Under the Common-Law Partner visa, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are living in Canada can apply to sponsor their common-law partner and eligible dependent children. This visa allows applicants who have been residing with their qualifying Canadian partners for a period of 1 year or more in an ongoing relationship the opportunity to be sponsored. Applicants and their partner need to be in a genuine and continuing relationship and intend to live together in Canada.
The Canadian partner must be willing to live in Canada with the applicant once the visa is granted, and must be capable of supporting the applicant without accessing public funds. Once granted, the common-law partner will be given permanent residence and the right to join their sponsoring partner in Canada.
