To sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian permanent residence (PR), you must prove to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that your relationship is genuine and not only for immigration purposes.
The immigration officer reviewing your application must be convinced that your relationship is real, ongoing, and based on commitment. This applies to all sponsorship types, including spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners.
You can prove your relationship by submitting different types of documents and evidence with your sponsorship application. In some cases, IRCC may also ask you to attend an interview.
In general, the more strong and clear evidence you provide, the better your chances of approval. However, the exact documents needed may differ depending on whether you are sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
This article explains how to show a genuine relationship for spousal sponsorship, how IRCC defines each type of relationship, what documents can be used to prove your relationship is genuine, and what to expect if you are asked to attend a sponsorship interview.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Types Of Relationships Recognized By IRCC
| Relationship Type | IRCC’s Definition Of The Relationship |
| Spouses | Legally married, meaning the relationship is recognized in: – Canada; and – The country in which it took place. Both parties must have been physically present at the ceremony. |
| Common-law partners | An unmarried couple living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. There cannot have been significant periods of separation. |
| Conjugal partners | A couple that has maintained a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months but cannot live with or marry due to significant and/or unavoidable barriers (e.g., legal, cultural, religious, or social). Sponsored person must live outside Canada. |
Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to sponsor their spouse or partner for Canadian immigration.
Proof Requirements For Spouses And Common-Law Partners
IRCC requires proof that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. The documents you submit must clearly show that you and your partner share a real life together.
When You Are Living Together
If you are living together at the time of application, IRCC asks that you provide at least two of the following documents:
- Shared ownership of a residential property
- Joint leases or rental agreements showing that both of you are occupants
- Bills for shared utility accounts, such as gas, electricity, telephone, or internet, or joint credit card or bank accounts
- A minimum of one joint bill must be submitted if using this as proof
- Car insurance under which both partners have been declared as residents of the insured’s address
- Documents which show both partners share the same address, such as driver’s licenses
- A minimum of one government-issued document must be submitted if using this as proof
- Other documents showing both partners share the same address, such as phone bills, pay stubs, tax forms, bank or credit card statements, or insurance policies
- These can be held jointly, but don’t have to be
- One document per person is required if using this as proof
These documents help IRCC confirm that you are living together and sharing daily responsibilities.
If you are unable to provide at least two of the documents listed above, you must include a written explanation explaining why the documents are not available.
When You Are Not Living Together
If you and your partner are not living together when you apply, IRCC requires additional proof to show that your relationship is still real and ongoing.
You must provide documentation showing:
- Proof of previous cohabitation (at least 12 months, for common-law partners)
- Proof of contact, which can be in the form of letters, printed text messages, emails, social media conversations, or similar evidence showing communication between partners
- Evidence that the sponsor has visited their partner, such as airline ticket coupons, used boarding passes, or photocopies of their passport showing entry-exit stamps
If visits did not take place, you must provide an explanation as to why in the IMM 5532 form (Part C, Question 4).
Moreover, if common-law partners cannot provide all the required documents, a written explanation must be included in the application.
Additional Proof For Spouses
Spouses may also submit extra documents to strengthen their application, such as:
- Important documents showing you are recognized as each other’s spouses (e.g., employment or insurance benefits)
- Documentary proof of financial support between one another and/or shared expenses
- Proof that your relationship is recognized by friends and/or family members (e.g., letters from them or social media information showing a public relationship).
Photographic Evidence
Common-law partners must submit up to 20 photographs taken at different times and locations. Each photo must include a short explanation describing the situation.
The photos should show:
- You together as a couple
- You with friends or family members, to show that your relationship is public and known to others.
Married couples only need to submit photographs if they answer “no” to any of the following questions in the application:
- Are you and your spouse currently living together?
- Do you and your spouse have any children together?
- Is this a first marriage for both you and your sponsor?
- Have you and your sponsor been married for a minimum of two years as of the date of application?
If photos are required, include pictures from:
- Your wedding
- Engagement or traditional ceremonies
- Trips or outings together
The maximum number of photos is 20, and each must have a brief description.
Proving A Conjugal Partnership
Conjugal partnerships are another way to show a genuine relationship for spousal sponsorship.
These partnerships are assessed more strictly because the partners are not married and do not live together.
To prove a conjugal relationship, IRCC requires strong evidence, including:
- A signed written statement confirming that the couple cannot marry or live together, with a clear explanation of the reasons
- At least two letters from people who know the relationship personally and can confirm it is genuine
- Proof of financial support or interdependence (such as joint accounts, money transfers, or shared property)
- Up to 20 photographs showing the relationship is genuine and has existed for at least 12 months before applying
- Each photograph must include a short explanation
- Records of communication such as letters, text messages, emails, and social media conversations
- Evidence of visits by the sponsor, such as boarding passes, ticket stubs, or passport stamps
If no visits occurred, an explanation must be provided in the IMM 5532 form (Part C, Question 4).
Applicants may also submit any other documents that show a serious and long-term commitment to a shared life.
Moreover, IRCC may ask for more documents later if the officer is not fully satisfied with the evidence provided.
Sponsorship Interviews: What To Expect?
In some cases, IRCC may request an in-person interview with you and your partner.
This usually happens when:
- The officer has doubts about the relationship
- The relationship history is complex
- Some details in the application need clarification
Although interviews can feel stressful, they are also a chance to clear doubts and strengthen your case.
What To Bring To The Interview?
Bring any documents that can help prove your relationship, including:
- Your marriage certificate
- Photos and videos from shared events
- Communication records such as texts, call logs, emails, and messages
- Proof of cohabitation (if applicable)
- Divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Valid identification documents
IRCC will usually interview each partner separately. Your answers should match each other and be consistent with what you wrote in the application.
Common Interview Questions
You may be asked questions about your relationship, daily life, and future plans.
| Question Type | Question Examples |
| About your relationship | – When and under what circumstances did the two of you first meet? – What key events or milestones have shaped your relationship? – How long did you date before getting married? – What activities, interests, or hobbies do you enjoy sharing as a couple? |
| Daily life | – Which household tasks do each of you typically handle? – What does your usual weekday and weekend routine look like? – Do you have any special traditions, rituals, or celebrations that you follow together? |
| Family and friends | – When and where did you first meet your spouse’s family members? – Do you generally participate in large family events or gatherings together? – Can you name some of your partner’s close friends? |
| Communication | – How often do you communicate with one another? – What methods do you use to keep in touch when you’re not together? – How often do you communicate with your spouse’s family? |
| Future plans | – Do you plan to have children together? – How do you plan to divide or manage financial responsibilities moving forward? – What are each of your long-term career goals, and in what ways do you support each other in pursuing them? |
IRCC will inform you if an interview is required and will provide the date, time, and location.
If the officer is not convinced that your relationship is genuine after the interview, the sponsorship application may be refused, and the foreign national may become ineligible for sponsorship.
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