Conditional Permanent Residence for Sponsored Spouses
CIC has implemented a new rule which provides a “conditional permanent residence” to sponsored spouses, common law partners or conjugal partners who have been in a relationship of two years or less with their sponsor and have no children in common.
The new rules require that these sponsored spouses or partners live together in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years beginning on the day they become permanent residents in Canada. If the spouse or partner has not fulfilled this condition at the end of the two year period, their permanent residence may be revoked. This measure was introduced to deter marriage fraud. However, the condition will not apply in cases where the sponsor dies within the two-year period, or in cases where the spouses/partners are abused or neglected by the sponsor. This new rule is not retroactive and only applies to spouses/partners whose applications for permanent residence are received by CIC on or after October 25, 2012.