For US-based Couples · Updated 2026

Moving to Canada From the US: Sponsoring Your Spouse

Whether you're a Canadian sponsoring your American husband or wife, or a Canadian living in the US who wants to bring your partner home — this is where your move begins. Handled personally by an immigration lawyer, across every Canadian province.

Two kinds of US-Canada couples we help

Most people who reach out from the United States fall into one of two situations. Both lead to the same destination — Canadian permanent residence for your spouse — but the strategy differs.

1. You're Canadian, your spouse is American

You're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and you want your American spouse or common-law partner to live with you in Canada permanently. This is the most straightforward path: you're already an eligible sponsor. The main decisions are inland vs outland and how to document a genuine relationship for IRCC.

2. You're a Canadian living in the US, planning to return

You've been living in the United States — for work, study, or family — and now you want to move back to Canada with your spouse. You can sponsor from abroad through the outland stream, but there's one extra requirement: you must show a genuine intention to return to Canada once permanent residence is granted. A well-built intent-to-return package is where good legal preparation pays off.

Inland or outland — which is right for you?

This is the single most important early decision, and it shapes your timeline, your spouse's ability to work, and your freedom to travel between the two countries.

Getting this choice wrong can cost your family months. The right answer depends on where your spouse lives now, whether they need to work immediately, and how much you'll travel. We'll walk through it with you.

The questions Americans ask us most

Can we travel between the US and Canada while the application is processing?

With an outland application, yes — there's no requirement to stay in Canada, and you can continue your life and travel as needed (valid status still applies at the border). With an inland application, extended or frequent absences can raise concerns and re-entry is at the border officer's discretion, so travel should be limited and documented.

Can my spouse work in Canada while we wait?

Under inland sponsorship, your spouse can apply for an open work permit that typically arrives months before permanent residence — so they're not stuck at home for a year. Outland doesn't include this, though a separate open work permit may be possible in some cases.

How long does it take?

As of 2026, IRCC's figures sit around 15–16 months for outland and 21–25 months for inland (outside Quebec). These shift monthly — always check IRCC's processing-times tool, and know that strategy and a complete file can make a real difference to your outcome.

Why work with Me Gad Pariente

• Nearly 20 years of experience — hundreds of families reunited
• 4.8★ from 118 Google reviews
• Across all of Canada — Ontario, BC, Alberta, and beyond, not just Quebec
• Posted flat fees, in writing, before you commit
• He handles your file personally — not a junior, not an assistant
• Toll-free line for US and Canadian callers

Flat legal fees (in Canadian dollars)

Transparent, posted fees — no hourly billing, no surprises. These are professional legal fees and don't include government processing fees.

• Inland spousal sponsorship: $4,000 CAD
• Outland spousal sponsorship: $4,500 CAD
• Common-law sponsorship: $4,000–$4,500 CAD

Settling in Quebec? Add $500 CAD. Quebec adds a provincial step — the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) — on top of the federal application, which requires extra work. This supplement applies only if your spouse will live in Quebec; most US-based couples settle elsewhere in Canada and are not affected.

Fees are quoted and billed in Canadian dollars (CAD). We handle Canadian immigration law; your case is filed with Canada's IRCC regardless of where you currently live.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Me Gad Pariente is a member of the Barreau du Québec. Federal immigration matters (IRCC, IRB, CBSA) are within the jurisdiction of Canadian-licensed lawyers regardless of province of practice.