What is the difference between a spouse and a conjugal partner?

The main difference between a spouse and a conjugal partner under Canadian immigration law lies in the legal status of the relationship and the barriers surrounding it. A spouse is someone to whom you are legally married. To be recognized as spouses, a couple must provide a valid marriage certificate that meets both the laws of the country where the marriage occurred and Canadian immigration standards.

A conjugal partner, on the other hand, is someone with whom you have a genuine, long-term, marriage-like relationship but cannot legally marry and cannot live together for 12 continuous months because of serious, documented barriers. These may include immigration restrictions preventing long-term stays together, legal obstacles to marriage, cultural or religious prohibitions, or laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. For a full explanation of how IRCC defines conjugal partnerships, you can also review our related FAQ: “What is a conjugal relationship according to IRCC?”

While spouses have a legally recognized union, conjugal partners must rely on extensive documentation to prove emotional, financial, and social interdependence. IRCC also requires proof that the couple genuinely attempted to overcome the obstacles but could not marry or cohabit. You can see an easy breakdown of the differences, who qualifies, evidence required, processing expectations, and common pitfalls, on our comparison pages between spousal programs.

If you’re unsure which category applies to your situation, you can book an appointment for personalized guidance from our experienced Canadian immigration consultants. Additional details on professional pricing are available on our Immigration Consultant Fees page.