Sponsor your same-sex spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner

At MM Immigration, we believe love knows no borders. In Canada, same-sex relationships and marriages are granted the exact same legal rights and sponsorship opportunities as any other couple. Whether you are already married or just starting your journey, we provide the expert strategy to navigate the process and reunite you with your partner.

We specialize in all three pathways to permanent residency: Spousal, Common-Law, and Conjugal Partner sponsorship. If you are facing legal or safety barriers that prevent you from marrying or living together abroad, we are experts in building the strong evidence needed to overcome these hurdles and bring your partner home.

LGBTQ+ sponsorship

Sponsor your gay or same-sex partner

The main three options for sponsorship for same sex partnership.

Spousal Sponsorship

For couples who are legally married in Canada or in a country where same-sex marriage is legal. A valid marriage certificate and proof of a shared life.

Common-Law Partner

For couples who have lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a marriage-like relationship. Proof of cohabitation is required (joint leases, utility bills, shared address).

Conjugal Partner

Couples who have been in a relationship for 1 year but cannot marry or live together due to legal or safety barriers. Requires evidence of why marriage/cohabitation is impossible (e.g., local laws or persecution).

Conjugal Partner Sponsorship: When Marriage or Living Together Isn’t an Option

For many LGBTQ+ couples abroad, the ‘standard’ paths of marriage or common-law cohabitation are impossible due to local laws, visa denials, or safety concerns. This is where the Conjugal Partner category becomes a lifeline.

If you have been in a committed relationship for at least one year but are prevented from living together or marrying because of:

  • Laws criminalizing same-sex relationships in your partner’s country.
  • The inability to obtain long-term visas to stay together in a third country.
  • Fear of persecution or social/family violence.

You may still be eligible to sponsor your partner to Canada. We specialize in building the high-level ‘barrier evidence’ required to succeed in this highly scrutinized category.”

Overcoming Unique Evidence Challenges for LGBTQ+ couples

How We Prove Your Relationship is Genuine: IRCC looks for ‘social, financial, and emotional interdependence.’ We help you gather the right proof, even when traditional documents aren’t available:”

  • Digital History: If you can’t have a joint bank account, we use money transfers, chat logs, and travel records.
  • Affidavits: We guide friends and family in writing powerful support letters that validate your relationship.
  • Expert Country Reports: For conjugal cases, we provide the legal context of your partner’s home country to prove why you couldn’t live together there.

Forbidden Conjugal Relationships

Conjugal relationships must show similar characteristics to marriage and common-law relationships. Conjugal relationships must show legality, such as no consanguinity, and follow the prohibited degrees in marriage. The legal age for conjugal partnerships is 18.

Sponsorship Application Process

Step 1: Gather Documents

Documents and Forms: Collect all documents and complete all forms.

Step 2: Review and Submission

Upload documents and forms to the online PR portal, review application and submit.

Step 3: Completeness Check

IRCC will perform a completeness check and an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) is issued.

Step 4: Medical and Background Checks

IRCC will request Biometrics and medical exams within months of submission.

Step 5: Final Decision

IRCC will assess eligibility to determine if there is a genuine relationship and provide a decision on the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Must be married (for a spousal sponsorship).
• Must be 18 years of age or older​.
• Must be be admissible to Canada.
• Must be in a genuine relationship.

• Must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident​.
• Must be 18 years of age or older​.
• Must be Self-sufficient (not be receiving social assistance)​.
• Must be able to support the applicant.
• Reside in Canada or show intent to reside in Canada. Review all eligibility criteria.

In-land spousal sponsorship is when the sponsorship is submitted when the couple are living together in Canada. The foreign national spouse would have already entered Canada using a visa or visa exemption. It is also possible to pursue an inland spousal sponsorship option if the principal applicant’s status has lapsed.

Outside Canada sponsorship is the most common route for a Spousal Sponsorship is for the application to be made from abroad. The sponsor remains in Canada while the applicant waits in his or her home country until the application is approved and the visa is issued before being allowed to come to Canada.

Yes! Foreign National’s residing in Canada with no immigration status can be sponsored under the spousal or common-law sponsorship program. If approved, they can receive permanent residency in Canada. It is important to speak to an immigration lawyer to discuss the details and eligibility.

Canada allows spouses and common-law partners of Canadians or permanent residents to obtain an Open Work Permit while their Inland sponsorship application for permanent residence is being processed. Eligibility for an open work permit is the following:
• Have submitted an application under the Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Immigration Program;
• Have a valid temporary resident status (as a visitor, student, or worker); and
• Meet all eligibility requirements under spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, your spouse must meet all the eligibility requirements.

For more information, please find more details here: Open Work Permit for Spousal Sponsorship

Yes. We understand that for many LGBTQ+ individuals, being “out” is not always a safe or viable option due to social, cultural, or legal pressures in their home country.

While public recognition is one way to prove a relationship, Canadian immigration law (IRCC) recognizes that privacy does not mean a lack of genuineness. If you are unable to share your relationship with family or friends for safety reasons, we help you build a strong application using alternative evidence, such as:

  • Financial Interdependence: Joint accounts, money transfers, or naming one another as insurance beneficiaries.
  • Digital Communication: A consistent history of private chat logs, emails, and video calls.
  • Travel History: Evidence of trips taken together or plane tickets from visits to see one another.
  • Private Affidavits: Statements from a small circle of trusted confidants who are aware of your partnership.

The burden of proof is on the applicant to show the relationship is real, but every couple’s story is unique. We specialize in gathering the right documentation to prove your commitment to IRCC without compromising your safety or privacy.

Sponsorship applications take approximately 12-24 months to process from start to finish. They are typically not processed much faster than 12 months, but they can take longer, depending on the nature of your case.

There is no minimum income requirement for partner sponsorship. In contrast to other immigration programs, partner sponsorship does not have a minimum income requirement unless the person you are sponsoring has a dependent child. However, under regular circumstances, the sponsor is required to submit supporting documents to establish that he or she is employed and has submitted income taxes.

Do you want to know if you qualify for Canada spousal sponsorship? Contact us today.

Don’t let borders keep you apart

At MM Immigration, we are proud allies and experts in LGBTQ+ reunification. Let’s bring your partner home to Canada.

Hire an Expert Same-Sex Sponsorship Lawyer

Let an expert Same-sex Sponsorship Lawyer guide you and prepare your common-law partner application:

  • Guide you and your spouse through the immigration process from start to finish.
  • Customize your application based on your circumstances.
  • Review all documentation and supporting evidence.
  • Draft forms, letters and supporting documents.
  • Provide expert legal submissions.
  • Communicate with immigration authorities.
  • Update you on the progress of your application.