Family Sponsorship
Reunite with your spouse, partner, children, parents, or grandparents. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members.
Who you can sponsor
As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (18 or older), you can sponsor:
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Conjugal partner
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
- Other relatives (in specific circumstances)
You must meet income requirements (for some categories) and sign an undertaking to financially support your sponsored family member(s).
Spouse, common-law, and conjugal partner sponsorship
Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to become a permanent resident.
Eligibility (Sponsor):
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- 18 years or older
- Not receiving social assistance (except disability)
- No criminal record involving violence or harm to family member
- No previous sponsorship in default
Eligibility (Sponsored person):
- Legally married to sponsor (for spouses)
- Lived together in conjugal relationship for 1+ years (for common-law partners)
- In relationship but unable to live together for 1+ years (for conjugal partners)
- Not inadmissible to Canada
Processing time: Approximately 12 months
No minimum income requirement for spouse/partner sponsorship.
Dependent children
Sponsor your biological or adopted children to Canada.
Definition of dependent child:
- Under 22 years old
- Not married or in common-law relationship
OR
- 22 years or older who has depended on parents financially since before age 22 due to physical or mental condition
Processing time: 8-12 months (varies by country)
Parents and grandparents
Sponsor your parents and grandparents to become permanent residents.
Important:
This program operates through a lottery system. Applications are only accepted during specific intake periods announced by IRCC.
Eligibility (Sponsor):
- Meet minimum necessary income for 3 consecutive tax years
- Income requirement varies by family size (typically 130% of Low Income Cut-Off)
- Include income of spouse/partner if co-signing
- Provide proof of Canadian income (tax returns, notices of assessment)
Eligibility (Sponsored person):
- Parent or grandparent of sponsor
- Meets health and security requirements
Processing time: 20-24 months after submission
Alternative: Super Visa (allows extended visits of up to 5 years per entry without permanent residence)
Other eligible relatives
In limited circumstances, you may sponsor other relatives:
- Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild under 18
- Any relative if you have no living relatives (spouse, partner, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle, nephew/niece) who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
This is uncommon and requires meeting specific conditions.
Sponsor obligations
When you sponsor a family member, you sign an undertaking (legal commitment) to:
- Provide financial support
- Ensure they don't need social assistance
- Repay any social assistance they receive during undertaking period
Undertaking:
Spouse/partner
3 years
Dependent children under 22
10 years (or until age 25)
Parents/grandparents
20 years
Important: This obligation exists even if your relationship changes or circumstances change.
Ready to reunite with family?
Family sponsorship involves both sponsor and sponsored person meeting specific requirements. A consultation can clarify your eligibility and obligations.