• Health
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Can I sponsor my same-sex spouse, common-law or conjugal partner?

Yes, if you and your relationship meet all criteria for sponsorship.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)'s website has definitions of spouse, common-law and conjugal partner.

Important Notes:

• As of March 2, 2012, if you entered Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner you are not eligible to sponsor a new spouse or partner for a period of 5 years from the date you landed in Canada. Find out more information about this change from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• As of April 28, 2017, IRCC has eliminated the Conditional Permanent Residence rule for spousal and partner sponsorships. Read our news release on what has changed.

Sponsoring a Same-Sex Spouse

If you were married inside Canada, you can sponsor your same-sex spouse if you have a legal marriage certificate from the province or territory where you got married.

If you were married outside Canada you can sponsor your spouse, if your same-sex marriage is legally recognized in the place where you were married and in Canada. Generally, you must give IRCC proof that your marriage is legal.

Sponsoring a Same-Sex Common-Law or Conjugal Partner

You can sponsor your same-sex common-law partner, if you have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year. Generally, you must show proof of this union, such as joint financial records, property, mail, or purchases.

You can sponsor your same-sex conjugal partner if you have been in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year and have:

• Evidence that you could not live together because of same-sex discrimination or other reasons (e.g. an immigration barrier, refusal of long-term visas or stays in each other's country); and
• Evidence that you are not just in a physical relationship but a mutually interdependent relationship (e.g. joint financial records).

How do I apply?

To find out more about the sponsorship process, including eligibility requirements, read:

• How do I sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child living outside of Canada?
• How do I sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child from inside Canada?

For More Information

• Sponsoring Your Family - Official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Do you want to sponsor your family to join you in Canada? [PDF] - This fact sheet has information about sponsorship and supporting sponsored family members. From CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario).
• Immigration and Refugee Law - Clear language publications on legal topics relating to immigrants and refugees. From CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario).
• IRCC Help Centre - A tool that helps answer frequently asked questions on immigration matters. It offers several ways of searching through the information available, including search by keyword. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.