Canadian citizens and PRs can sponsor their spouses, common-law partners and their dependant children to become PRs in Canada.

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To be eligible to sponsor a spouse/common-law partner the sponsor must fulfill the following requirements:

1. At least 18 years old

2. Live or plan to live in Canada(depends on the situation)

3. Not in receipt of social assistance for reasons other than a disability

4. Able to provide basic needs for sponsor and sponsored

 

Interesting fact(!) There is usually no income requirements.

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The process for sponsoring spouse and common-law partners are slightly different. The main difference is with the proof of relationship.

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For information:https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5289-sponsor-your-spouse-common-law-partner-conjugal-partner-dependent-child-complete-guide.html#before

 

There are 3 main categories for spousal sponsorship:

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Married - You can sponsor the person as your spouse if your marriage is a legally valid civil marriage.

 

Opposite and same-gender marriages, will be recognized for immigration purposes, where the marriage:

1. was legally performed in Canada, or

2. if performed outside of Canada, the marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it took place and in Canada.

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Common-law relationship - You can sponsor the person as your common-law partner (same or opposite gender) as long as you’ve been living or have lived with your partner for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.

 

Conjugal relationship

A conjugal partner is:

• a person who is living outside Canada,

• in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor for at least one year, and

• could not live with the sponsor as a couple because of reasons beyond their control (e.g. immigration barrier, religious reasons or sexual orientation).

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This term applies to both opposite and same-gender couples.

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More details about spousal sponsorship on the following pages: