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Regulation 156 — Ineligibility to be a party to a sponsorship

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations r 156 Canada Compilation: 2026-03-17 Verified: 2026-05-23

Text of provision

(1) The following persons are ineligible to be a party to a sponsorship:

(a) a person who has been convicted in Canada of the offence of murder or an offence set out in Schedule I or II to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, regardless of whether it was prosecuted by indictment, if a period of five years has not elapsed since the completion of the person’s sentence;

(b) a person who has been convicted of an offence outside Canada that, if committed in Canada, would constitute an offence referred to in paragraph (a), if a period of five years has not elapsed since the completion of the person’s sentence imposed under a foreign law;

(c) a person who is in default of any support payment obligations ordered by a court;

(d) a person who is subject to a removal order;

(e) a person who is subject to a revocation proceeding under the Citizenship Act; and

(f) a person who is detained in any penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(a), a sponsorship application may not be refused on the basis of a conviction in respect of which a pardon has been granted and has not ceased to have effect or been revoked under the Criminal Records Act, or in respect of which there has been a final determination of an acquittal.

Plain English

Practical effect

Information only. Nothing on this page is immigration advice or legal advice. Only an authorised representative (RCIC or immigration lawyer) may give immigration advice in Canada.

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