Sponsoring a spouse or partner

Overview

Sponsoring a spouse or partner

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor an eligible spouse or partner for permanent residence. The couple must prove both the legal relationship category and that the relationship is genuine rather than primarily for immigration.

Choose the legal relationship category

Spouses must be legally married. Common-law partners generally must prove at least 12 continuous months of cohabitation; conjugal sponsorship is a narrow overseas category for partners unable to marry or live together because of serious barriers.

Engagement, dating length or a shared child does not replace the definition.

Check the sponsor and applicant

Sponsors generally must be at least 18, be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act, and meet residence and undertaking rules. Social-assistance, default, offence and prior-sponsorship restrictions can apply.

The applicant and declared family members face medical, background and admissibility screening.

Build evidence around the real history

Use records of cohabitation, communication, visits, finances, family knowledge and shared responsibilities. Select evidence that explains how the relationship developed rather than uploading repetitive photographs.

Address cultural differences, prior marriages, long separation or limited documentation directly.

Understand the undertaking

The sponsor promises financial support for the prescribed period even if the relationship ends. Government assistance paid during the undertaking can become a debt.

Sponsorship does not give the sponsor ownership of the applicant’s immigration status or excuse abuse.