I am a permanent resident who left Canada for a few years. Can I now sponsor my spouse?

To sponsor a spouse, you must be a permanent resident residing in Canada at the time of the application. If you have been living abroad for an extended period, you need to ensure you are lawfully back in Canada before applying.

You also need to ensure your own permanent resident status is intact. Permanent residents have a residency obligation requiring them to spend a minimum number of days in Canada within each five-year period — the specific threshold is set by federal regulations. If you have not met that obligation, your own PR status may be at risk, and you cannot sponsor someone else while your status is in question or has been revoked.

If you have recently returned to Canada and your PR status is in good standing, you should be eligible to sponsor once you are residing in Canada again. If there is any doubt about whether you have met your residency obligations, address that issue before filing a spousal sponsorship — a refusal of the sponsorship could also trigger scrutiny of your own status. An immigration lawyer can review your travel history and advise on your eligibility.