What is a Conjugal Partner?
A conjugal partner is someone you have been in a committed romantic relationship with for at least 12 months, but you have been unable to live together or marry due to significant legal or immigration barriers.
IMPORTANT: Last Resort Category
Conjugal partner sponsorship is extremely difficult to prove and should only be used when marriage or common-law cohabitation is genuinely impossible. If you could have married or lived together but chose not to, IRCC will refuse the application.
You MUST prove:
- Relationship of at least 12 months
- Genuine committed romantic partnership (similar to marriage)
- Unable to marry due to legal barriers (e.g., same-sex marriage illegal)
- Unable to cohabitate due to immigration restrictions (e.g., work permits, visas denied)
- Significant efforts made to overcome barriers (e.g., visa applications, legal consultations)
- Marriage or cohabitation would cause persecution or serious hardship