Married to more than one wife? Where you stand in Canada

Polygamy is a criminal offence under Canadian law, and immigration does not recognise a second marriage that exists alongside the first. This is a summary of official sources for education only, not a judgement of anyone and not a religious ruling.

1. Know the law: section 293 of the Criminal Code makes practising or entering into any form of polygamy, or taking part in a ceremony for it, an offence with a penalty of up to five years in prison.
2. See the immigration position: IRCC (the immigration department) says polygamous marriages are not legal in Canada, and a spouse is not a member of the family class if either party was already married to someone else at the time of that marriage.
3. Know that only one wife can be sponsored: the first marriage is the one recognised, and a second wife cannot be sponsored or treated as a common-law partner while the first marriage continues.
4. Look at the children’s position: IRCC warns that sponsoring the children does not make their mothers eligible to immigrate, which can mean permanent separation between a mother and her children; a family needs to understand this before any decision.
5. Know there is no workaround: IRCC notes a marriage may be treated as monogamous if the couple live in Canada in one marriage only and the other marriages have ended; the details are complex and depend on the case.

Caution: There is no way around this law; ask a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer before any step, and we do not issue rulings.

Bottom line: Polygamy is a criminal offence under Canadian law, and immigration does not recognise a second marriage that exists alongside the first. This is a summary of official sources for education only, not a judgement of anyone and not a religious ruling.

Last reviewed: 29 September 2026