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Canadian Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
19 August, 2025
Who Qualifies as a Conjugal Partner?
A conjugal partner is at least 18 years old, with whom a Canadian citizen or permanent resident has had an exclusive relationship for at least 12 months. This category acknowledges that some couples face obstacles to formalizing their relationship through marriage or cohabitation. It allows individuals in significant, long-term relationships who cannot meet the criteria for marriage or common-law status to be sponsored for immigration by their Canadian partner. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created the conjugal partner category for partners unable to qualify for common-law status or marriage due to legal, social, or cultural barriers.
Proving a Conjugal Relationship for Spousal Sponsorship
Among IRCC's three recognized categories for spousal sponsorship, the conjugal partner category requires significant documentation. Applicants must provide proof of financial support, shared expenses, relationship support letters, photographs, and travel records. Documentation must also demonstrate genuine barriers to marriage or cohabitation, such as legal, social, cultural, or religious reasons. These barriers must be extreme circumstances beyond the applicant and sponsor's control.
Examples of acceptable documentation include affidavits from family and friends, copies of local marriage laws, and reports on cultural and social conditions in the applicant’s country of residence.
Examples of Reasons for Sponsorship in the Conjugal Partner Category
- Same-sex partners in countries where such relationships are not recognized.
Some countries do not recognize same-sex marriage. Additionally, same-sex partners may face significant cultural barriers and safety concerns that prevent cohabitation, making it impossible to establish a common-law relationship. If the relationship is genuine, conjugal partner sponsorship is an option.
- Divorce is not possible in the country of origin.
In some countries, like the Philippines, divorce is not always recognized. A person separated from their former spouse remains legally married, making them ineligible for spousal sponsorship. Conjugal partner sponsorship may be an option when remarriage is not legally possible, and the couple cannot live together to establish a common-law relationship.
Preparing your Conjugal Partner Sponsorship Application
Because of the high burden of proof required for this sponsorship category, it is recommended to exhaust all options for obtaining legal marriage or common-law status before pursuing a conjugal sponsorship. If IRCC is not convinced of the barriers, they could refuse the application.
When preparing a conjugal partner sponsorship application, diverse documentation is crucial. The sponsor and applicant might need to attend an interview, so preparation is essential. Immigration officers will assess the genuineness of the relationship based on commitment, feelings, and whether the applicant could be taking advantage of the sponsor. Both parties should provide a detailed 'relationship story' explaining their perspective and addressing any red flags. Strong documentation is critical to removing doubts about the relationship.
IRCC looks for red flags like significant age differences, religious distinctions, and discrepancies in documentation. It is important to provide diverse documentation upfront to address potential concerns.
Documentation Required to Prove the Genuineness of the Relationship
IRCC lists documents to submit to demonstrate the genuineness of the relationship. Specific requirements vary depending on the type of relationship. Regardless of living arrangements, the following documents may be required:
- Proof of divorce or separation if previously married
- Long-form birth certificates or adoption records if there are children in common
- Relationship photos, proof of financial support, and shared expenses
- Support letters from family and friends
- Social media information showing a public relationship
- Travel documents
If living together, additional documents may include:
- Proof of joint residential property ownership
- Rental agreements
- Joint utility accounts
- Joint credit card or bank accounts
- Vehicle insurance
- Government-issued documents showing the same address
- Other documents showing the same address
If living apart, additional documents may include:
- Proof of sponsor’s visits
- Proof of communication
The Law Office of Kalina & Tejpal can assist with the application process. Please contact us at (416) 900-6999 or 1 (844) 268-6477 for a consultation.
Tags: conjugal partner, prison, Sponsorship
