years. If you have a co-signer (like your spouse), they will need to provide theirs, too.
Application Fees
Sponsoring a spouse comes with some fees:
- Sponsorship fee: $85
- Principal applicant processing fee: $545
- Right of permanent residence fee: $575
Total: $1,205
You can choose not to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee upfront, which reduces the total to $630.
Special Considerations for Quebec Residents
If you live in Quebec, there are extra steps:
- Signing an undertaking with the Government of Quebec
- Meeting Quebec-specific income requirements, if applicable
Final Thoughts
For most people, sponsoring a spouse does not require a minimum income. But if your spouse has dependent children, or if you have other financial obligations from previous sponsorships, you may need to prove that you can support your family.
Always check the latest government guidelines before submitting your application to make sure you meet all requirements. Sponsoring your spouse is a big commitment—but with the right preparation, you can make the process smooth and stress-free.