Spousal sponsorship in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or commonlaw partner for Canadian permanent residence. Here's an overview of how it typically works:

Eligibility Criteria: Both the sponsor and the sponsored spouse or partner must meet certain eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These criteria include factors like legal status, age, relationship status, and whether the relationship is genuine.

Application Process: The sponsor initiates the process by submitting an application to sponsor their spouse or partner for permanent residence. Simultaneously, the sponsored spouse or partner typically applies for permanent residence. Both applications are usually submitted together.

Processing Time: The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications can vary depending on various factors such as the volume of applications, the completeness of the application, and any additional requests for information from IRCC. Generally, the processing time can range from several months to over a year.

Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship: There are two main streams for spousal sponsorship: inland and outland. Inland sponsorship is for couples who are already living together in Canada, while outland sponsorship is for couples where one spouse is residing outside Canada.

Conditional Permanent Residence: In some cases, sponsored spouses or partners may be granted conditional permanent residence, especially if the relationship is relatively new. This means that the sponsored person must live with their sponsor for a certain period before the conditions are lifted.

Supporting Documentation: Both the sponsor and the sponsored spouse or partner need to provide various supporting documents to prove the genuineness of their relationship, such as marriage certificates, joint bank account statements, photographs together, and letters of support from family and friends.

Interviews and Medical Examinations: IRCC may require the sponsor and/or the sponsored spouse or partner to attend interviews or undergo medical examinations as part of the application process.

Approval and Landing: If the application is approved, the sponsored spouse or partner will receive Canadian permanent residence status and may then be able to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely. They may also eventually be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

It's crucial to carefully follow the instructions provided by IRCC and ensure that all required documents are submitted accurately and on time to avoid delays or potential rejection of the application.