Spousal, Common-law, or Conjugal Sponsorship Canada
Spousal, Common-Law & Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible persons registered under the Indian Act may be able to sponsor a spouse or partner for permanent residence if both the sponsor and the relationship meet IRCC requirements.
Watch: Spousal Sponsorship — overview
Spouse
You are legally married, both partners are at least 18, and the relationship is genuine—not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
Common-Law Partner
You are not legally married and have lived together continuously in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, apart from short temporary absences.
Conjugal Partner
Your partner lives outside Canada, you have been in an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship for at least one year, and serious legal, immigration, social, cultural or similar barriers prevent marriage or cohabitation.
Who Can Sponsor?
- At least 18 years old.
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
- Permanent residents must live in Canada.
- Canadian citizens living abroad must show they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
- Must sign the sponsorship agreement and undertaking.
- Must not be subject to a sponsorship bar or another applicable ineligibility rule.
Inside Canada or Family Class?
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class: may be appropriate where the eligible spouse/partner is living with the sponsor in Canada.
- Family Class: commonly used when the sponsored spouse or partner is outside Canada; conjugal partners use the Family Class.
- Applicants in Canada may separately qualify for a spousal open work permit under current IRCC rules.
Current Government Fees
$1,260spouse/partner sponsorship starting fee including right of permanent residence fee
$180current fee for each accompanying dependent child
Extra if requiredbiometrics, medical exam, police certificates and other third-party costs
Income: in most spouse/partner sponsorship cases there is no minimum income threshold, but the sponsor must undertake to provide basic support. A specific income test can apply when certain dependent children have dependent children of their own.
Undertaking: for a sponsored spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, the sponsor is financially responsible for 3 years after the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Separation, divorce or citizenship does not cancel the undertaking.
Relationship Evidence
IRCC assesses whether the relationship is genuine. Evidence can include marriage/common-law documents, shared residence or finances, communication, travel, photographs and other proof appropriate to the couple's circumstances.
Admissibility & Documents
The sponsored person and applicable family members must complete required immigration forms and may need medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics and background/security checks.
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