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Spousal Sponsorship Lawyer helps Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their partners to Canada when marriage or living together is not possible due to legal, cultural, or persecution barriers.
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship is a special category in Canada’s family class immigration that allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor their partner for permanent residency (PR). It applies when couples are in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year but cannot get married or live together due to serious barriers.
Unlike spousal sponsorship or common-law sponsorship, the conjugal partner sponsorship category is only used in rare situations. It is meant for genuine couples who cannot qualify under the other categories because of obstacles beyond their control.
These barriers can include cultural restrictions, legal issues such as divorce not being allowed, same-sex relationship restrictions in the partner’s country, or religious persecution that prevents the couple from marrying or living together. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) carefully reviews each case to confirm that the relationship is real and that the couple faces genuine hardships.
To apply for conjugal partner sponsorship in Canada, the Canadian sponsor must meet specific requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These rules help ensure that only eligible individuals can sponsor their partner for permanent residency.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident (PR), or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
Be financially able to support the sponsored partner, meaning not bankrupt and not receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).
Have no serious criminal convictions, especially for violent or sexual offences.
Must not be under a removal order or facing deportation from Canada.
Have no history of defaulting on previous sponsorship undertakings, immigration loans, or court-ordered support payments.
Meeting these sponsorship eligibility criteria is the first step in starting a successful conjugal partner sponsorship application.
When reviewing a conjugal partner sponsorship application, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) looks closely at the nature of the relationship. A conjugal relationship must show the same qualities as a marriage-like partnership, even if the couple cannot legally marry or live together due to barriers.
Mutual commitment to each other’s lives and future.
Exclusive relationship – both partners are only committed to each other.
A long-term and genuine partnership, not a temporary arrangement.
Evidence of intimacy and emotional closeness.
Financial interdependence, such as shared expenses or beneficiary status.
Social recognition of the relationship, including acknowledgment by family, friends, or community.
Fiancé sponsorship is not the same as conjugal partner sponsorship. Being engaged does not meet IRCC’s criteria for this category. A conjugal relationship must show that the couple is already living in a marriage-like bond but are prevented from marrying or cohabiting due to serious legal, cultural, or social barriers.
To be successful with a conjugal partner sponsorship application, you must provide strong evidence that your relationship is genuine, marriage-like, and long-term. Since you and your partner cannot live together or marry due to serious barriers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires clear supporting documents to prove your case.
Joint bank accounts or proof of shared financial responsibilities such as bills or rent.
Communication records (emails, messages, call logs, video chats) showing ongoing contact.
Photos together, especially with family and friends, to prove social recognition of your relationship.
Beneficiary documents such as naming your partner in insurance, pension, or wills.
Affidavits from family, friends, or community members confirming your relationship.
Travel records showing efforts to visit each other when possible.
Since the conjugal sponsorship category is only for couples who cannot marry or live together, you must also submit evidence of the barriers that prevent you from doing so. Examples include:
Legal restrictions, such as when divorce is not possible in your partner’s country.
Same-sex marriage bans or laws that criminalize LGBTQ+ relationships.
Cultural or religious persecution that makes marriage or cohabitation unsafe.
Political or immigration restrictions that prevent living together in one country.
Providing detailed and organized supporting documents helps IRCC see that your relationship is genuine and that the conjugal partner sponsorship is the only available pathway.
Applying for a conjugal partner sponsorship in Canada requires following a careful process to make sure your application meets all the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Here’s how it typically works:
Start with a free eligibility assessment to check if you qualify as a Canadian sponsor and if your relationship meets the definition of a conjugal partnership.
An immigration lawyer will review your case and identify potential challenges, such as proving barriers like same-sex marriage bans or cultural/religious restrictions. A consultation ensures your application is built on a solid strategy.
Collect all required supporting documents such as communication records, affidavits, photos, and proof of financial interdependence. Emphasis should be placed on evidence of the barriers preventing marriage or cohabitation.
Once everything is complete, your application is submitted to IRCC either through the Outside-Canada sponsorship stream or, in rare cases, while living in Canada.
Your lawyer will manage all communications with IRCC, respond to requests for additional evidence, and guide you through any interviews if required. The process continues until a final decision is made and your partner receives permanent resident status in Canada.
Applying for a conjugal partner sponsorship is one of the most complex areas of Canadian immigration law. Many applications are refused because couples cannot provide enough proof of their relationship or fail to explain the barriers preventing marriage or cohabitation. Hiring an experienced conjugal partner sponsorship lawyer can make a major difference.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
A lawyer ensures all IRCC forms are completed correctly, with strong supporting documents to prevent delays or refusals.
Strong Legal Submissions
Your lawyer prepares detailed legal arguments explaining why your relationship qualifies as a conjugal partnership, addressing issues like cultural restrictions, persecution, or same-sex marriage bans.
Help with Fairness Letters & Interviews
If IRCC raises concerns or sends a fairness letter, your lawyer responds with clear evidence and prepares you for interviews to defend your case.
Maximize Approval Chances
With years of experience in Canadian immigration law, a lawyer knows what decision-makers look for and helps build the strongest possible case to increase the chances of sponsorship approval.
Ready to sponsor your conjugal partner to Canada? Our experienced conjugal partner sponsorship lawyers help couples navigate the complex IRCC requirements, prepare strong supporting documents, and maximize approval chances.
No. A fiancé does not qualify under the conjugal partner sponsorship category. IRCC requires proof of a marriage-like relationship with real barriers preventing you from living together or marrying. Engagement alone is not enough.
On average, processing can take 12–24 months, depending on the visa office and the strength of your evidence. Hiring an immigration lawyer can help speed up the process by avoiding mistakes and missing documents.
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.
Yes. If your conjugal partner sponsorship application is refused, you may have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), especially for outland applications. A lawyer can guide you through the appeal process.
Yes. The conjugal partner category is considered an exceptional case and often faces stricter scrutiny. Unlike spousal or common-law sponsorship, you must prove that genuine barriers beyond your control prevent you from marrying or living together.
We provide expert guidance and legal support for all types of Canadian spousal sponsorship cases, including:
Spousal Sponsorship – Helping Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their legally married partners.
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship – Assisting couples who cannot marry or live together due to legal, cultural, or persecution barriers.
Common-Law Sponsorship – Supporting partners in a marriage-like relationship who have lived together for at least 12 months.
Inland Spousal Sponsorship – Guiding applications for spouses who are already in Canada, including open work permit eligibility.
Outland Spousal Sponsorship – Handling applications for spouses living outside Canada with processing through their local Canadian visa office.
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