Common-Law Sponsorship Canada 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

The Common-Law Sponsorship program in Canada lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their common-law partner for permanent residency. This pathway ensures couples who are not legally married, but who have built a genuine, committed life together, can live and thrive in Canada.

Who Qualifies as a Common-Law Partner?

• You and your partner have lived together continuously for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.
• The relationship is genuine and not primarily for immigration purposes.
• This applies to both opposite- and same-sex couples.

Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
• If you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must show intent to return to Canada once your partner becomes a permanent resident.
• Cannot be a permanent resident living outside Canada.
• Not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
• Not in default of a previous sponsorship, immigration loan, or court-ordered child/spousal support.
• Must be able to financially support your partner for 3 years after they become a permanent resident.

Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsored Partner

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada (for reasons such as serious criminality, security risks, or certain health conditions).
• Must pass medical, criminal, and background checks.
• Relationship must be genuine, established through continuous cohabitation and shared responsibilities.

Documents Needed to Prove a Common-Law Relationship

• Proof of joint address (leases, utility bills, mail addressed to both partners, etc.).
• Evidence of financial interdependence (joint bank accounts, shared expenses, insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries).
• Photos, travel records, correspondence, affidavits from friends and family confirming your common-law relationship.
• Any other documentation showing a public presentation of your relationship (shared memberships, social media evidence, etc.).

How to Apply: Application Process (2025)

1. Gather Documents: Ensure you collect the required proofs of relationship, identity documents, and financial information.
2. Complete the Application Package: Use the latest digital forms from the IRCC portal dedicated to spouse/common-law sponsorship applications.
3. Pay Fees: Includes a sponsorship fee, processing fee, and right of permanent residence fee (paid online).
4. Submit Application: File your full application online through the IRCC portal. Double-check for completeness, as missing items cause delays.
5. Medical Exam & Biometrics: The sponsored partner must complete an immigration medical exam and provide biometrics if required.
6. Wait for Processing: Most applications process within 12 months. Regularly check your IRCC account for updates and requests for more information.

Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship

• Inland: The partner is already living in Canada (with or without valid status). May be eligible for an open work permit during processing.
• Outland: The partner lives outside Canada. This route also allows travel in and out of Canada while the application is processed.

Undertaking and Obligations

• The sponsor commits to financially support the partner for three years after they become a permanent resident—regardless of changes in the relationship.
• If the sponsored person receives social assistance during this period, the sponsor must repay the government.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do we have to be married? No, but you must provide strong evidence you have lived together in a marital relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
• Can same-sex couples apply? Yes, the program applies equally to both opposite- and same-sex couples.
• How long does the process take? Typical processing time is around 12 months, but this can vary depending on the application’s completeness and country of origin.
• What if my partner has children? Dependent children can be included in the sponsorship application if they meet eligibility criteria.

Why Choose Common-Law Sponsorship?

• Reunites couples and families, offering permanent residency benefits and a clear path to Canadian citizenship.
• No minimum income requirement for sponsoring a partner (except in cases with dependent children who have their own dependents).
• Allows couples in genuine, committed relationships to build their life together in Canada.