Spouse/Common-Law/Conjugal Partner and Child Sponsorship

For citizens or permanent residents who want to bring their relatives to Canada, the country offers various family sponsorship pathways. Family sponsorship programs, one of the most trusted immigration routes to Canada, allow citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children to the country with streamlined processing.

Eligibility to Sponsor a Family Member

• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• At least 18 years old
• Intent to live in Canada, or plan to return to Canada once the sponsored person becomes a PR
• Be able to provide for the financial support and basic needs of family members, signing an undertaking of 3 years for a spouse/partner and up to 10 years for a dependent child depending on their age.

Whom Can I Sponsor? Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner

Under the family sponsorship program, whether your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is residing abroad (Outland) or inside Canada (Inland) on a valid temporary visa, you may be able to sponsor them for Canadian permanent residency. Inland applicants are also eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), which enables couples to lessen some of their financial obligations while the application is in progress.

If you and your partner are not wed but have cohabited continuously in a conjugal relationship for at least one year, you may be qualified to apply for common-law sponsorship, as Canada fully recognizes common-law partnerships. Conjugal partnerships apply to those outside Canada who have been in a committed relationship for at least a year but could not cohabit or marry due to legal or immigration barriers.

The process of sponsoring a spouse or partner requires careful legal compliance. Even though there is no point-based award system and neither your career history nor your language proficiency is being evaluated, the IRCC visa officer thoroughly evaluates your relationship to ensure that it is genuine and was not entered into primarily for gaining status in Canada. It is critical that you prepare and submit a robust, evidentiary application to convince the department of your relationship’s authenticity.

Applications involving complex cross-border documentation or unique cultural backgrounds often invite extra scrutiny from immigration officials, making professional legal oversight invaluable.

Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship

You can choose to list your children as accompanying dependents on your application for permanent residency if you’re moving to Canada, provided they are not married and do not have children of their own. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence in Canada. If a child above the age of 22 has a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible for them to support themselves and has relied on their parents for financial support since before turning 22, that child may still be deemed a dependent.

Let us help you reunite with your loved ones through our Family Class sponsorship programs led by RCIC Eivy Joy Quito. Contact us for any information you need. You can also read our blogs to find out more about Canada Immigration.