Family sponsorship is one of the most common ways to reunite with a loved one in Canada. But the process has many nuances. Here are 10 interesting facts to know if you are planning to apply for sponsorship of a spouse or partner.

1. Who can be sponsored?

You can sponsor for permanent residence (PR) in Canada:

• your spouse with whom you have officially registered your marriage

• Common-law partner - a person with whom you live together in a relationship for at least one year

• Conjugal partner - if you cannot legally marry or live together (e.g. legal or cultural barriers)

2. Is it possible to include children?

Yes, you can include not only your partner in your application, but also his/her dependents (and in some cases their children).

3. No status in Canada? No problem

Even if your partner does not have legal status in Canada, you can still apply for sponsorship.

4. Engagement is not enough

If you are only engaged, you are not yet eligible to apply. You must be legally married to sponsor a partner. However, if you have already lived together for more than 12 months, you can apply for sponsorship as common-law partners.

5. What if you are married to another person?

Is it possible to sponsor a common-law partner while being officially married to another? In some cases it is possible, if it can be proven that the previous marriage has broken up.

6. Open Work Permit for a Sponsored

If your partner is already in Canada and living with you, he/she may be able to obtain an Open Work Permit while their PR application is being processed.

7. Financial requirements for the sponsor

There is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or partner. However, you must show that you can provide for the basic needs of your family in Canada.

8. Sponsorship after permanent residence

If you have previously been sponsored as a spouse/partner, you can only sponsor your new partner 5 years after you have received your PR.

9. Financial undertaking

The sponsor is bound to financial undertaking of his partner for 3 years from the moment permanent residence is received. The obligation remains even in the event of divorce, relocation or loss of job.

10. New sponsorship - not earlier than in 3 years

If you have already sponsored someone before, you will be able to apply for sponsorship of a new partner only after 3 years (when the previous financial undertaking ends).

Need help applying for sponsorship? Contact us.

"Important: Immigration requirements are constantly changing. The information on this page is current at the time of publication."