Requirements for the Sponsor:
The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada.
The sponsor cannot be imprisoned, bankrupt, under a removal order (if a permanent resident), or charged with a serious offense.
The sponsor must not have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse within the last 5 years.

Requirements for the Sponsored Person:
The sponsored person must be at least 16 years old.
The sponsored person must not be too closely related to the sponsor by blood.

Requirements for the Nature of the Relationship:
The applicant must demonstrate that the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored person falls into one of three categories:

1. Spouse: This category applies when the sponsor and the sponsored person are legally married. For marriages conducted in Canada, a Certificate of Marriage from the relevant province or territory will validate the marriage. Same-sex marriages performed in Canada are also recognized. If the marriage occurred outside Canada, it must be valid according to the laws of that country and Canadian federal law.

2. Common-law Partner: To qualify as common-law partners, the sponsor and the sponsored person must have lived together continuously for at least one year, excluding brief absences for business or family matters.

3. Conjugal Partner: This category can include both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. A sponsored person qualifies as a conjugal partner if:
Exceptional circumstances beyond their control have prevented them from qualifying as common-law partners or spouses, such as immigration barriers or legal restrictions affecting divorce or same-sex relationships.
The couple has maintained a mutually dependent relationship for at least one year, demonstrating a commitment level comparable to that of a marriage or common-law union. This may include emotional ties, financial interdependence (e.g., joint ownership of assets, mutual financial support), and efforts to reunite.

Additional Restrictions:
An individual cannot apply to become a sponsor if they:
Have not paid an immigration loan, performance bond, or family support payments.
Failed to support a previously sponsored relative, resulting in that relative needing social assistance.
Are under a removal order.
Are incarcerated in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory, or prison.
Receive social assistance for reasons other than disability.
Have filed for bankruptcy and have not yet received an ‘order of discharge’ from the court.
Were sponsored and held permanent resident status for less than five years.
Sponsored another spouse or partner previously and less than three years have passed since that sponsored spouse or partner became a permanent resident.
Have already submitted an application to sponsor their current spouse, partner, or child, with a decision pending on that application.
Were convicted of a violent or sexual offense, or an offense causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause bodily harm to a relative.