Sponsoring a spouse or partner: relationships and evidence
How officers assess genuine relationships, the evidence that helps, and the difference between married and common-law applications.
- The sponsor and the applicant both need to meet eligibility rules.
- Evidence should show a genuine, continuing relationship rather than a single big gesture.
- Common-law partners normally need 12 months of continuous cohabitation.
- Explain gaps or unusual circumstances instead of leaving the officer to guess.
Married or common-law
Spousal sponsorship covers a married spouse or a common-law partner. A common-law relationship generally requires at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation in a conjugal relationship.
A conjugal partner category exists in limited circumstances where marriage or cohabitation is not possible. It has a higher evidentiary threshold and does not fit couples who simply choose to live apart.
Evidence of a genuine relationship
Officers look for a relationship that is genuine and continuing. Strong evidence is usually varied and consistent over time: messages, photographs, travel, shared finances, leases, insurance, family events and communications with each other's families.
Quality matters more than volume. A hundred screenshots of the same conversation are less persuasive than a clear timeline showing how the relationship developed and how you support each other.
Sponsor eligibility
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, meet the age requirement and be able to support the sponsored person. There are restrictions for people who are themselves sponsored, in receipt of social assistance or subject to certain orders.
If the sponsor lives outside Canada, they generally must intend to return to Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Provide evidence of the plan to re-establish in Canada.