I’m looking for advice on a complicated Canadian immigration situation.
I became a permanent resident through Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker – French draw). I submitted my PR application in December 2025 and was approved in March 2026.
I’ve been in a same-sex relationship with my partner since 2019. We lived together in Brazil and have been continuously living together in Canada since May 2024. Both of our names have been on the lease since then, with no interruptions (aside from a short vacation).
At the time of my PR application, I was advised not to declare him as my common-law partner because it could lower my CRS score, so I applied alone and did not include him.
He is currently in Canada on a visitor visa (extended multiple times since 2023).
Now we are considering marriage and want to regularize his status, but I’ve learned that not declaring a common-law partner may prevent me from sponsoring him under R117(9)(d).
Independent immigration is not an option for him.
My questions:
- Is there any way to fix or declare this situation now?
- Has anyone successfully sponsored a partner after not declaring them?
- Are H&C or public policy options realistic in this scenario?
- Should we try inland sponsorship anyway, or is that too risky?
Any insight or similar experiences would be really appreciated.