Spousal and partner sponsorship allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or, in limited circumstances, a conjugal partner for permanent residence.
At a glance
- Sponsor eligibility and undertaking
- Legal relationship category and genuine relationship evidence
- In-Canada and family-class processing considerations
- Open work permit options for some sponsored partners in Canada
Relationship category
Marriage, common-law partnership and conjugal partnership have different legal requirements. Common-law partners generally need to establish at least 12 consecutive months of cohabitation, while conjugal sponsorship is a narrower category.
Genuineness and evidence
IRCC considers whether the relationship is genuine and not entered primarily for immigration purposes. Evidence can include communication, visits, cohabitation, financial interdependence, family involvement and explanations for periods of separation.
Sponsor responsibilities
The sponsor signs an undertaking and remains responsible for the sponsored spouse or partner for the applicable undertaking period even if personal circumstances later change.
In-Canada work authorization
Some spouses or partners being sponsored from inside Canada may qualify for an open work permit when the current IRCC requirements are met.
Official government resources
Use these official sources for the current program rules, forms and government instructions.
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