Canada’s spousal sponsorship program, a key route for family reunification, has experienced a notable decline in 2024. Despite a brief increase in July, the overall number of new permanent residents arriving through the program continues to lag behind last year’s figures. The year is on track for a significant drop compared to 2023, raising questions about the factors behind this downward trend.
Spousal Sponsorship Immigration Numbers in 2024
The year began slowly for spousal sponsorship immigration, with fewer arrivals than expected. In July 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported 6,170 new permanent residents under the spousal sponsorship program, which represented an 8.3% increase from June’s total of 5,695. However, despite this small rebound, the total number of new permanent residents in the first seven months of 2024 has dropped by 18.6% compared to the same period in 2023. So far, only 40,700 new residents have arrived through spousal sponsorship, down from 50,065 last year.
Provincial Breakdown of Spousal Sponsorship in 2024
Ontario continues to lead the country in welcoming new residents through the spousal sponsorship program. As of July 2024, the province had accepted 20,395 new spouses and common-law partners as permanent residents. Other provinces have also played a key role in the program, with British Columbia and Alberta following closely behind. Here’s a look at the provincial distribution for the first seven months of 2024:
| Province | New Residents (Jan-July 2024) |
| 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 |
Newfoundland and Labrador saw the highest percentage growth in July, with a 75% increase in spousal sponsorship arrivals. In contrast, Saskatchewan experienced the largest drop, with 13% fewer arrivals compared to June.
Why Are Spousal Sponsorship Numbers Lower in 2024?
One major factor contributing to the decline in spousal sponsorship numbers this year could be processing backlogs. While IRCC has made strides in reducing the average processing time for spousal sponsorship applications—from 20 months in 2022 to around 10 months currently—delays still persist. Incomplete applications and requests for additional proof of relationship are common reasons for slow processing times.
Current projections suggest that Canada may welcome around 69,891 new permanent residents through the spousal sponsorship program by the end of 2024. This would represent a 7.1% decrease from the 75,270 new residents welcomed in 2023.
Requirements and Fees for Spousal Sponsorship
Canada’s spousal sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency. Sponsors are generally not required to meet a specific income level unless dependent children are involved, but they must commit to providing financial support for their spouse’s basic needs.
The breakdown of fees for spousal sponsorship is as follows:
- Sponsorship Fee: $75
- Principal Applicant Fee: $490
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $515
- Biometrics Fee: $85
- Total: $1,165
While 2024 may see fewer arrivals under the spousal sponsorship program, it remains a crucial part of Canada’s immigration strategy. Continued improvements in processing times and application procedures will be key to attracting more applicants in the future.
For those considering applying, ensuring that your application is complete and accurate can help avoid unnecessary delays. Working with an immigration professional can also increase your chances of a successful application and timely approval.
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