A Guide to Prove Common-Law Partnership for Canadian Sponsorship

When you sponsor your common-law partner for permanent residence in Canada, you must prove that your relationship is genuine.

Suppose you have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. In that case, you can usually satisfy this requirement by providing copies of documents that show that you share a home and financial responsibilities.

However, suppose you have not been living together for at least one year or cannot provide the required documents. In that case, you may still be able to sponsor your partner if you can provide other evidence that your relationship is genuine.

IRCC Guidelines

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) defines a common-law relationship as one in which two people have lived together for at least one year in a conjugal relationship.

A conjugal relationship is a marriage-like relationship with some degree of permanency, exclusivity, and sexual intercourse.

To be eligible to sponsor your common-law partner, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and be 18 years of age or older. You must also meet certain income requirements and sign an undertaking to support your partner financially.

Suppose you have been living together for at least one year. In that case, you can usually satisfy this requirement by providing copies of documents that show that you share a home and financial responsibilities.

Documents Required for Sponsorship Application

Documents that you can use to show that you share a home include:

• Lease or mortgage agreement in both of your names
• Joint bank account statements
• Utility bills in both of your names
• Policies in both of your names for insurance.

Documents that you can use to show that you share financial responsibilities include:

• Joint credit card statements
• Joint tax returns
• Pay stubs or other evidence of joint financial contributions to household expenses

The IRCC will consider several factors in determining whether your relationship is genuine, including but not limited to:

• The length of time you have known each other
• The nature and frequency of your contact with each other
• Whether you have been living together in a conjugal relationship
• If you have joint assets or financial responsibilities
• Whether you have children together

If you cannot provide evidence that your relationship is genuine, the IRCC may refuse your sponsorship application.