Family Sponsorship in Canada – Sponsor Your Loved Ones
Reunite with your spouse, partner, children, parents, or grandparents through Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program.
Imagine the joy of welcoming your loved ones home after being apart for too long. Family sponsorship in Canada gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to reunite with their husband, wife, common-law or conjugal partner, children, parents, or grandparents — and build a life together in Canada. At Strive Immigration Services, we understand how important family is. Our experienced immigration consultants in Surrey, Canada are here to guide you through every step of the family sponsorship process, making sure your application is complete, accurate, and prepared for success.
What Is Family Sponsorship in Canada?
Family sponsorship is a permanent residence pathway designed to keep families together. As a sponsor, you take legal and financial responsibility for your loved one’s settlement in Canada for a set period (the “undertaking”).
IRCC prioritizes family reunification, allocating a significant portion of Canada’s annual immigration targets to the family class. It not only strengthens families but also helps new immigrants contribute to Canadian society through work, education, and community life. This program is open year-round for most categories and offers faster processing than many economic immigration streams.
Key benefits of Family Sponsorship include:
- pathway to Canadian permanent residence (and eventually citizenship)
- access to healthcare, education, and social services
- right to live and work anywhere in Canada
- family unity without long separation
Whether you are hoping to sponsor your spouse, bring your parents over, or adopt a child from abroad, this page serves as your central hub for everything related to family sponsorship in Canada. Below, we break down exactly who is eligible to sponsor, who can be sponsored, and the commitments required to make Canada your family’s forever home.
Ready to bring your family home? Scroll to discover your family sponsorship in Canada options or contact an experienced immigration professional for personalized guidance.
Who Can Sponsor under the Family Sponsorship in Canada?
Before exploring the specific programs, you must determine if you are eligible to be a sponsor. IRCC has strict requirements to ensure that sponsors can adequately support their family members upon arrival.
To be eligible as a sponsor, you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act
- be living in Canada (Note: Canadian citizens living abroad can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child, provided they prove they plan to live in Canada once the sponsored relative becomes a PR. Permanent Residents must reside in Canada to sponsor).
- commit to supporting the people you’re sponsoring by signing an undertaking and sponsorship agreement
- meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Who Can’t Sponsor under the Family Sponsorship
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner through family sponsorship program if you
- were sponsored by your spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident of Canada less than 5 years ago
- signed an undertaking for your previous spouse or partner that you sponsored, and it hasn’t been 3 years since they became a permanent resident of Canada
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner, child, parent or grandparent if you
- have already applied to sponsor the same person and a decision on that application hasn’t been made yet
- are in jail, prison or a penitentiary
- did not pay back
- an immigration loan
- a performance bond
- court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (this doesn’t apply if you’re sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- did not give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (this doesn’t apply if you’re sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- declared bankruptcy and are not discharged (this doesn’t apply if you’re sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability
- were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm or a sexual offence within or outside Canada
- can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a removal order
Who Can You Sponsor under the Family Sponsorship in Canada?
Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians can sponsor the following members through the Family Sponsorship in Canada Program:
- Spouse or Partner – husband, wife, common-law or conjugal partner
- Dependent Children – biological or adopted child
- Parents and Grandparents – mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather
- Other Relatives – such as orphaned siblings, nephews, or nieces under 18, if you meet certain conditions
Eligibility Requirements for Sponsored Family Members
To qualify under Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program, the family member you wish to sponsor must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must pass medical, criminal, and security background checks to ensure they are admissible to Canada. In addition, they must provide valid and verifiable documentation that proves their relationship to sponsor (for example, as a spouse, partner, child, parent, or grandparent). Most importantly, the sponsored individual must intend to live in Canada permanently and fulfill the obligations of permanent residency.
Family Sponsorship in Canada Categories
Canada’s family sponsorship is divided into different categories. Each category has its own eligibility criteria and application process. Choose the family sponsorship path below that matches your family situation to learn more about the program specific requirements, current fees, processing times, step-by-step process, and document checklists.
1. Spousal Sponsorship
If you are legally married to your husband or wife, you can apply for Spousal Sponsorship. Canada recognizes both opposite-sex and same-sex marriages. Depending on whether your spouse is currently living inside or outside of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse through either the Inland or Outland sponsorship pathway.
2. Common-Law Sponsorship
You do not need to be legally married to sponsor your partner. To qualify as common-law partners, you must prove that you have been living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months without any long periods apart.
Learn more
3. Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
This category is for partners (opposite-sex or same-sex) who have been in a committed relationship for at least one year but have been unable to live together or marry due to significant legal, cultural, or immigration barriers in the partner’s home country.
Learn more
4. Dependent Child Sponsorship
You can sponsor your biological or adopted children to become Permanent Residents. To qualify as a dependent, the child must generally be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children over 22 may qualify if they have depended on their parents for financial support due to a physical or mental condition since before turning 22.
Learn more
5. Adopted Child Sponsorship
Adopting a child internationally and bringing them to Canada require compliance with the laws of the child’s home country, the Canadian province sponsor reside in, and Canadian immigration laws. This process is complex but deeply rewarding.
Learn more
6. Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)
Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence through Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship. Because demand is incredibly high, IRCC typically operates this program on intake system. Sponsors must submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form when the program opens and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA). For families seeking a faster alternative, the Super Visa is an excellent option for long-term visits.
Learn more
7. Orphaned relatives sponsorship
Family Sponsorship in Canada is generally limited to spouses, partners, children, parents and grandparents. You cannot usually sponsor extended family members. In very specific situations, IRCC allows you sponsor a brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if they are under 18, unmarried, and their both parents are deceased.
Learn more
8. Lonely Canadian rule
You may sponsor one relative of any relationship if they are related to you by blood or adoption and you do not have a living relative you could sponsor instead. You also do not have any close family members or relatives in Canada at all.
Learn more
What Is Family Sponsorship Undertaking?
When you sponsor someone in Canada for permanent residence through family sponsorship in Canada program, you are required to sign an “undertaking.” This is a legally binding promise to the Government of Canada that you will provide financial support for your sponsored relative’s basic needs. If they claim social assistance during this period, you must repay it.
The undertaking period begins once the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents. How long you have to support someone, its length depends on who you’re sponsoring.
| Person you’re sponsoring | Length of undertaking period (except Quebec) |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child 22 years of age and older | 3 years |
| Dependent child under 22 years of age | 10 years or until the child becomes 25 years of age, whichever comes first |
| Parents and Grandparents | 20 years. |
What is Minimum Income requirement for family sponsorship?
One of the most common questions is how much money you need to make to sponsor someone.
- For Spouses, Partners, and Dependent Children: In most cases, there is no strict Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required. You simply need to show you can provide basic needs. (The exception is if you are sponsoring a dependent child who has dependent children of their own).
- For Parents and Grandparents: You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) plus 30% for your family size for the three consecutive taxation years immediately preceding your application.
Family Sponsorship Application Process
The family sponsorship application process in Canada involves several steps that must be carefully followed to ensure a successful outcome. While each family sponsorship category has its own specific document checklists, the overall workflow follows these essential steps:
- Determine Eligibility: Ensure both the sponsor and the applicants meet all legal requirements.
- Gather Documentation: This is the most crucial step. You must provide undeniable evidence that your relationship is genuine. Compile all supporting documents to prepare your application.
- Complete the Forms: Download the correct application package from IRCC website. This includes forms for both the sponsor and the principal applicant. Fill out all required application forms precisely.
- Pay Government Fees: IRCC may change application fees time to time. Always check updated fee from IRCC website. Application fees usually include Processing fees, Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics fees, etc.
- Submit the Application: Most family sponsorship applications must now be submitted electronically through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal.
- Post-Submission Steps: Wait for IRCC to issue the Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) and request biometrics, medical exams, and any additional documentation.
The processing time can vary depending on the type of family sponsorship in Canada and the volume of applications being handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Staying informed and responsive during this phase is vital to keep the application on track. Our immigration consultants at Strive Immigration Services offer ongoing support throughout the application process, helping applicants navigate any challenges that arise and keeping them updated on the status of their applications.
How an Immigration Consultant Can Help
Family sponsorship applications are heavily scrutinized by IRCC officers to ensure relationships are genuine and sponsors are financially capable. A minor error, missing signature or a document can result in months of delays or a heartbreaking refusal.
Working with our experienced immigration consultants streamlines the entire sponsorship process. When you retain our services, we ensure your application is complete, well documented, and perfectly aligned with IRCC’s guidelines, and act as your authorized representative with IRCC. This allows you to focus on what matters most: planning your family’s future in Canada.
Start Your Family Sponsorship Journey Today
Whether you’re exploring spousal sponsorship, preparing a parents and grandparents sponsorship application, or need help with child sponsorship, reach out to our team of regulated immigration consultants in Canada for your eligibility assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common-law and conjugal partner streams exist exactly for these situations — strong evidence is key.
Generally, no. You cannot directly sponsor siblings unless they are an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild under 18 and not married. However, under the “Lonely Canadian” rule, if you have no other living relatives you can sponsor, and no relatives who are Canadian citizens or PRs, you may sponsor one relative of any age.
If you apply for Inland Spousal Sponsorship (your spouse is living in Canada with you), they can apply for an Open Work Permit to work in Canada.
While you can apply yourself, complex cases, previous refusals, or incomplete documentation greatly benefit from professional help.
You may have the option to appeal or reapply with proper documentation.
Processing times vary by program, location of sponsor, applicant, and application processing office. Always check the latest official times using IRCC’s interactive processing times tool: Check Processing Times.