About Us|Contact Us|Media Centre|Press Release|News|Careers|Visa Bureau Blog|Client Area
Bookmark Print
Canadian Visa Bureau » Canadian Visas and Immigration » Partners » Same-Sex Partner
There is currently and interim policy in place for this class.
Are You Eligible For A Same-Sex Partner Visa?
However, if you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you may qualify to sponsor your partner as a common-law or a conjugal partner.
The Supreme Court of Canada has rendered an opinion on the same-sex marriage reference. The Government of Canada has introduced a Bill to legalise same-sex marriages across Canada. CIC will review its interim policy, as needed, if a law is passed.
You are a common-law partner-either of opposite sex or same-sex-if you have been living with your sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year. The year of living together must be a continuous 12-month period and cannot be intermittent periods that add up to 1 year. However, you are allowed temporary absences for short periods of time for business travel or family reasons.
The conjugal partner category is for partners-either of opposite sex or same sex-in exceptional circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from qualifying as common-law partners or spouses. A conjugal relationship is more than a physical relationship. It is a mutually dependent relationship, and it has some permanence and the same level of commitment as a marriage or a common-law union.
The medical requirements for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children are different from the medical requirements that must be met for other members of the Family Class.
Up-front medical examination allows applicants (your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent children) to take the medical examination before the applications for sponsorship and permanent residence are submitted.
News
Canadian visa to lure high-tech immigrants - 16 May 13
Canadian immigration backlog almost halved - 27 Mar 13
Canada immigration rates continue to rise - 28 Feb 13