Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
Eligibility Criteria for Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Permanent residents residing outside Canada cannot act as sponsors.
For sponsorship of a spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner, the sponsor is financially responsible for the sponsored person(s) for at least 3 years after they become permanent residents, which includes repaying any social assistance received by the sponsored individual(s).
The sponsor must prove they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability and must be able to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s).
Who Can Be Sponsored?
The person being sponsored, along with their family members, must pass background, security, and medical checks.
Spouse
- Must be legally married to the sponsor.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Common Law Partner
A common-law partner must fulfill these requirements:
- Must not be legally married to the sponsor.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have lived with the sponsor for a minimum of 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship without long periods apart.
Proof of a common-law relationship may include:
- Shared ownership of residential property.
- Joint leases or rental agreements.
- Bills for shared utility accounts.
Conjugal Partner
A conjugal partner must satisfy the following conditions:
- Must not be legally married or in a common-law relationship with the sponsor.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must have been in a relationship with the sponsor for at least one year.
- Must reside outside Canada.
- Must be unable to live with the sponsor in their country of residence or marry the sponsor due to significant legal or immigration issues, such as marital status, sexual orientation, or persecution.
