Can a common-law partner get PR in Canada?

Yes, a common-law partner can become a permanent resident of Canada through the family sponsorship program. IRCC fully recognizes common-law relationships as long as the couple has lived together in a committed, marriage-like partnership for at least 12 consecutive months. To support your application, experienced Canadian immigration consultants can help you understand what documents best demonstrate a shared life, such as joint leases, shared utility bills, joint bank accounts, and other proof of cohabitation and financial interdependence. You can also review a full overview of the program on our Spousal Sponsorship page.

To sponsor a common-law partner, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and able to support your partner’s basic needs without relying on social assistance (except for disability benefits). There is no minimum income requirement for spousal or common-law sponsorship, but sponsors must sign a three-year undertaking to financially support their partner after they obtain permanent residence.

The partner being sponsored must meet IRCC’s admissibility requirements, including medical exams, background checks, and security screening. The relationship must also be genuine, ongoing, and not entered into for immigration purposes.

Couples can apply through two possible streams:

Inland sponsorship, for partners already living together in Canada. Inland applicants may also qualify for an Open Work Permit while their application is being processed.

Outland sponsorship,  for partners living outside Canada.

Processing times are generally around 12 months, though timelines can vary depending on the applicant’s location and the completeness of the application. For more details, you can also review our related FAQ: “What affects the official spouse sponsorship Canada processing time for new applicants?”

If you would like tailored guidance or support preparing your application, you can easily book an appointment with our team. A full breakdown of professional service costs is available on our Immigration Consultant Fees page.