If you’re married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and dreaming of starting a new life in Canada, 2025 could be your year. The Canadian government continues to make immigration through family sponsorship accessible—but there’s a lot to know, especially if you’re aiming to work or study in Canada while your immigration process is underway.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about immigrating to Canada through marriage in 2025, with a focus on work and study options.
Who Can Sponsor You?
First things first: to immigrate through marriage, your spouse must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They must be:
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At least 18 years old.
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Living in Canada (or planning to return when you arrive).
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Financially able to support you (although there’s no income requirement for spousal sponsorship like there is for other types of sponsorship).
If they’re a Canadian citizen living abroad, they need to prove they will return to Canada once your permanent residency is approved.
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What Kind of Relationship Qualifies?
Canada recognizes three types of relationships for spousal sponsorship:
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Legally married: You must have a valid marriage certificate from the country where the marriage took place.
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Common-law partners: You must have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
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Conjugal partners: If you can’t live together or get married due to legal or immigration barriers, you may qualify under this category.
For this article, we’ll focus on legally married couples, but keep in mind that common-law relationships are also eligible.
Two Ways to Apply: Inland vs. Outland
There are two main paths to apply for spousal sponsorship:
Inland Sponsorship
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You and your spouse are both already living in Canada.
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You can apply for an Open Work Permit while your application is being processed.
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Best if you’re already in Canada on a temporary visa.
Outland Sponsorship
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You’re living outside of Canada.
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You can still visit Canada on a visitor visa (if eligible), but you’ll apply through your country’s visa office.
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Processing times are usually faster.
Work and Study While Waiting? Yes, You Can.
This is where things get interesting. Many people want to know: Can I work or study in Canada while my spousal sponsorship is being processed?
YES, but there are some important conditions.
Work Permit for Sponsored Spouse (Inland)
If you’re already in Canada and apply through the inland sponsorship route, you can also apply for an Open Work Permit.
Here’s what you need to know:
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Submit your spousal sponsorship and open work permit applications together.
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You must have legal status in Canada when you apply (e.g., visitor, student, worker).
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The open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada.
Processing time for the work permit is around 4–5 months, but it allows you to support yourself and your spouse financially while waiting.
Study Permit While Sponsored
If you want to study in Canada while your spousal sponsorship is underway, you’ll need to apply for a study permit. You must:
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Get accepted into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
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Prove that you have funds to cover your tuition and living expenses.
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Provide supporting documents about your relationship and sponsorship.
Being married to a Canadian doesn’t automatically qualify you for a study permit—you still need to meet the regular criteria. But having a spouse in Canada can strengthen your ties to Canada in the eyes of visa officers.
Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsored Spouse
As the person being sponsored, you must:
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Be at least 18 years old.
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Pass medical, criminal, and background checks.
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Not be inadmissible to Canada.
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Prove that your relationship is genuine and not just for immigration purposes.
Immigration officers are trained to spot red flags, so you’ll need to provide proof of your relationship. This could include:
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Photos together.
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Travel itineraries.
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Chat logs or emails.
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Joint financial documents.
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Affidavits from friends and family.
Timeline and Processing in 2025
In 2025, the average processing time for spousal sponsorships is 12 months, whether you apply inland or outland. But this can vary depending on:
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Your country of origin.
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Whether your application is complete.
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Security/background checks.
Pro tip: Make sure your application is 100% complete and well-documented to avoid delays.
Can I Travel While My Application Is Processing?
If you apply inland, you should avoid traveling outside Canada while your application is being processed. Leaving the country may be seen as abandoning your inland application.
If you apply outland, you can travel to and from Canada, but make sure your visitor visa (if applicable) is valid and that you’re able to prove your intention to return home after a short visit.
What Happens After Approval?
Once approved:
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You’ll receive permanent resident status.
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You can live, work, or study anywhere in Canada.
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You’ll be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years of residency (within a 5-year period).
Your spouse becomes your official sponsor, and you’re expected to live together in a genuine relationship. If the relationship ends shortly after immigration, it may trigger an investigation.
What If My Application Is Denied?
If your application is refused, you’ll receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons include:
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Incomplete forms or missing documents.
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Doubts about the authenticity of your relationship.
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Issues with criminal or medical admissibility.
You can appeal the decision or reapply with better documentation, depending on your case.
Conclusions
Immigrating to Canada through marriage in 2025 is absolutely possible—and it comes with real opportunities to work and study while you wait. The key is submitting a solid, genuine, and well-organized application. Make sure both you and your spouse understand the requirements and gather as much evidence as possible.
If you plan to work or study during the process, start early: apply for your open work permit or study permit as soon as you can, and always maintain legal status while in Canada.
Canada values families—and if you and your spouse are committed and ready to build a life together, the system is designed to support you. Just follow the rules, be honest, and stay organized.
