Family Sponsorship Update — August 24, 2026

What You Should Do

• -If you received a biometrics request letter, book your biometrics appointment immediately — you have only 30 days from the letter date. Bring the letter and your passport to a biometric collection site.
• -If your sponsored spouse, partner, or dependent child is outside Canada and waiting on a PR decision, advise them to apply for a visitor visa now at canada.ca/visitor-visa so they can join you sooner and potentially obtain an open work permit on arrival.
• -If you are living in Quebec and waiting on a MIFI undertaking, check your email, IRCC portal, and mail regularly for updates — your PR application cannot be finalized until the undertaking is received. Visit canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/track-update-application.html for guidance.
• -Check current spousal sponsorship processing times at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html — select 'Family Sponsorship' and your province to get the most accurate estimate, noting Quebec has a separate processing time.
• -Note that applications involving applicants whose last country of residence is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda are currently subject to longer processing times due to temporary special measures. Check canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html for updates.