Newlyweds moving to Canada must live together two years or risk deportation

Newlyweds who move to Canada to live with a spouse will have to stay in the relationship for at least two years – or risk being kicked out of the country – under controversial new rules introduced Friday morning.

The rules were announced in the Canada Gazette earlier this year and are part of a suite of regulatory changes meant to crack down on fraudulent marriages.

The probationary period will apply to couples in a relationship of two years or less who have no children together when the sponsored partner moves to Canada. The couple must prove that they have a "legitimate relationship" and live together during the sponsored partner's first two years in Canada for that person to receive permanent residency.