Who is not eligible to sponsor a conjugal partner?

Several situations can make a person ineligible to sponsor a conjugal partner under Canada’s Family Class immigration program. Because conjugal sponsorship is an exceptional category, IRCC applies strict eligibility rules to ensure sponsors can meet their legal obligations. You can explore more about conjugal sponsorship on our Spousal Sponsorship page.

You cannot sponsor a conjugal partner if you:

• Are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  (Temporary residents such as visitors, workers, students, and undocumented individuals cannot sponsor.)
• Are a permanent resident living outside Canada
  (Permanent residents must reside in Canada during the entire process.)
• Are under 18 years old
• Receive social assistance for reasons other than disability
  (Sponsors must demonstrate financial capability and commit to three years of support.)
• Are in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking
  (Including unpaid support obligations.)
• Are an undischarged bankrupt
• Have certain criminal convictions
  (Especially crimes involving violence, family members, or sexual offenses.)
• Are under a removal order or have unresolved immigration enforcement issues
• Have a misrepresentation ban from a prior immigration application

Even if you meet the sponsor requirements, IRCC will refuse a conjugal sponsorship if the relationship does not meet the strict definition of a conjugal partnership or if marriage or cohabitation is realistically possible. For a full overview of who qualifies as a sponsor, you can also review our related FAQ: “Who is eligible to sponsor a conjugal partner in Canada?”

You can book an appointment with our team for guidance on whether you qualify for this exceptional category or need help preparing your application. Information on professional service pricing is available on our Immigration Consultant Fees page.