In today’s world of increased globalization, spring break vacations to Mexico, and online dating, an increasing number of relationships are occurring that span borders.
Under the spousal sponsorship category, a Canadian may sponsor a spouse for permanent residence in Canada. The definition of spouse includes a married spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, and same-sex partner.
A common-law relationship is a marriage-relationship where two people have been cohabiting for a period of at least one year.
A conjugal partner is someone who would ideally be in a common-law relationship, but cannot live together because of legal or social barriers.
Not all relationships are eligible, however, including:
- Relationships where someone is under the age of sixteen;
- The sponsor is already sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, and the undertaking has not ended;
- The sponsor is already a spouse to someone else;
- The applicant or the spouse is the common-law or conjugal partner of another person;
- The applicant was a non-accompanying family member of the sponsor and was not examined when the sponsor previously applied to Canada as a permanent resident; or
- The relationship is one of convenience – ie, it was entered into for the purpose of immigrating to Canada.
Our Services
We have extensive experience in this category, and can help you submit what we refer to as a “scrap book” application, whereby your relationship is thoroughly documented, and there should be no doubt in the visa officer’s mind that your relationship is genuine, and that no ineligibility exists.