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Sponsorship of Spouse, Partner, or Child in Canada

Published on August 15th 2025 by Fairworld Immigration

Sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada is a key pathway for families to reunite and build their lives together. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence through the family class sponsorship program.

To qualify for sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada, sponsors must meet specific financial and eligibility requirements, and both the sponsor and the applicant must prove the genuineness of their relationship. Applications can be submitted from within Canada or abroad, depending on individual circumstances. Successful sponsorship grants permanent resident status, allowing loved ones to live, work, and study in Canada permanently.

Overview of the Sponsorship of Spouse, Partner, or Child in Canada

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may apply for sponsorship of spouse, partner, or dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada.

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Who You Can Sponsor

You may sponsor your:

Definitions for Sponsorship of Spouse, Partner, or Child in Canada

Spouse

Your spouse must:

  • Be legally married to you
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be of any sex

Common-law Partner

Your common-law partner must:

  • Not be legally married to you
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be of any sex
  • Have lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months without long periods of separation

You must provide evidence of your common-law relationship. If either partner ends the relationship, the sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada is considered terminated.

Conjugal Partner

Your conjugal partner must:

  • Not be legally married to you or in a common-law relationship with you
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be of any sex
  • Have been in a relationship with you for at least one year
  • Reside outside Canada and be unable to live with you or marry you in their country due to significant legal or immigration barriers

Examples of such barriers include:

  • Inability to divorce due to local laws
  • Same-sex relationships or marriages not being legally recognized
  • Social or legal persecution due to religion or other factors

You must provide proof that living together or getting married in their country was not possible (e.g., denied long-term visas). This applies to the sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada.

Who You Can Sponsor As Dependent Children

A child may qualify as a dependant if they:

  • Are under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship

Children aged 22 or older may still qualify if they:

  • Are unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition
  • Have relied on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22

These conditions must be maintained throughout the application process for sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada.

As a sponsor, you must:

  • Provide financial support
  • Ensure the sponsored person does not rely on social assistance

Eligibility to Apply for Sponsorship

You may sponsor a spouse, partner, or dependent child if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • If you are a citizen living abroad, you must plan to return to Canada when your sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident
  • Are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
  • Can financially support the person(s) you are sponsoring

For more details about the sponsorship of spouse, partner, or child in Canada, contact Fairworld Immigration Consulting at +1 604 902 6356 or mgn@fairworldimmigration.ca

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