Family Sponsorship
Spousal (In Canada, Rest of Canada) Processing Time
About 55,600 people waiting · IRCC data as of October 9, 2026
Inland spousal sponsorship is for couples living together in Canada while the sponsored spouse or partner is being processed for permanent residence. The sponsored person can usually stay in Canada throughout and may qualify for an open work permit.
This page tracks IRCC's published processing time for inland spousal applications destined outside Quebec, from complete application to final decision, along with the historical trend.
Processing Time History
| Date | Processing Time (months) |
|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | 22 |
| November 6, 2025 | 20 |
| December 9, 2025 | 20 |
| January 14, 2026 | 21 |
| February 12, 2026 | 21 |
| March 9, 2026 | 21 |
| April 7, 2026 | 24 |
| May 12, 2026 | 25 |
| June 8, 2026 | 26 |
| July 7, 2026 | 27 |
| August 10, 2026 | 27 |
| September 3, 2026 | 26 |
| October 9, 2026 | 26 |
People Ahead by Application Month
IRCC also publishes how many applications submitted in each month are still ahead of you in the Spousal (In Canada, Rest of Canada) queue.
| Month | People Ahead |
|---|---|
| 2024/10 | 3000 |
| 2024/11 | 3500 |
| 2024/12 | 3900 |
| 2025/01 | 4400 |
| 2025/02 | 5100 |
| 2025/03 | 5900 |
| 2025/04 | 6900 |
| 2025/05 | 8200 |
| 2025/06 | 9500 |
| 2025/07 | 12600 |
| 2025/08 | 15600 |
| 2025/09 | 18900 |
| 2025/10 | 22300 |
| 2025/11 | 25200 |
| 2025/12 | 28100 |
| 2026/01 | 31200 |
| 2026/02 | 34100 |
| 2026/03 | 37400 |
| 2026/04 | 40800 |
| 2026/05 | 44100 |
| 2026/06 | 47600 |
| 2026/07 | 51400 |
| 2026/08 | 54500 |
| 2026/09 | 55600 |
Get notified when this changes
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Spousal (In Canada, Rest of Canada) take right now?
As of October 9, 2026, IRCC reports a processing time of about 26 months for Spousal (In Canada, Rest of Canada) applications, with about 55,600 people waiting.
Can my spouse work in Canada while the application is in process?
Usually yes. Inland applicants in valid status can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), which IRCC typically issues well before the permanent residence decision.
Should we apply inland or outland?
Inland keeps the sponsored spouse in Canada and unlocks the open work permit, but leaving Canada mid-process is riskier. Outland (outside Canada) applications allow travel and appeal rights but the applicant may need separate status to be in Canada. Compare both pages on this tracker before deciding.