Canada remains one of the top destinations in the world for newcomers, offering stability, opportunities, and a welcoming environment. For those looking to build a life in the country, there are multiple immigration pathways available. Two of the most common routes are Spousal Sponsorship Canada and Express Entry Canada.
A frequent question that arises for couples and individuals is: Which pathway is faster? The answer depends on the applicant’s situation, eligibility, and long-term goals.
In this article, we’ll compare the two processes, highlight their differences, and examine which one offers greater immigration speed when applying for permanent residence.
Understanding Spousal Sponsorship in Canada
Spousal sponsorship Canada is a family reunification program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency. The goal of the program is to keep families together by offering a relatively direct route to permanent residence.
Key Features:
Eligibility: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and able to demonstrate financial stability.
Application Streams: There are two main options—inland sponsorship (when the spouse is already in Canada) and outland sponsorship (when the spouse is outside Canada).
Processing Time: On average, spousal sponsorship Canada applications take around 12 months to process, though timelines may vary depending on case complexity and visa office workload.
This pathway is highly effective for couples who wish to live together in Canada permanently, and it prioritizes family unification.
Understanding Express Entry in Canada
Express Entry Canada is an economic immigration program designed to bring skilled workers into the country. It uses a points-based system, called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to evaluate candidates on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Key Features:
Eligibility: Applicants must qualify under one of the three federal economic programs—Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class.
Points System: Applicants are ranked in the Express Entry pool, and those with higher CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.
Processing Time: Once an application is submitted after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the government aims to finalize it within six months.
Express Entry Canada is designed to attract skilled professionals and typically offers faster immigration speed for those who meet the eligibility criteria and score competitively in the pool.
Comparing Immigration Speed
When comparing spousal sponsorship in Canada and Express Entry Canada, speed is often the deciding factor for applicants.
Spousal Sponsorship: Average processing is around 12 months. However, couples can apply for open work permits (in inland cases), allowing spouses to live and work in Canada while waiting.
Express Entry: Average processing after ITA is six months, making it one of the fastest PR options Canada has available. However, candidates must first receive an invitation, which depends on CRS cutoffs and program draws.
In short:
For couples, spousal sponsorship is more reliable but slightly slower.
For skilled individuals, Express Entry offers faster outcomes if you’re highly competitive in the points system.
PR Options in Canada: Family vs Economic Pathways
Canada provides multiple PR options, but spousal sponsorship and express entry represent two major categories—family reunification and economic migration.
Spousal Sponsorship Benefits:
Guaranteed pathway for eligible couples.
Keeps families together.
Doesn’t require a high CRS score or economic profile.
Express Entry Benefits:
One of the fastest systems for economic migration.
Applicants can bring spouses and dependents as part of their application.
Ideal for skilled professionals looking to contribute to Canada’s labor market.
The right choice depends on whether family ties or economic qualifications are the primary basis for the application.
Which Is Faster?
When purely considering immigration speed, Express Entry Canada is usually faster, as it often takes six months once the application is submitted after receiving an ITA. However, this doesn’t account for the time spent waiting in the pool before being selected.
Spousal sponsorship in Canada, on the other hand, is a more predictable route for couples but averages closer to 12 months. For families focused on uniting in Canada, the extra wait may be worthwhile for the guaranteed eligibility.
Factors That Affect Processing Times
Several factors can influence whether sponsorship or Express Entry will be faster for you:
1. Eligibility and CRS Score
High CRS scores mean faster invitations under Express Entry.
If your score is low, you may wait months or even years for selection.
2. Backlogs and Office Delays
Global events, staffing shortages, or surges in applications can extend timelines for both programs.
3. Case Complexity
For spousal sponsorship, cases with prior marriages, missing documents, or complicated relationships may take longer.
For Express Entry, incomplete documentation or unclear employment records can cause delays.
Which Pathway Should You Choose?
Choose Spousal Sponsorship if:
You’re married or in a committed relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Family reunification is your top priority.
You may not qualify competitively under the CRS system.
Choose Express Entry if:
You have strong skills, education, and language scores.
You want the fastest route to PR and don’t need to rely on sponsorship.
You are seeking opportunities under Canada’s economic programs.
Both are legitimate PR options in Canada, and in some cases, applicants may even be eligible for both, choosing one pathway based on personal circumstances and goals.
Final Thoughts
The choice between spousal sponsorship in Canada and Express Entry Canada comes down to your priorities and eligibility. If you are in a committed relationship and family unity is the goal, sponsorship is the clear path, even if it takes a bit longer. If you are a skilled worker with a strong profile, Express Entry is typically faster and offers one of the quickest ways to permanent residency in Canada.
Ultimately, both programs reflect Canada’s balanced approach to immigration—valuing both family reunification and skilled labor. By understanding each system’s timelines and requirements, you can choose the path that best matches your situation and long-term plans.
FAQ’s
Q1. Which is faster: spousal sponsorship or Express Entry?
A: Express Entry is typically faster, averaging six months after an Invitation to Apply. Spousal sponsorship takes about 12 months, though it’s more predictable for couples.
Q2. Can a spouse apply for PR through Express Entry?
A: Yes. Applicants in Express Entry can include spouses and dependents in their application, making it a viable family immigration option under economic pathways.
Q3. How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?
A: On average, spousal sponsorship applications take about 12 months to process, although timelines can vary based on case complexity, visa office workload, and application completeness.