If you are in a committed relationship but cannot live together or get married due to circumstances beyond your control, you may still be eligible to sponsor your partner to Canada under the conjugal partner category.
The conjugal partner sponsorship option is designed for couples in genuine, long-term relationships who face barriers preventing them from meeting the usual requirements for spousal or common-law sponsorship.
This guide explains what a conjugal partner is, what this category means in Canadian immigration law, how to qualify, and how to apply successfully under IRCC’s conjugal partner definition.
So, what does conjugal partner mean in Canada?
A conjugal partner is someone with whom you are in a marriage-like, committed relationship, but for legitimate reasons, you cannot live together (as common-law partners) or get married (as spouses).
These reasons are typically beyond your control and can include:
The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, demonstrating emotional and physical commitment similar to marriage or common law.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the conjugal partner definition applies when two people have been in a committed, marriage-like relationship for at least one year but cannot live together or marry because of factors beyond their control.
This category exists to recognize real relationships that do not fit neatly into the “spouse” or “common-law” categories.
To qualify, your relationship must show:
To qualify as a conjugal partner in Canada, you must demonstrate that your relationship is both genuine and constrained by real barriers.
You may qualify if:
IRCC will assess the relationship on factors such as:
Many applicants wonder about the differences between conjugal partner vs common law and conjugal partner vs spouse.
If you can live together or get married, you are expected to apply under those categories instead. The conjugal partner category is only for exceptional situations.
To sponsor a conjugal partner in Canada, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who can prove that the relationship meets IRCC’s definition and that legitimate barriers prevent cohabitation or marriage.
The conjugal partner sponsorship process generally follows these steps:
To demonstrate the validity of your relationship and the barriers you face, include documents such as:
The more comprehensive your evidence, the stronger your application will be.
Conjugal partner sponsorships are one of the most challenging categories under IRCC’s family class because they require extensive evidence. Applications are often refused for reasons such as:
If you receive a refusal, you can appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division, but it is better to prepare your application thoroughly the first time.
Here are some practical ways to strengthen your conjugal partner sponsorship application:
IRCC officers look for sincerity, consistency, and documentation that proves both emotional and practical commitment.
Before applying, carefully assess whether the conjugal partner category is appropriate for your situation.
You may be better suited to apply under the spouse or common-law categories if:
If significant external factors make marriage or cohabitation impossible, the conjugal partner sponsorship pathway may be your best option.
You must demonstrate at least one year of a committed, marriage-like relationship to qualify as a conjugal partner under IRCC’s guidelines.
Yes. Same-sex couples are fully eligible under the conjugal partner sponsorship category as long as they meet all other requirements.
In most cases, conjugal partner applications are processed outside Canada, meaning you may not live in Canada until the application is approved. However, you may visit if you can obtain a temporary visa.
If marriage is possible in the near future, it is often better to wait and apply as a spouse, as spousal sponsorships are typically faster and easier to prove.
The processing time for conjugal partner sponsorship applications is usually 12 to 24 months, depending on your specific circumstances and country of residence.
Understanding what a conjugal partner is can help you choose the right sponsorship pathway for your situation. If your relationship is genuine but external barriers make living together or marrying impossible, the conjugal partner sponsorship program offers a pathway to reunite in Canada.
Amanda BaronI'm Amanda, one of the founders of Jointly. I've been working as a lawyer in British Columbia for over ten years. I have a deep commitment to access to justice and building stronger, more resilient communities. I’ve always believed that everyone deserves affordable, clear, and accessible legal solutions to navigate life’s big moments.