Canada offers sponsorship options for spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. Same-sex partners are treated the same as opposite-sex partners, and the sponsored person must be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor, not in a relationship entered into mainly for immigration status.
If you are trying to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada or remain in Canada with you, the process can feel personal and stressful. You may be dealing with long-distance separation, proof of relationship, previous marriages, document gaps, or questions about inland versus outside-Canada processing.
This service is designed for couples who want their application prepared clearly, carefully, and with the right supporting evidence from the beginning.
Canada offers sponsorship options for spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. Same-sex partners are treated the same as opposite-sex partners, and the sponsored person must be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor, not in a relationship entered into mainly for immigration status.
To be eligible to sponsor, you must:
Spousal sponsorship can be processed in two ways:
If your spouse or partner is already living in Canada, you may apply from inside Canada. Eligible applicants can also apply for an open work permit after their permanent residence file is accepted for processing.
If your spouse or partner is outside Canada, the application is processed while they remain abroad and they become permanent residents once the application is approved and final steps are completed.
Canada recognizes common-law and conjugal partners as well as same-sex partners. If your situation involves cohabitation history, relationship barriers, previous refusals, or complicated proof of relationship, we help you build the evidence package properly before you submit.
Spousal sponsorship applications are deeply personal, and every relationship has its own story. IRCC reviews the application, relationship history, supporting documents, financial information, and overall consistency of the file. RA Migration helps couples prepare a clear and complete application that properly explains their relationship.
We understand the types of details that can matter in a sponsorship file, including proof of relationship, timelines, communication history, shared responsibilities, previous marriages, long-distance relationships, and document gaps. Our role is to help you organize the evidence honestly and clearly.
If you want support preparing your spousal sponsorship application, RA Migration can help you approach the process with confidence and care.
Spousal sponsorship typically takes around 10 to 14 months for most cases, though timelines shift with IRCC processing volumes. There are two streams: inland (if your spouse is already in Canada) and outland (processed through a visa office). Each has trade‑offs. Inland lets your spouse apply for an open work permit while waiting; outland is often faster and preserves appeal rights.
What goes wrong? Usually one of three things: not enough evidence that the relationship is genuine, inconsistent statements between the sponsor and applicant, or gaps in the sponsor’s financial or immigration history that raise flags. We build files with officer concerns in mind. The goal is to answer their questions before they’re asked.
Yes. Canada has recognized same‑sex marriage federally since 2005, and same‑sex couples have exactly the same sponsorship rights as opposite‑sex couples, whether you’re legally married, in a common‑law relationship (living together continuously for at least one year), or in a conjugal partnership. There is no separate stream, no different forms, and no additional scrutiny built into the process.
That said, some same‑sex couples face real practical hurdles: you may come from a country where your relationship isn’t legally recognized or where being public about it is dangerous, which can make gathering the usual relationship evidence difficult. We can help you build a file that addresses those realities, including country conditions, privacy considerations, and alternative forms of relationship evidence.
Conjugal partner is a specific, narrower category. It exists for couples in a committed, marriage‑like relationship who cannot marry AND cannot live together for one continuous year because of an immigration barrier, legal barrier, or serious persecution risk. Classic examples: one partner is in a country where same‑sex relationships are criminalized, divorce is impossible, or immigration rules don’t allow the couple to be together.
If you could have married or lived together but simply chose not to, you don’t qualify as conjugal partners. IRCC is strict about this. These files are evidence‑heavy: you need to prove both the genuine committed relationship AND the specific barrier that prevented marriage or cohabitation. Conjugal partner applications are also limited to sponsorship from outside Canada.
It’s almost never over, but the clock is ticking, and the right move depends entirely on what you were refused for and which program. Your options may include:
Reapplying with a stronger file (often the fastest route if the refusal was about missing evidence or a weak explanation).
An appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), available for certain family sponsorship refusals, removal orders, and residency obligation cases.
Judicial review at the Federal Court, a legal challenge arguing the officer made an unreasonable decision or breached procedural fairness. Strict 15 or 60 day deadline.
A humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application if there are exceptional circumstances.
The first thing to do after a refusal is get the officer’s notes (the GCMS notes). They reveal why the file was actually refused. Don’t reapply blindly.
No. And be cautious of anyone who does. It’s actually against the CICC’s professional rules to guarantee an outcome. Approvals rest with IRCC officers, visa offices, and tribunals, not with your consultant.
What we can commit to is careful, professional work: we help identify the right program, prepare a complete and persuasive file, flag risks early, and represent you professionally.
