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The Government of Canada has removed the condition that required some sponsored spouses or partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to live with their sponsor in order to keep their permanent resident status.
Prior to April 2017, an applicant had to live with their sponsor for two years if, at the time of application the relationship was less than two years, and they did not have children together.
The condition was introduced as a way to deter people from seeking to immigrate to Canada through non-genuine relationships. While the government acknowledges that cases of marriage fraud may exist, it also recognizes that “the majority of relationships are genuine and most spousal sponsorship applications are made in good faith,” adding that “eliminating conditional permanent residence upholds the Government’s commitment to family reunification and supports gender equality and combating gender violence.”
If you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence on or after April 18, 2017 and it indicates that you “must cohabit in a conjugal relationship with your sponsor or partner for a continuous period of 2 years after the day on which you became a PR”, this requirement no longer applies.