Conjugal partner
Statutory definition
IRPR s 2 defines "conjugal partner" as a foreign national residing outside Canada who is in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor and has been in that relationship for a period of at least 1 year. A conjugal relationship is one that does not involve cohabitation but demonstrates commitment similar to marriage — shared finances, emotional commitment, knowledge of each other's lives, sexual exclusivity, and recognition by family. The conjugal partner category exists because some couples cannot cohabit due to immigration barriers (the partner cannot obtain a visa to visit Canada) or other exceptional circumstances.
Explanation
The conjugal partner category is narrow and is not intended as an alternative to common-law cohabitation for convenience. The inability to cohabit must result from an immigration barrier or exceptional circumstance beyond the couple's control. Conjugal partners are sponsors by Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the same-sex relationship context (where marriage or cohabitation is legally restricted in the partner's country) or in cases of genuine immigration barriers. The category requires the same evidence of relationship genuineness as spousal or common-law sponsorship.