Immigration to Canada through Canadian Family Class Sponsorship

COMMON-LAW PARTNER VISA TO CANADA

Family reunification is an important component of Canada's immigration agenda. Of the 262,236 immigrant Visas granted in 2005, over 63,300 Visas were allocated to family sponsorship under the Family Class program. Canada's current Immigration Plan sets out a long range goal of welcoming approximately 67,000 to 69,000 Family Class Visa Applicants per year and will account for a large portion of migrants to Canada.

Under the Common-Law Spousal Visa, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are living in Canada can apply to sponsor their common-law partner and dependent children.

The Common-Law Partner Visa allows applicants who have been residing with their qualifying Canadian partners for a period of 1 year or more in an ongoing relationship to be sponsored. You and your partner need to be in a genuine and continuing relationship and intend to live together in Canada. Your Canadian partner must be willing to live in Canada with you and must be capable of supporting you without accessing public funds.

COMMON-LAW PARTNER VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

In order to apply for the Common-Law Partner Visa, you must show an ongoing and genuine relationship and cohabitation for least 1 year, with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada. Both same-sex and opposite sex couples are eligible for this Visa. Your sponsor must also sign an undertaking to provide for all your basic needs for a specified period of time.

COMMON-LAW PARTNER VISA ENTITLEMENTS

As a Common-Law Partner permanent resident, you will have the right to live, work and study in Canada indefinitely. You are also free to travel anywhere in Canada, and to take employment as you see fit. This flexibility makes it the popular choice for newcomers.

You will have access to Canada's Medicare system (government-funded health care), subsidized education, unrestricted access to the Canadian employment market, language training programs, assistance for finding employment, and the rights, freedoms and responsibilities associated with permanent residency.

Canada also provides financial assistance to residents and citizens through various programs such as unemployment insurance benefits, Canada child tax benefit, worker's compensation plans, social assistance and senior citizen discounts.