Family Sponsorship in Canada

Family Sponsorship is one of the main Canadian immigration pathways because Canada strongly believes in keeping families together. Family reunification is a core goal of Canada’s immigration system. Through the Family Sponsorship Program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can bring loved ones to live with them in Canada permanently.

This program is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It helps reunite spouses, children, parents, and other eligible relatives with their Canadian family members.

What Is Canadian Family Sponsorship?

Family sponsorship allows your relative to immigrate to Canada and become a permanent resident. As the sponsor, you must commit to supporting your relative financially and meeting their basic needs.

You’ll also need to ensure they don’t require government assistance. If they do, you may be responsible for repaying that cost.

Who Can You Sponsor?

You can sponsor the following close family members:

Your spouse or common-law partner
Your dependent children
Your parents or grandparents

In rare cases, you may also sponsor a non-immediate relative. This only applies if:

You do not have any close relatives you could sponsor, or
You have legally adopted a relative who qualifies as a dependent child

Who is an Eligible Sponsor?

To sponsor someone, you must meet several conditions. You must:

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act
Be 18 years of age or older
Reside in Canada (or plan to return, if you’re a citizen abroad)
Be financially capable of supporting your sponsored relative

Sponsorship Undertaking

When sponsoring someone, you must sign a legal agreement called an “undertaking.” This makes you financially responsible for your sponsored family member. If they receive social assistance from the government, you must repay it.

This commitment lasts for a fixed number of years and remains valid even if your situation changes. For example, the undertaking continues even after divorce or separation, financial issues, or if your relative becomes a Canadian citizen.

Length of Sponsorship Undertakings

Spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner: 3 years
Dependent child under 22: 10 years or until age 25 (whichever comes first)
Dependent child over 22: 3 years
Parent or grandparent: 20 years
Other relatives: 10 years

Quebec Residents

In Quebec, you must also help sponsored individuals integrate into society. This includes learning French and accessing provincial services. Quebec has separate rules for how long the undertaking lasts. For example:

Spouse or partner: 3 years
Child under 16: Until age 18 or for at least 10 years
Child 16 or older: Until age 25 or for at least 3 years
Other relatives: 10 years

Financial Requirements for Sponsors

Sponsors must prove they can support their family financially. This means providing essentials like food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public insurance.

In some cases, you must meet or exceed the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). This is required when:

You sponsor a spouse or partner with dependent children who also have children
You sponsor a dependent child who has their own children
You sponsor a parent or grandparent

Quebec has its own income evaluation process. If you live in Quebec, your financial eligibility is assessed by the Quebec immigration ministry.

How to Apply for Family Sponsorship

Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you meet the criteria to become a sponsor.
Check Your Relative’s Eligibility
Make sure the family member you want to sponsor qualifies under the program.
Submit the Application
If you live outside Quebec, apply through IRCC. If you live in Quebec, you must also apply to the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). You must submit both the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together.
Pay the Required Fees
These include the processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics fee.
Send Your Application to the Correct Address
Follow the instructions in the IRCC sponsorship guide to ensure you send it to the right place.

Types of Sponsorship Applications:

Spouse or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. A common-law partner is someone you’ve lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months. A conjugal partner is someone you are in a relationship with but cannot live with or marry due to serious reasons like immigration restrictions or religious laws.

To be eligible:

You must be at least 18 years old
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
You must prove the relationship is genuine
You must demonstrate your ability to support your partner

The person you sponsor must:

Be at least 18 years old
Not be closely related to you

There are two types of spousal sponsorship:

Inland Sponsorship

Your partner is already living in Canada. They may apply for an open work permit during the application process. This allows them to work while waiting for a decision.

Outland Sponsorship

Your partner is outside Canada. They apply through a Canadian visa office abroad. They may still visit Canada during the process, but must maintain their legal status.

Sponsoring Your Dependent Children

You can sponsor your biological or adopted children. Children must meet IRCC’s definition of a “dependent child.”

A child qualifies if they:

Are under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
Are 22 or older and unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition

To be eligible:

You must prove your relationship with the child
IRCC must approve both you and the child

Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows you to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada permanently. Each year, IRCC opens intake windows for this program.

To qualify:

You must be at least 18 years old
You must be living in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident
You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement
You must provide your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
You must agree to financially support your parents or grandparents for 20 years (Quebec: 10 years)

You may include your spouse or common-law partner as a co-signer to meet the income requirements. Your co-signer must also meet all eligibility criteria.

Get Expert Immigration Assistance with Dara Immigration Services (DIS)

Are you looking to Sponsor your family to Canada?

At Dara Immigration Services (DIS), we understand that navigating the immigration process can be complex. Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, or permanent residency, we will guide you every step of the way. From helping you understand the application process to ensuring all necessary documents are in order, we provide the personalized support you need to succeed.

Don’t leave your future to chance—reach out to Dara Immigration Services (DIS) today, and let us help you take the next step toward your Canadian dream.