Spousal/Common-Law Visa


Spousal/Common-Law Visa

Who can become a sponsor

You can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child to immigrate to Canada if:

 


Federal Income Table, 2016

 

You can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child to immigrate to Canada if:

 

Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)


Federal Income Table, 2016

 

You cannot be sponsored as a spouse, a common-law partner or a conjugal partner if:

 

In addition, you must meet all criteria for the category under which you applied. See the FAQ section for more information.


Five-year sponsorship bar for people who were sponsored to come to Canada as a spouse or partner

If a spouse or partner sponsored you, you cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner within five years of becoming a permanent resident.

 

This rule applies even if you got your Canadian citizenship within those five years. Other members of the Family Class will not be affected by the rule change


Spouses and partners sponsored before


Spouse

You are a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is legal.

 

If you were married in Canada:

 

If you were married outside Canada


Common-law partner

You are a common-law partner—either of the opposite sex or the same sex—if:

 

You will need proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together. This can be in the form of proof of: