Sponsorship

Any Canadian or permanent citizens can become sponsors as long they meet the following requirements:

– Be at least 18 years of age.

– Be living in Canada or have the intent of living in Canada once the spouse obtains Canadian residency.

– Not be receiving non-disability related social assistance.

– Be able to provide the basic needs of the sponsored individual.

– Not have a criminal record related to sexual assault, or domestic violence, abroad or in Canada.

– Not be in bankruptcy.  

There are three different streams to spousal sponsorship, married couples, common-law partners, and conjugal partners.

Married Copules of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their spouse as long as they are legally married and that both spouses are at least 18 years old.

Common-law partnerships are eligible for spousal sponsorship if they have been living together for at least 12 consecutive months, with time apart being short and temporary. You will need to provide proof of your relationship and that you live together such as a joint lease.

Conjugal partnerships are eligible for spousal sponsorship if they are both over 18 years old, have been in a relationship for at least 1 year, and the sponsored spouse lives outside of Canada. Also, the conjugal partners must prove that they cannot live together or get married due to significant legal and immigration reasons.

It is also possible to include a dependent child under 22 years old to your spousal sponsorship application if they are single. They are special circumstances when children 22 years old or older could be included in the application.