What is a Conjugal Sponsorship

Coming to Canada as Conjugal Partners

Do you and your significant other dream of living together in Canada someday soon? Are you worried this is not possible because you are not legally married, and do not meet the requirements of a common law relationship either? There is good news! You may be able to sponsor your conjugal partner! In this article, you will learn what a conjugal partnership is, and how conjugal partners can apply for spousal sponsorship, despite not being eligible as a legally married couple or being legally recognized as a common law partnership.

What is a conjugal sponsorship and who does it apply to?

A conjugal sponsorship is a sponsorship application used to bring one’s partner into Canada. Conjugal partners are couples in a marry-like relationship, but who are unable to live together in Canada due to various reasons. This type of sponsorship usually applies to those who cannot apply for a spousal or common-law sponsorship and is an applicant’s last resort.

What are the eligibilities of a sponsor in a conjugal sponsorship?

There are a few requirements that the sponsor needs to fulfill in order to successfully qualify as a legal sponsor. Primarily, the person needs to be 18 years of age or older. They also need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Finally, they need to be able to financially support themselves and the person they are sponsoring. In other words, the person sponsoring must be earning at least the bare minimum of minimum wage. Under these supportive financial fund regulations, you must provide for their basic needs including shelter, food, water, safety, clothing, any health needs that the public health services do not cover, and any other basic needs that pertain to everyday living.

What can prevent me from being a legal sponsor?

There are many reasons that will prevent you from becoming a legal sponsor in your conjugal sponsorship. One reason would be if you have received social assistance for something other than the reason of a disability. This proves to an immigration officer that you are clearly unable to financially support yourself let alone support the principle applicant in the conjugal sponsorship. Secondly, you will not qualify to sponsor if you have committed an indictable offense such as armed robbery, first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, arson, sexual assault, kidnapping, etc. These all show that you are to be considered an ongoing threat to Canadian society and cannot have someone with such criminal background sponsor another person. Some other reasons include currently being in jail or prison, declaring bankruptcy, or having already sponsored a person, or the three years of undertaking time have not been fully completed.

What requirements are necessary when applying for a conjugal sponsorship?

Firstly, you must prove to an immigration officer why you cannot apply for either a spousal sponsorship or a common-law partnership. The main reason why conjugal sponsorships are the last priority is because they pertain to those who, unlike a spousal or common-law sponsorship, cannot get married and live together. Whether these reasons be because of war, strict foreign/religious beliefs, disasters, or other unavoidable reasons causing the two to be unable to reside together must be stated. If there is no valid reason behind why you two are not living together, then the application will most likely be rejected. Due to these reasons, the applicant cannot provide valid marriage certificate needed in a spousal sponsorship. A common-law relationship is where a couple resides together for at least 12 months and are then able to apply for a sponsorship for their conjugal partner. If you are a couple who cannot get married and reside together, the only other application one can apply for is the conjugal relationship. One must prove in a conjugal relationship that your relationship is genuine by providing supportive documents. Some examples of supportive documents may include birthday cards, text messages on social media platforms, photos together, reference letters from family and friends, joint bank account, etc. There also needs to be an explanation as to where your relationship is going to go, how you first came to know each other, the length of the relationship, how you have been communicating to each other since, and what you are planning to do after receiving your conjugal sponsorship approval. Finally, you must be able to provide the immigration officer with a medical examination and a police background check of the person you are inviting to Canada.

How long is the undertaking period in a conjugal sponsorship?

As a sponsor, you are responsible to look after your conjugal partner for at least 3 years and this time begins after your partner has gotten their permanent residency in Canada.

Contact Akrami and Associates

The requirements of the sponsor and principle applicant, undertaking period, meaning of a conjugal sponsorship, reasons for sponsor preventions, and who conjugal sponsorships are applicable to are all essential information one must know and take into consideration when applying for a conjugal sponsorship. Having to understand all the information and having to prepare the application can be exhausting and overwhelming. Akrami and Associates have dealt with many conjugal sponsorship applications and have in-depth knowledge of the conjugal sponsorship. Please feel free to reach out to Akrami and Associates with any of your concerns pertaining to your diverse immigration matters by booking a consultation at 416-477-2545. With our experienced team of associates and lawyers, any case is a simple matter and can easily be taken care of.

With Akrami and Associates, there is always a way!