Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents who are at least 18 years old can sponsor close relatives to immigrate to Canada. If you are sponsoring your spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children, you do not need to meet minimum income requirements.

For spouses, common law partners, and conjugal partners, you must prove that the relationship is genuine, and not entered into primarily for the purposes of immigration. Besides a marriage certificate, or evidence of cohabitation for at least one year, you may be required to provide evidence such as pictures, letters, telephone bills, and emails to prove your relationship is real.

When sponsoring your spouse or partner to immigrate, you must undertake to support him or her for basic life necessities, for at least three years (for spouses and common law partners), and ten years or more for children. This undertaking will continue, regardless of whether you stay together or get divorced.

If your spouse or partner is already in Canada, you may have the option of an “In Canada” sponsorship, as well as the “Overseas” sponsorship. Each process has its pros and cons, and every case must be carefully analyzed to determine which procedure is best.

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Pathways to Permanent Residency:

Emigration is the most important event in your life.
It's too important to go it alone.

Immigration law is complex and constantly changing. It's important to retain a professional advisor who monitors legal developments on a full-time basis.

You need an advocate to protect your rights during the process;
don't go it alone.

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