Family Sponsorship

Canada welcomes over 100,000 immigrants annually through family sponsorship programs.
The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) admits about 80% of these immigrants under the Spouses, Partners, and Children Program and the remaining 20% under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). This comprehensive guide provides information on sponsoring family members to immigrate to Canada.

Overview of Family Sponsorship in Canadian Immigration

Reuniting families is a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration system. Since the end of World War II, Canada has aimed to attract immigrants to strengthen its economy, unite families, and fulfill humanitarian objectives. The family class is the second-largest category of new immigrants admitted under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan.

Canada’s immigration system is managed by IRCC, which establishes and operates the Family Sponsorship Program. This includes setting eligibility criteria, reviewing applications, and issuing permanent and temporary resident visas.

What Is Family Sponsorship in Canada?

Family sponsorship has two main aspects:

Allowing a family member to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residency (PR).
Requiring you to commit to financially supporting the sponsored individual for a specified period.

Am I Eligible to Sponsor?

To sponsor a family member, you must meet several criteria, including:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Be at least 18 years old.
Be capable of financially supporting the sponsored individual for a specified period.

Whom Can I Sponsor?

You can sponsor:

Spouses and common-law partners
Dependent children
Parents and grandparents

Exceptions exist where you may sponsor non-immediate family members (e.g., a sibling, niece, or nephew) if:

You have no other close relatives to sponsor, or
You have legally adopted them, and they meet the definition of a dependent child.

Income Requirements for Sponsorship

As a sponsor, you must sign an agreement to provide financial support for the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare not covered by public services) of the sponsored individual.

Certain sponsorship types require you to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), such as:

Sponsoring a spouse or partner with dependent children who also have their own dependents.
Sponsoring a parent or grandparent.

If you live in Quebec, you must meet additional provincial requirements, and your income will be assessed by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration.

Sponsorship Agreement and Legal Obligations

You must sign a “commitment” making you legally responsible for the sponsored individual. If they receive social assistance, you must repay the government.

The commitment period varies based on the relationship and, in the case of children, their age. For example:

Spouse or partner: 3 years
Dependent child under 22: 10 years or until they turn 25, whichever comes first
Dependent child 22 or older: 3 years
Parent or grandparent: 20 years

Steps to Apply for Family Sponsorship

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria as a sponsor.
Confirm that the relative you wish to sponsor is eligible.
Submit applications to IRCC (federal) and, if residing in Quebec, to MIFI (provincial).
- Applications for sponsorship and permanent residency must be submitted simultaneously.
Pay the required application fees.
Send the application to the correct address, as outlined in the government’s sponsorship guide.

Sponsoring a Spouse or Partner

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor:

Your legally married spouse.
A common-law partner (someone you have lived with in a marital relationship for at least 12 months).
A conjugal partner (someone you are in a committed relationship with but are prevented from living together due to exceptional circumstances).

Eligibility Requirements:

As a sponsor:

Be at least 18 years old.
Be able to provide for yourself and your spouse/partner financially.
Prove the genuineness of your relationship with supporting documents.

For the sponsored individual:

They must be at least 18 years old and not closely related to you.

Types of Spousal/Partner Sponsorship Applications

Inland Sponsorship:
- For individuals already in Canada.
- Allows the applicant to apply for an Open Work Permit during the processing period.
Outland Sponsorship:
- Processed through an embassy or consulate abroad.
- Sponsored individuals typically wait outside Canada but may visit on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

Sponsoring Dependent Children

You can sponsor dependent children (biological or adopted) for permanent residency.

Eligibility for Dependent Children:

Must be unmarried and under 22 years old.
Those over 22 may qualify if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents financial independence.

Sponsors must prove their relationship with documentation, such as a birth or adoption certificate.

Sponsoring Parents or Grandparents

Two programs enable sponsoring parents and grandparents:

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP):
Sponsors must meet specific income requirements (Minimum Necessary Income or MNI) and provide proof via CRA-issued assessments.
Super Visa Program:
Allows extended visits to Canada without PR.