Filipiniana News – February 2011 RHYME & REASON In this so-called month of love, it may be appropriate to review some basic issues and a recent change in Canada’s immigration laws and regulations relating to spousal sponsorship applications. Types of Relationship Eligible Under a Spousal Sponsorship Application There are three different types of partnerships that could qualify under the spousal sponsorship class: spouses, common-law partners and conjugal partners. Spouses are couples who are validly married in the jurisdiction where the marriage was celebrated. To prove the genuineness of the marriage, the sponsor and applicant must provide documentary evidence such as wedding photos, invitations, reference letters, love letters to each other, etc.. The Canadian or permanent resident can sponsor the spouse even a day after getting married so long as the genuineness of the marriage is adequately proved. Common-law partne...