Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

## Sponsor your common-law partner Your common-law partner * is not legally married to you * is at least 18 years old * can be any gender * is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status * has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months, meaning * you’ve lived together continuously for 1 year in a conjugal relationship, without any long periods apart * any time spent away from each other during the 12-month period should have been short and temporary (for example, for family obligations or business travel) * must not be inadmissible to Canada If either you or your common-law partner chooses to end the relationship, we consider the relationship to be over. See your document checklist†www.ircc.canada.ca for documents you can submit to prove you’re in a common-law relationship. ## Sponsor your conjugal partner

You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child if you Who can sponsor * [Input] are at least 18 years old * [Input] are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act†laws-lois.justice.gc.ca * [Input] live in Canada * If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. * If you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada, you can’t sponsor. * [Input] commit to supporting the people you’re sponsoring by signing an undertaking and sponsorship agreement * [Input] meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act†laws.justice.gc.ca and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations†laws-lois.justice.gc.ca ### Income requirement In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child. You only need to show that you have enough money to meet the income requirement if * you’re sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own * you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own The Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283) explains how much money you’ll need and how to fill out the form. ### If you live in Quebec You must meet the following requirements: * Quebec’s eligibility requirements for * sponsoring your spouse or partner†www.quebec.ca , or * sponsoring your dependent child†www.quebec.ca * Quebec’s income requirements†www.quebec.ca , if this applies You must also sign an undertaking with the Government of Quebec. Don’t submit your undertaking application to Quebec until we tell you to do so. If you don’t wait for our confirmation, Quebec won’t process your application.

## Who can’t sponsor You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if you * were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago * signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored and it hasn’t been 3 years since they became a permanent resident * This means you’re still financially responsible for them. You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child if you * have already applied to sponsor the same spouse, partner or child and a decision on that application hasn’t been made yet * are in jail, prison or a penitentiary * are behind on payments for * an immigration loan * a performance bond * court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner†www.quebec.ca or child†www.quebec.ca in Quebec) * did not give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner†www.quebec.ca or child†www.quebec.ca in Quebec) * declared bankruptcy and are not discharged†www.ic.gc.ca (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner†www.quebec.ca or child†www.quebec.ca in Quebec) * are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability * were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm or a sexual offence within or outside Canada * can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a removal order†www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca There may be other reasons that make you ineligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child. If we determine you’re not eligible to sponsor, we’ll tell you why.

To show that you are in a common-law relationship, submit proof that you: * share the same home, * support each other financially and emotionally, * have children together, if applicable, * present yourselves in public as a couple.

## Sponsor your common-law partner Your common-law partner * is not legally married to you * is at least 18 years old * can be any gender * is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status * has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months, meaning * you’ve lived together continuously for 1 year in a conjugal relationship, without any long periods apart * any time spent away from each other during the 12-month period should have been short and temporary (for example, for family obligations or business travel) * must not be inadmissible to Canada If either you or your common-law partner chooses to end the relationship, we consider the relationship to be over. See your document checklist†www.ircc.canada.ca for documents you can submit to prove you’re in a common-law relationship. ## Sponsor your conjugal partner

### Proof of identity documents * Proof of identity is an important part of an application to become a permanent resident: * Carefully review the checklist sections on identity documents, travel documents, and passports. * Make sure you submit a copy of your birth certificate, and (if you have included dependants in your application) the birth certificates of your family members. * We will return the application to you if you don’t provide all the documents requested. * If you are unable to submit a document, you must include a detailed explanation of why you are unable to submit this document so that your application is not automatically returned to you. ### Original documents

### Translation of documents Image You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French: * the English or French translation; and * an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator ). Translations may be done by: * a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French, and the unofficial language); or * a Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada). If the translation isn’t done by a Canadian certified translator, the person who completed the translation must provide an affidavit swearing to their language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation. The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of: In Canada: * a notary public ; * a commissioner of oaths ; or * a commissioner of taking affidavits . Authority to certify varies by province and territory. Consult your local provincial or territorial authorities. Outside of Canada: * a notary public Authority to administer oaths varies by country. Consult your local authorities. Image Important information: Translations must not be done by the applicants themselves nor by members of the applicant’s family.

## If you didn’t previously declare a family member in your permanent residence application The temporary public policy allowing certain undeclared family members to be sponsored ended on September 10, 2026. * We’ll continue to apply the public policy to eligible applications we received between May 31, 2019 and September 10, 2026. * Find out if your family member was eligible for sponsorship under the public policy . * The public policy doesn’t apply to applications submitted after September 10, 2026. Previously undeclared family members are not eligible for family sponsorship.

## The undertaking In the undertaking, you’ll commit to * financially supporting the people you’re sponsoring for a period of time , called the undertaking period * making sure the people you’re sponsoring won’t need to ask the government for social assistance * If they receive social assistance during the time you’re responsible for them, you’ll have to repay the amount. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid it. ### How long you have to support someone The undertaking period begins once the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. Its length depends on who you’re sponsoring. Person you’re sponsoring | Length of undertaking period for all provinces except Quebec^{Footnote 1 } --- | --- Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years Dependent child 22 years of age and older^{Footnote 2 } | 3 years Dependent child under 22 years of age^{Footnote 2 } | 10 years or until the child becomes 25 years of age, whichever comes first Once your sponsored family members become permanent residents, there is no way to cancel or shorten the undertaking period. You’re responsible for them for the entire undertaking period, even if * the people you’re sponsoring become Canadian citizens * your relationship with the people you’re sponsoring changes * you or the people you’re sponsoring move to another province or country * you have financial problems (for example, job loss or debt) * you sent us a request to withdraw your sponsorship application and we processed it after the people you’re sponsoring became permanent residents You can only request to withdraw your sponsorship application before the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. ## The sponsorship agreement You and the people you’re sponsoring must agree to certain responsibilities during the undertaking period. We call this the sponsorship agreement. You’ll agree to provide for the basic needs of the people you’re sponsoring. This includes * food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living * dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services The person you’re sponsoring will agree to make every reasonable effort to support themselves and their accompanying family members. Exception: Dependent children under 22 years old don’t sign the sponsorship agreement. ## Footnotes

Footnote 2 } | 3 years Dependent child under 22 years of age^{Footnote 2 } | 10 years or until the child becomes 25 years of age, whichever comes first Once your sponsored family members become permanent residents, there is no way to cancel or shorten the undertaking period. You’re responsible for them for the entire undertaking period, even if * the people you’re sponsoring become Canadian citizens * your relationship with the people you’re sponsoring changes * you or the people you’re sponsoring move to another province or country * you have financial problems (for example, job loss or debt) * you sent us a request to withdraw your sponsorship application and we processed it after the people you’re sponsoring became permanent residents You can only request to withdraw your sponsorship application before the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. ## The sponsorship agreement You and the people you’re sponsoring must agree to certain responsibilities during the undertaking period. We call this the sponsorship agreement. You’ll agree to provide for the basic needs of the people you’re sponsoring. This includes * food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living * dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services The person you’re sponsoring will agree to make every reasonable effort to support themselves and their accompanying family members. Exception: Dependent children under 22 years old don’t sign the sponsorship agreement. ## Footnotes Footnote 1 The undertaking period is different for residents of Quebec. Learn about * Quebec’s undertaking period for sponsoring your spouse or partner†www.quebec.ca * Quebec’s undertaking period for sponsoring your dependent child†www.quebec.ca Return to footnote 1 referrer Footnote 2 The age of the person you’re sponsoring on the date they become a permanent resident

### Income requirement In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child. You only need to show that you have enough money to meet the income requirement if * you’re sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own * you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own The Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283) explains how much money you’ll need and how to fill out the form. ### If you live in Quebec

### Durée de l’engagement Lorsque vous parrainez une épouse ou un époux, une conjointe ou un conjoint de fait, ou un partenaire conjugal, la durée de votre engagement est de trois ans. Si la personne que vous parrainez est accompagnée d’un enfant à charge, la durée de votre engagement envers cet enfant varie selon son âge : Enfant de moins de 16 ans Minimum 10 ans, ou jusqu’à l’âge de 18 ans. La plus longue des deux périodes est retenue. Enfant de 16 ans ou plus Minimum 3 ans, ou jusqu’à l’âge de 25 ans.La plus longue des deux périodes est retenue. Vous ne pouvez pas mettre fin à un engagement une fois que la personne que vous parrainez a obtenu un visa de résidence permanente ou une confirmation de résidence permanente. Vous devez respecter votre engagement pour toute sa durée, peu importe les circonstances, par exemple même si : * Votre situation financière se détériore; * Vous vivez une séparation ou un divorce; * La personne que vous parrainez obtient la citoyenneté canadienne; * Vous ou la personne parrainée déménagez dans une autre province. ### Vos responsabilités envers la personne parrainée Vous avez des obligations envers la personne que vous parrainez et les membres de sa famille qui l’accompagnent. Vos obligations prennent effet dès qu’ils obtiennent la résidence permanente. #### Obligations financières Si la personne que vous parrainez est dans l’incapacité de payer pour ses besoins essentiels et ceux des membres de sa famille qui l’accompagnent, vous devez subvenir à leurs besoins essentiels. Cette obligation s’applique pour toute la durée de votre engagement. Les coûts pour subvenir aux besoins essentiels des personnes parrainées comprennent, entre autres : ##### Coûts d’installation et d’établissement au Québec Vous devez assumer les frais pour leur : * Logement; * Ameublement; * Déplacement; * Nourriture; * Habillement. ##### Coûts relatifs à la santé Vous devez assumer les frais non couverts ou non remboursés par un régime public d’assurance pour leurs : * Soins et services de santé; * Médicaments. ##### Coûts relatifs à l’insertion en emploi Vous devez assumer les frais non couverts par un programme gouvernemental pour la préparation et les démarches de recherche d’emploi ou d’insertion en emploi des personnes que vous parrainez. Conséquences si vous ne respectez pas vos obligations financières Vous devrez rembourser toutes les sommes si la personne que vous parrainez ou un membre de sa famille qui l’accompagne reçoit, pendant votre engagement, de l’aide gouvernementale sous forme : * D’aide financière de dernier recours (aide sociale); * De prestations spéciales, par exemple des lunettes, des traitements dentaires, des appareils auditifs; * D’hébergement, par exemple, dans un centre d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée public (CHSLD). #### Accompagnement dans les démarches d’intégration Vous vous engagez à fournir l’accompagnement nécessaire à la personne que vous parrainez et aux membres de sa famille dans leurs démarches d’intégration. Cela inclut de l’aide pour : * Apprendre le français ou s’inscrire à des cours de français; * Inscrire les enfants à l’école; * Accéder aux services publics; * Chercher un emploi ou faire des démarches de reconnaissance des études hors Québec; * Participer à la vie collective au Québec. Si la personne que vous parrainez et les membres de sa famille qui l’accompagnent sont âgés de 18 à 55 ans, vous devez remplir et signer un plan d’accueil et d’intégration à la section 9 du formulaire de demande d’engagement (PDF 678 Ko)†cdn-contenu.quebec.ca (nouvelle exigence depuis le 23 novembre 2023). Dans ce plan d’accueil et d’intégration, vous devez indiquer les actions que vous vous engagez à poser pour aider les personnes parrainées de 18 à 55 ans dans leurs démarches d’établissement et d’intégration au Québec. Pour plus d’information sur les démarches d’accueil et d’intégration, consultez la page Accueil et intégration de la personne que vous parrainez . ### Responsabilités de la personne parrainée envers vous

To sponsor your spouse, partner or child, there are 2 applications: 1. Sponsorship application: You apply to become a sponsor. 2. Permanent residence application: Your spouse, partner or child applies for permanent residence. The principal applicant (the person you’re sponsoring) will submit both applications together online using the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. Apply through the PR Portal Request an alternate format (braille, large print or paper) If you or your representative can’t apply online and require accommodations, including for a disability, you may ask for the application package in one of these alternate formats:

## 2. Get your forms and documents ready See your application package for * the document checklist for you and the people you’re sponsoring * all the forms you and the people you’re sponsoring need to fill out * country-specific forms and instructions based on where the people you’re sponsoring live Get your application package†ircc.canada.ca ### Photo specifications The principal applicant and their accompanying family members each need to give 1 photo. Follow the instructions in the online application to scan and upload both sides of the photo. ## 3. Pay your application fees Fees to sponsor a spouse or partner: from [Error loading fee. Check the fee list†ircc.canada.ca .] Fees to sponsor a child: from [Error loading fee. Check the fee list†ircc.canada.ca .] You have to pay your fees online†eservices.cic.gc.ca (opens in a new tab) and include the receipt with your application. The instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you. Processing fees | You need to pay processing fees for you, the people you’re sponsoring and their dependants. Right of permanent residence fee | You need to pay the right of permanent residence fee†www.ircc.canada.ca before the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. Biometrics fee | In most cases, you’ll pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. If you don’t, your application may be delayed. This fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Other fees | Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for * a medical exam * a police certificate If you live in Quebec You need to pay fees for * sponsoring your spouse or partner in Quebec†www.quebec.ca * sponsoring your dependent child in Quebec†www.quebec.ca ## 4. Submit the completed application

## What permanent residents can do As a PR, you * get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including a social insurance number to work in Canada, and health care coverage (check your provincial website for more information) * can live, work or study anywhere in Canada * can apply for Canadian citizenship * get protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms * must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels ## What permanent residents cannot do

## Time lived in Canada To keep your PR status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need. * Find out if your time outside Canada counts toward your 730 days†www.ircc.canada.ca . * Track your time in Canada with our travel journal . ## Losing your permanent resident status You won’t lose your PR status when your PR card expires. You will only lose your PR status if * an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal * you voluntarily renounce your PR status * a removal order made against you comes into force * you become a Canadian citizen Even if you don't meet the residency obligation, you will stay a PR until an official decision is made on your status.

### Choose the class of application * If you’re sponsoring your conjugal partner or dependent child, you must submit an application under the Family Class. These applications are processed outside Canada. * If you’re sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner, you may sponsor them under the Family Class or under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class . * When you sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, you must specify the “Class of Application” on the checklist you’ll submit. Apply under the Family Class if: * the person you want to sponsor lives outside Canada * the person you want to sponsor currently lives with you in Canada but doesn’t plan to stay in Canada while the application is being processed * you plan to appeal if the application is refused * you’re sponsoring your conjugal partner or dependent child Apply under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class if your spouse or common-law partner: * lives with you in Canada * has valid temporary resident status in Canada, or is exempt from needing this status under a public policy For more detailed information about the requirements for these classes

From July 2, 2026 to June 30, 2028, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) (Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration) will be able to receive a maximum of 15,700 undertaking applications to sponsor a family member, divided as follows: * A maximum of 13,300 undertaking applications by a sponsor for their spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner; * A maximum of 2,400 undertaking applications by a sponsor for their father, mother, grandfather, grandmother or other relative listed on this page . For each of the above categories, if the maximum number of undertaking applications to be received is reached before June 30, 2028, the Ministry will not be able to receive any further applications in this category through the remainder of the intake period. In this case: * All applications received after the maximum number of applications has been reached will be returned, without being processed, and no processing fee will be charged; * If a sponsor’s application is returned, a new application may be submitted when another intake period opens. ## Application Intake Schedule To prioritize people who have been waiting to submit an undertaking application the longest, an application intake schedule has been created based on the date of issue of either of the following documents: * The sponsor eligibility letter issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); * IRCC’s acknowledgment of receipt for applications to sponsor a person in the “Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada” class. See the box below for details on the cases concerned by the acknowledgment of receipt. See the table below to find out when you can submit your undertaking application: You can submit your application as of: | If your IRCC eligibility letter or acknowledgment of receipt is dated no later than: --- | --- July 2, 2026 | July 31, 2024 September 1st, 2026 | January 31, 2025 November 1st, 2026 | June 30, 2025 January 1st, 2027 | August 31, 2025 March 1st, 2027 | October 31, 2025 May 1st, 2027 | November 30, 2025 July 1st, 2027 | December 31, 2025 September 1st, 2027 | February 28, 2026 November 1st, 2027 | May 31, 2026 January 1st, 2028 | August 31, 2026 March 1st, 2028 | December 31, 2026 May 1st, 2028 | May 27, 2027 IMPORTANT: Applications sent before the date on which they may be received per the above schedule will be inadmissible and returned to the sponsors. ## Exemptions If the sponsorship application concerns one of the people below, the above rules, including the application intake schedule, do not apply and the application may be received at any time: * The sponsor’s dependent child (child under 22 years of age or child 22 years of age or older who depends on either of his or her parents because of his or her physical or mental condition); * A minor child the person wishes to adopt; * An orphaned minor child who is their brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandson or granddaughter; * Their dependent child who has reached the age of majority and is dependent on either parent because of his or her physical or mental condition. These people must not be married or in a common-law relationship. Applications to add a dependant (dependent child, spouse, common-law partner) of the sponsored person already concerned by an undertaking application or by a confirmed undertaking and who is awaiting admission as a permanent resident are also exempt from the limit and application intake schedule. ## Application Admissibility Rules To be admissible, an undertaking application must meet the following rules: * It must be submitted using the forms available at Québec.ca (“Submitting an undertaking application” page) and include all required documents, such as IRCC’s sponsorship eligibility letter or IRCC’s acknowledgment of receipt for applications to sponsor a person in the “Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada” class (see details below). See Part 2 of the undertaking application form (PDF 678 Kb)†cdn-contenu.quebec.ca (in French only) for the list of required documents; * It must be sent, by mail only, to the address mentioned on the “Submitting an undertaking application” page. Applications may not be submitted in person at a MIFI office; * Do not submit more than one application per envelope. Please note: Any application deemed inadmissible will be returned to the sponsor without being processed. You can attach IRCC’s acknowledgment of receipt rather than the sponsorship eligibility letter to your undertaking application only if the acknowledgment of receipt: * Indicates that your application is in the “Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada” class. This category is reserved for spouses or common-law partners who are already living together in Canada at the time they submit their application to IRCC; * Is addressed to you (sponsor) and not to the person you wish to sponsor. If your acknowledgment of receipt meets both of these conditions, the date of issue of this document determines the earliest date from which you can submit your application to the MIFI. You must therefore attach this acknowledgment of receipt to your application. If you have also received an IRCC eligibility letter, you may include it in your undertaking application, but it is the acknowledgment of receipt that will be used to determine the admissibility of your application.