For a sponsored spouse or partner experiencing abuse, one threat is used more than any other to maintain control: "If you leave me, I'll call immigration and have you deported." This threat preys on fear and uncertainty about Canada’s immigration laws, trapping people in dangerous situations.

Let's be perfectly clear. This is a lie. It is a tool of abuse, not a statement of fact.

Under Canadian law, you will NOT lose your Permanent Resident (PR) status simply because you leave an abusive sponsor.

Your safety is the priority. This guide will explain your rights, debunk the myths, and point you to the legal experts in Toronto who can help you secure your future in Canada, safely and independently.

In the past, some sponsored spouses were given "conditional permanent residence" for two years. This rule was abolished in 2017 because the government recognized it made people more vulnerable to abuse.

Today, once you have been granted Permanent Resident status, it is your own. It is not tied to the continuation of your relationship.

• Can my sponsor "cancel" or "withdraw" my PR? No. A sponsor has absolutely no power to cancel your PR status once it has been granted. The sponsorship agreement is a commitment they made to the government; it is not a leash they hold on you. Only the Government of Canada can revoke PR status, and only for very serious reasons like immigration fraud (misrepresentation), serious criminality, or failing to live in Canada for the required amount of time. Leaving an abusive relationship is not a reason for revocation.

This is a more vulnerable situation. If you are in Canada on a temporary visa (like a visitor or work visa) and your spousal sponsorship application is still in process, you are not yet a Permanent Resident. If you leave your sponsor, they can withdraw the application.

However, even in this situation, there is a specific protection for you:

• Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Application: You can apply for Permanent Residence from within Canada on your own, on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a special public policy that recognizes being in an abusive relationship with a sponsor as a key factor. This allows you to separate your application from your abusive partner and continue your path to PR independently.

While you don't need evidence to keep your PR, it is very important if you need to apply for PR on H&C grounds, or for family court matters like custody and support. If you can do so safely, try to collect:

• Photos of any injuries or damaged property.

• Copies of threatening emails, text messages, or social media messages.

• A private journal detailing dates and descriptions of abusive incidents.

• Names and contact information of any friends, neighbours, or colleagues who have witnessed the abuse.

• Records from doctors, counsellors, or shelter workers.

This is a complex area of law. Do not try to navigate it alone. Contact these free or low-cost legal experts in Toronto.

1. Community Legal Clinics: These are your first and best stop for free, expert legal advice. Many have dedicated immigration lawyers. Key clinics in Toronto include:

   • Parkdale Community Legal Services

   • Jane Finch Community Legal Services

   • Rexdale Community Legal Clinic

   • (Find your local clinic through the Legal Aid Ontario website)

2. Legal Aid Ontario (LAO): LAO provides certificates to cover the cost of a private immigration lawyer for low-income individuals, especially in cases involving domestic violence and H&C applications. They also offer free summary advice over the phone.

3. Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: This incredible organization specializes in helping women survivors of violence. They have an integrated team that can often provide help with both your immigration case and your family law case (custody, support) at the same time.

4. Settlement Agencies: Organizations like COSTI Immigrant Services or Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services can provide crucial settlement support, counselling, and referrals to legal help, even after your sponsorship has broken down.

The threats from an abusive partner are designed to isolate you and make you feel powerless. The truth is that Canadian law is on your side. Your Permanent Resident status is your key to a safe, independent life in Canada, and your sponsor cannot take it away from you.

Your first priority is your safety. Your second is to get confidential legal advice. Make the call today.

---

This is a critical myth to debunk. Fact: You will not automatically lose your Permanent Resident (PR) status or be deported if you leave your abusive sponsor. Canadian immigration law has a specific provision to protect vulnerable sponsored spouses. Abusers often use the threat of deportation as a tool of control.

You can apply for a Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) assessment on the grounds that you are a victim of abuse or neglect. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a specific exemption that allows you to continue your application for permanent residence, or keep your status if you already have it, without your sponsor's support if you can provide evidence of the abuse.

The abuse is not limited to physical violence. IRCC considers several forms of abuse and neglect, including:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, etc.
• Sexual Abuse: Any forced sexual activity.
• Psychological/Emotional Abuse: Threats, intimidation, insults, isolation from friends and family, and coercive control.
• Financial Abuse: Controlling all the money, preventing you from working, or forcing you to hand over your income.
• Neglect: The sponsor failing to provide basic necessities like food, shelter, or medical care.

Evidence is crucial for your application. While every case is different, strong evidence can include:

• A personal affidavit: Your detailed, sworn written statement explaining the abuse.
• Police reports: Even if no charges were laid, a report shows you contacted the police.
• Medical records: Documentation of any injuries from a doctor or hospital.
• Photos or videos: Evidence of injuries or damaged property.
• Letters from witnesses: Statements from friends, family, or neighbours who witnessed the abuse or its effects on you.
• Letters from support services: A letter from a counsellor, shelter staff, or a community organization in Toronto that has been helping you.

You do not have to go through this alone. Toronto has many resources:

• Legal Support: Contact a lawyer who specializes in the intersection of immigration and family law. You can get referrals from organizations like Legal Aid Ontario or the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic.
• Community Support: Reach out to the Assaulted Women's Helpline (416-863-0511). They can connect you with shelters, counsellors, and other culturally appropriate services.
• Immigrant Services: Organizations like COSTI or local settlement agencies can provide guidance and support specific to newcomers.

If IRCC accepts that you have been a victim of abuse or neglect, they will allow you to proceed with your permanent residence application without your sponsor's involvement. Your application will be assessed on its own merits. This provision is designed to ensure that your safety is prioritized over the sponsorship agreement.