This category allows overseas nationals to seek to enter or remain in Canada with a view to settlement as the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada, 18 years of age or older, may sponsor their spouse, who is 16 years of age or older who intend to become permanent residents of Canada.

Sponsors must make a promise to support their spouse for a period of 3 years to help them settle in Canada .

Applicants in this category must demonstrate that they have contracted into a valid marriage to a person present and settled in Canada, that the marriage is subsisting and that each of the parties has the intention to live permanently with the other as his or her spouse. Applicants must also demonstrate that they will be able to support and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds.

In cases where couples have been living together for a period of at least 1 year prior to applying, but are not married, they are considered to be common-law partners.

Spouse in Canada  Class

An applicant may also sponsor a spouse from within Canada if they have been living together in Canada and their legal temporary status has been maintained at the time of the application. When sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner, the applicant may also include their dependent children whether inside or outside of Canada.