Under the Conjugal Partner Sponsorship Program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may sponsor their conjugal law partner to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. The following are the eligibility criteria for the sponsor:

1. Must be at least 18 years old
2. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
3. Must make a formal commitment to become financially responsible (Undertaking) for the conjugal partner
4. Must reside in Canada

• if you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored conjugal partner becomes a permanent resident
• you cannot sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada

5. Show an immigration barrier where the sponsor and the sponsored person (principle applicant) were not able to stay together long term in each other’s country
6. Divorce is not possible in the country where one or both partners are married to someone else
7. Same-sex marriage is not permitted in the country where the sponsored person (principle applicant) lives
8. Conjugal relationship may be either opposite-sex or same-sex
9. The sponsored person (principal applicant) must have a valid passport
10. Prove that you are not receiving social assistance unless on disability
11. Must provide documentation of their significant commitment:

• Holding joint expenses or shared income
• Holding joint ownership of properties
• Naming each other as beneficiaries in insurance policies or estates

Government of Canada Website Link:

1. https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1487&top=14