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Spousal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements | Who can be Sponsored | Country-Specific Requirements
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LGBTQ+ Spouse & Partner Sponsorship Canada

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Canada’s spouse and partner sponsorship program is inclusive of LGBTQ+/ same-sex couples, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their partner for permanent residence under the same core rules that apply to all couples. Depending on your situation, you may qualify as spouses, common-law partners (after 12 consecutive months of living together), or—in limited, exceptional circumstances—as conjugal partners when serious barriers make marriage or cohabitation impossible. After becoming a permanent resident, your partner can apply for Canadian citizenship later if they meet the eligibility requirements, since marriage itself doesn’t grant citizenship.

LGBTQ+ applicants may face unique challenges, such as safety concerns, discrimination, limited shared documents, or difficulty living together or traveling to meet. These issues do not prevent sponsorship, but they often require clear explanations and alternative evidence to show the relationship is genuine and ongoing. Whether your partner is inside or outside Canada, the right approach depends on your circumstances, location, and safety considerations.

A strong LGBTQ+ partner sponsorship application can help avoid delays and reduce the risk of refusal, especially when couples face privacy, safety, or documentation challenges. Our Canadian immigration consultants support you at every step—from confirming the right category to preparing a complete, well-organized submission with clear supporting evidence. For personalized guidance, you can book a consultation with one of our specialists. You may also review our fees for a clear overview of our services.

Can I Sponsor My ——– to Canada?

PR for Spouse

You may qualify as spouses if your marriage is a legally valid civil marriage.

Marriage recognition: For immigration purposes, a marriage is generally recognized if it was:

  • Legally performed in Canada, or
  • Legally performed outside Canada and legally recognized both where it took place and in Canada.

Important note: In many cases, IRCC does not recognize proxy/telephone/Internet marriages performed outside Canada where one or both people were not physically present at the ceremony.

PR For Common-law partner

You may qualify as common-law partners if you have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Short or temporary separations may be acceptable if you can show the relationship continued and you maintained a shared home.

This category is often used when marriage is not preferred, not possible, or not yet safe or practical.

PR For conjugal partner

Conjugal Partner Sponsorship is intended for exceptional situations where you have been in a genuine, committed, marriage-like relationship for at least one year, but marriage or living together has not been possible due to significant barriers.

For LGBTQ+ couples, barriers may include environments where same-sex relationships are not accepted, or where same-sex marriage is illegal or unsafe—making cohabitation or marriage realistically impossible.

LGBTQ+ Spouse & Partner Sponsorship Canada

Applying Inside vs Outside Canada

When sponsoring an LGBTQ+ spouse or partner, you’ll usually apply through one of two pathways: inland or outland. The right choice depends on where your partner is living, whether travel is possible or safe, and what kind of flexibility you need during processing. 

Inland sponsorship 

Inland sponsorship is usually the best fit if:

  • Your spouse or common-law partner is already living with you in Canada, and
  • You plan to stay together in Canada while the application is processed.

If your partner is already inside Canada they may be eligible for an Open Work Permit while the sponsorship application is processed (if they meet the program requirements).

Outland sponsorship 

Outland sponsorship is often the better option if:

  • Your partner is outside Canada, or
  • Your partner may need to travel during processing, or
  • You want the outland (Family Class) route for planning reasons (including, in many cases, the ability to appeal a refusal).

Important note: Conjugal partner sponsorship is generally processed through the outland pathway.

Key Requirements, Fees, and Timelines

Eligibility & Proof of Relationship

LGBTQ+ couples qualify under the same IRCC sponsorship rules as opposite-sex couples. There are no separate eligibility criteria based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, proof of relationship can sometimes look different for LGBTQ+ couples—especially when safety, privacy, discrimination, or legal barriers limit what you can share publicly or make it difficult to live together. This does not prevent sponsorship, but it may require a clear explanation and stronger use of alternative evidence.

Some LGBTQ+ couples may have limited “traditional” proof (joint lease, public photos, family involvement) due to privacy, safety, or legal barriers. This doesn’t prevent sponsorship, but it’s helpful to include a clear relationship timeline and alternative evidence (e.g., communication history, travel attempts, and proof of ongoing commitment).

Application Process & Fees

Most LGBTQ+ partner sponsorship applications follow the same spouse/partner sponsorship process as any. The key is choosing the correct relationship category and submitting a complete, well-organized application.

Government fees (IRCC)

IRCC’s standard government fees to sponsor a spouse or partner are typically:

  • $1,205 CAD total (includes sponsorship fee, processing fee, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee)
  • $175 CAD per dependent child (if applicable)

Additional costs may apply depending on the case, such as biometrics, medical exams, police certificates, and translations.

Processing Times & Delays

Processing times for LGBTQ+ applications generally follow the same timelines as standard spouse/partner sponsorship—there is no separate published processing time category specifically for LGBTQ+ couples.

Delays can occur for the same reasons as any sponsorship application, such as:

  • missing documents or incomplete forms
  • inconsistencies in timelines or information
  • additional review of relationship evidence
  • background/security checks
  • identity/document issues (expired documents, name changes, etc.)
  • conjugal partner cases requiring more detailed assessment of barriers (when applicable)
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