• Sponsor must be
• At least 18 years old
• Canadian Citizen (living in Canada or elsewhere, but showing clear intention to relocate to Canada permanently)
• Canadian Permanent Resident (living in Canada)
• Not in receipt of social assistance (exception: disability)
• Have signed an undertaking for 3 years for a sponsored partner
• Sponsored Spouse

Requirements for sponsored spouse :

• Spouse must be
• Legally married
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in a genuine conjugal relationship
• Canada recognizes same-sex marriage

Sponsored / Common-law Partner

• Requirements for a common-law partnership
• Common-law partner must
• Have resided together with the sponsor for at least 1 year
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in a genuine conjugal relationship
• Have signed common-law agreement
• Sponsored common-law partner's dependent children can be included on the application
• If the spouse or common-law partner are in Canada and are residing at the same address as their sponsor, they can apply for an Open Work Permit if they have a valid Temporary Resident Status.
• However, if a sponsored spouse or common-law partner is out of status, the public policy allows them to apply for PR status under the Spouse/common-law partner in Canada Class.
• Persons who have overstayed a visa, visitor record, work permit or student permit;
• Persons who have worked or studied without being authorized to do so under the Act;
• Persons who have entered Canada without the required visa or other document required under the regulations;
• Persons who have entered Canada without a valid passport or travel document (provided valid documents are acquired by the time CIC seeks to grant permanent residence)

Sponsored spouse's dependent children can be included on the application (additional undertakings must be signed, and duration of the undertaking will depend on the age of the children)