sponsoree spouse's legal obligation

[cpeters8604]

so ive done some research and still the language is confusing to me. I want to know when the two year period starts for the time that a spouse is legally responsible for their immigrated partner. does the period start after marriage or when the spouse receives their permanent residency. the wording they used online is "legitimate relationship" but they do not define that. i married my wife in september of 2013 but she did not receive her residency until January 2015. any help is greatly appreciated

 

[zardoz]

so ive done some research and still the language is confusing to me. I want to know when the two year period starts for the time that a spouse is legally responsible for their immigrated partner. does the period start after marriage or when the spouse receives their permanent residency. the wording they used online is "legitimate relationship" but they do not define that. i married my wife in september of 2013 but she did not receive her residency until January 2015. any help is greatly appreciated

It's three (3) years and it starts on the day that the applicant "lands" as a permanent resident in Canada. If you are referring to the cohabitation requirements of Condition 51, it's two (2) years and it also starts on the date of "landing".

 

[Ponga]

You are financially responsible for her for 3 years (until Jan 2018). If her PR has Condition 51, she needs to live with you for 2 years (until Jan 2017).

 

[cpeters8604]

okay thank you both for this information. if she decides to leave or separate and go back to her country then these are dropped as she would lose her status is this accurate?

 

[zardoz]

okay thank you both for this information. if she decides to leave or separate and go back to her country then these are dropped as she would lose her status is this accurate?

They would only cease if she formally lost her PR status, via due process. It wouldn't "just happen". If she returned to Canada but decided to live away from you, they still have force and the sponsor would be liable for any welfare repayment. Condition 51 would, on the other hand, still continue to apply as well.