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Being separated from your partner simply because you’re not legally married or in a common-law relationship can feel frustrating and unfair. The process might seem complicated, and the fear of rejection only adds to the stress. That’s why we’ve simplified everything you need to know about conjugal partner sponsorship, so you can finally take a confident step toward being together in Canada.
Couples who are in a committed, marital-like relationship but are unable to legally marry or cohabitate can apply for immigration benefits through the conjugal partner sponsorship program. If a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is unable to live with their partner because of social, political, or legal restrictions, they can still sponsor their partner for permanent residency under this procedure.
Are you ready to reunite in Canada? Speak with our expert spousal sponsorship lawyer for the conjugal partner sponsorship process.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada through the conjugal partner sponsorship process.
Two people are considered to be in a conjugal partner relationship if they have been in a committed, marital-like relationship for one year or more but are neither married nor living together for reasons beyond their control. The conjugal spouse category is regarded as an uncommon category due to the nature of the mitigating circumstances.
To be eligible for spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, a couple must be unable to live together or get married due to major obstacles. Some of these barriers could be:
Marital Status: For instance, your spouse may be legally married to another person in a nation that does not allow for divorce.
Sexual Orientation: For example, if your partner lives in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal or not accepted, you should not be in one.
Persecution: If you and your partner belong to different religious groups, for instance, your partner may face social or legal punishment as a result of your relationship.
NOTE: You and your spouse will not be eligible for conjugal partner sponsorship if you have both freely decided not to get married or reside in the same house.
If you are looking to sponsor a conjugal spouse to immigrate to Canada, we can assist you. We have outlined three crucial points for you to be aware of prior to starting the sponsorship procedure.
You need to fulfill the conjugal partner Canada checklist to sponsor a conjugal partner:
The following are factors that the IRCC takes into account for a spouse:
You will need to provide evidence of your circumstances and reasons for not qualifying for other forms of sponsorship in order to apply for conjugal partner sponsorship, which is based on the idea that there are exceptions that prohibit a couple from living together or being married.
To prove that the relationship is real, marital-like, and meets the requirements to be considered conjugal, further paperwork and proof may be necessary. The following types of documents are required for conjugal partner Canada proof:
Please be informed that the aforementioned materials, including photographs and letters, will not be returned. In most cases, you can expect to have your passport and marriage certificate back. You must give certified copies of all documents. Do not send the original certificates.
If you’re in a committed relationship with someone who lives outside Canada and you can’t live together due to exceptional circumstances (such as immigration barriers, religious restrictions, or sexual orientation), you may be eligible to sponsor them under the conjugal partner category.
Here’s how the process works:
Make sure you and your partner are both qualified to be sponsored before you begin.
After you’ve made sure you qualify, the next step is to collect the necessary documents. A marriage license, birth certificate(s), police clearance(s) and authenticity certificates are all required.
Applicants can find a document checklist that IRCC provides, which details the necessary paperwork for the application. But approval is not guaranteed only because you submit the necessary paperwork. Each case is different and requires a personalized evaluation to identify any weak spots and how to strengthen them for the best possible outcome.
This application requires the completion of multiple forms. All information provided on these applications must be true and truthful.
If there is any inconsistency or missing information on the forms, they could be returned as “incomplete” or even rejected. If the immigration officer thinks you lied or meant to fool them, you could be charged with misrepresentation. If you are found guilty, you could be banned from applying for immigration again for 5 years or even be sent back to your home country
Be sure to pay the application fees associated with your sponsorship application before you submit it. The conjugal partner sponsorship application fees must be paid online, and the receipt must be attached to the application.
There are two steps to the application procedure after submission.
First, check for completeness. The immigration officer will check the submitted paperwork for accuracy and payment of fees. The application will be returned if any of the items stated above are not provided.
Eligibility review is the second step. After analyzing the partner’s paperwork, the reviewing officer will write a letter stating whether or not the partner satisfies the sponsorship criteria. Before reaching a final decision, the reviewing officer may ask for more supporting documents to clarify any confusion.
Application processing times depend on where your partner lives and if Quebec is involved. As of February 2025, here’s what to expect:
Missing documents or weak supporting evidence are common causes of delays. At URK Immigration, we help you submit a complete and accurate application, minimizing risks and helping you move forward with confidence
Prior to applying for conjugal sponsorship, you should explore every possible option for establishing a formal marriage or common-law status, as this sponsorship category requires a high level of evidence. If the IRCC is not satisfied with the hurdles to marriage or common-law status, it may reject the application.
To prove your eligibility to IRCC while applying for conjugal spouse sponsorship, you will need to gather paperwork from various sources. It is advisable to be prepared in advance in case an interview is required of the sponsor or sponsored individual.
You can also get help from experienced and highly expert lawyers to handle your conjugal partner sponsorship application.
A conjugal partner is an individual who is in a committed, marital-like relationship with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen but is unable to marry or live together lawfully due to significant cultural, religious, legal, or immigration-related barriers. URK Immigration will assist you in creating a compelling application by making sure it satisfies IRCC's rigorous standards.
Not automatically. If you want to be legally married, your relationship needs to be long-term (at least a year) and committed on an emotional, financial, and legal level. Our Canadian Sponsorship lawyers review your case and make sure you present evidence that is strong enough to satisfy IRCC's strict criteria.
Depending on the decision, you might be able to try again or make an appeal. The most common reasons for refusal are not enough proof of a serious relationship or not enough proof of major challenges with getting married or living together.
To increase your chances of success, solicitors at URK Immigration thoroughly examine the reasons for rejection, build your case, and explain how to reapply or file an appeal.
Because IRCC examines these cases closely, URK Immigration. works with you to build strong, persuasive documentation for your application.
Yes, but you'll need to show that your current relationship is real and give legal documentation of your divorce or separation. Your relationship timeline will be carefully examined by IRCC. Our Canadian immigration experts will make sure that your application offers evidence that is easy to understand and won't be misunderstood.
People can work and study freely once they get permanent residence. URK Immigration assists in researching potential temporary permit possibilities so that your partner can be lawfully engaged in the workforce prior to PR clearance.
To demonstrate that a conjugal relationship is real and committed, partners can provide supporting documents like shared bank accounts, joint leases, or evidence of shared financial responsibilities. These details help prove the authenticity of the partnership.
No, you can sponsor your conjugal partner regardless of your financial status. On the other hand, after your partner becomes a permanent resident, you'll need to sign an undertaking promising to meet their basic needs financially for three years. You can't be a sponsor if you're getting government help, even if it's for a disability.
This sponsorship category includes partnerships in countries where divorce is banned or not allowed after marriage.
If your partner lives outside Canada, you can apply to sponsor them through an overseas sponsorship. While waiting for a decision on their application, your partner plans to remain outside the country.
If they wish to visit Canada during this time, they must first obtain a visitor visa or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), if required based on their nationality. However, getting a TRV can be challenging because they must prove they intend to leave Canada after a short stay. That’s why it’s often better to focus on the permanent residency application first.
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