Spousal sponsorship: How to prove your relationship is genuine

To sponsor your loved one for Canadian permanent residence (PR), you must satisfy the immigration officer reviewing your case that your relationship is genuine.

The authenticity of your relationship can be proven by providing various types of evidence and supporting documentation in your sponsorship application—and during an interview, if required.

The more documentation provided, the stronger your application will be. The type of documentation required may vary whether it is a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner being sponsored.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

This article will cover Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) definition of each relationship type, what can be used to prove its authenticity, and a rundown of sponsorship interviews.

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 can sponsor their spouse or partner.

Spousal and common-law partnerships

IRCC asks that for both the sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner, at least two of the following documents from the list below must be provided as proof of a genuine relationship if you are living together at the time of application:

• 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; and
  • 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.

This helps prove cohabitation. If you are unable to provide at least two of the above documents, a written explanation as to why must be provided.

If you are not living together at the time of application, 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; and
• 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).

A written explanation must be provided if common-law partners are unable to provide all the above.

Spouses can also use the following types of evidence:

• 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, whether living together at the time of application or not, must also attach in their application up to 20 photographs—which have been taken at different times and locations—accompanied by a document explaining the context (briefly) behind each photograph.

These should ideally be a mix of the two of you together, as well as among friends and/or family, the latter to help show that your relationship is publicly recognized.

Married couples (spouses) only need to provide photographs as additional proof of relationship if they do not answer “yes” to all of the following questions in their immigration 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 you answer “no” to any of the above and are required to provide photographic proof of your relationship, include photos of your wedding, customary celebrations, engagement, and/or outings together. Like with common-law partners, the maximum is 20 and they should be accompanied by descriptions of context.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

Conjugal partnerships

To demonstrate a valid conjugal partnership, the partners must provide IRCC with evidence that includes:

• A signed written statement confirming they cannot marry or live together, with an explanation of the reasons;
• At least two letters from individuals who know the relationship firsthand and can confirm it is genuine;
• Proof of financial support and/or interdependence (e.g., joint accounts, remittances, shared ownership of assets);
• Up to 20 photographs showing the relationship is genuine and has existed for at least 12 months before the application is submitted;
  • Each photo must be accompanied by a brief description of its context.
• Records of communication such as letters, text message printouts, emails, and social media conversations; and
• Evidence of visits by the sponsor (if applicable), such as used boarding passes, ticket stubs, and photocopies of passport entry/exit stamps.
  • If no visits took place, a written explanation as to why should be provided on the IMM 5532 form (Part C, Question 4).

In addition to the above, conjugal partners can provide additional documentation they believe demonstrates a mutual commitment to a shared life and relationship of some permanence between them and the sponsor in their application.

IRCC may request additional information at a later date if they are unsatisfied with the documentary evidence provided.

Sponsorship interviews

In certain cases, an immigration officer may request that you and your loved one attend an in-person interview.

They may do so due to doubts about the validity of your relationship, to make sense of complex relationship histories, or to help clarify some application details.

While it may be daunting to be called in for an interview, it can be beneficial to see this as an opportunity to strengthen your application by easing any potential concerns an officer may have.

Bring documentation that you believe will help prove the legitimacy of your relationship, including (but not limited to), the following:

• Your marriage certificate;
• Photographs and videos together from shared events or moments;
• Records of your communication, such as texts, call histories, social media communication, and letters;
• Proof of cohabitation (if applicable);
• Previous divorce certificates (if applicable); and
• Valid identification.

IRCC will speak with you and your partner individually, and your answers should demonstrate consistency—both with one another and with the information submitted in your application.

You can expect to be asked questions about information included in your application, as well as about your relationship—which may pertain to your daily life together, family and friends, and communication, among other things.

It is important that you answer all questions posed truthfully. If you don’t know or don’t remember something, clearly communicate this instead of guessing or making up an answer.

The table below provides examples of questions you may be asked.

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?

Should an interview be required, IRCC will communicate this to you and include all relevant appointment details—including the date, time, and location of the interview.

If the interview fails to convince officers that your relationship is authentic, they may refuse the application, making the foreign national ineligible for sponsorship.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration