In Canada, a conjugal partner is someone with whom you have a committed, long-term relationship but who, due to extenuating circumstances, cannot live together or marry. This often applies to couples who are in a relationship but are unable to live together because of legal or immigration barriers, such as the inability to marry due to religious or cultural reasons, or if one partner lives in a different country.
1. Who Can Be Sponsored as a Conjugal Partner?
To be eligible for conjugal partner sponsorship, the sponsored individual must:
✔ Have a genuine, committed relationship with the sponsor.
✔ Not be able to live together or marry because of circumstances beyond their control (e.g., legal, immigration restrictions, cultural barriers).
✔ Be in a long-term relationship with the sponsor, with evidence of an ongoing and committed partnership.
2. Who Can Sponsor a Conjugal Partner?
To be eligible as a sponsor, the sponsor must:
✔ Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
✔ Be at least 18 years old.
✔ Be able to financially support the conjugal partner for 3 years after sponsorship approval.
✔ Not be receiving social assistance, except for disability reasons.
✔ Show that they have a genuine relationship with the conjugal partner and that they are committed to supporting them long-term.
3. Key Differences Between Spouse, Common-Law, and Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
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Spouse: Legally married.
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Common-Law Partner: Living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 months.
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Conjugal Partner: A long-term committed relationship but unable to live together or marry due to specific circumstances.
4. Documentation Required for Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
📄 Proof of Relationship:
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Documentation of the genuine, committed relationship (e.g., communication records, photos, travel history).
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Affidavits from family and friends supporting the relationship.
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Evidence that the couple could not marry or live together due to specific reasons (e.g., immigration, legal, or cultural barriers).
📄 Living Apart:
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Explanation of why the couple couldn’t live together or marry.
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Evidence of attempts to live together or marry (if any).
📄 Medical Exam & Police Clearances:
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A medical exam and police clearance are required for the sponsored partner.
5. Processing Time
⏳ The processing time for conjugal partner sponsorship generally takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the visa office. The timeline can vary based on the specifics of the relationship and supporting documents.
6. Inland vs. Outland Sponsorship for Conjugal Partners
📌 Inland Sponsorship
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If the conjugal partner is already in Canada.
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The sponsored partner may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit while waiting for the decision.
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The couple can remain in Canada during the processing period.
📌 Outland Sponsorship
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If the conjugal partner is outside Canada.
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The application will be processed through the visa office in the partner’s home country.
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This process may take longer, but the sponsored individual can still apply for a visitor visa while waiting for the permanent residence approval.
7. Why CMG Immigration Can Help
✅ Document Collection & Review – Help ensure all necessary documentation is collected and properly presented to prove the relationship.
✅ Application Submission & Follow-Up – Streamline the process and provide regular updates on the application status.
✅ Legal Advice & Interview Preparation – Prepare clients for any interviews or additional requests from immigration authorities.