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Spousal Sponsorship in Canada
Every relationship is different.
Your sponsorship strategy should be too.
We begin with a focused consultation to understand your relationship, immigration history, current status, and any potential concerns. From there, we explain the right sponsorship pathway, the evidence you will need, and how to move forward with confidence.
Who Can Sponsor a Spouse or Partner?
To sponsor a spouse or partner for Permanent Residence, the sponsor generally must:
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Be at least 18 years old
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Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act
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Live in Canada, although a Canadian Citizen living abroad may qualify if they can show they plan to return to Canada when their spouse or partner becomes a Permanent Resident
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Agree to financially support the person being sponsored by signing a sponsorship undertaking
In most Spousal and Partner Sponsorship cases, there is no minimum income requirement. However, previous sponsorships, social assistance, outstanding support obligations, certain criminal convictions, bankruptcy, or an existing sponsorship undertaking may affect eligibility.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
A spouse must be legally married to the sponsor, at least 18 years old, in a genuine relationship, and not inadmissible to Canada.
A common-law partner must be at least 18 years old and have lived with the sponsor in a genuine conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, with only short and temporary periods apart.
A conjugal partner may qualify in limited circumstances where the couple has been in a committed relationship for at least one year but cannot marry or live together because of significant legal, immigration, social, cultural, religious, or similar barriers.
Eligibility Is Only the Starting Point
Meeting the basic requirements does not always mean the application will be straightforward. Previous marriages, immigration history, periods of separation, limited relationship evidence, previous sponsorships, status issues, or inadmissibility concerns can affect how an application should be prepared.