Many people want to bring their family members to Canada. Canada’s Family Sponsorship Visa Programs make this possible. These programs help Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor loved ones.
Families can stay together through these visas. The process has several steps and requirements. Sponsors must meet financial and legal conditions. They must also submit the right documents.
Applying for a visa can be confusing. But with the right guide, the process becomes easier. This article explains everything in simple terms. You will learn who can apply and how to complete the process.
Keep reading to understand how to sponsor your spouse, child, or parent. This guide will help you apply correctly and avoid mistakes. A smooth application means a faster reunion with your loved ones.
What is Canadian Family Sponsorship?
Canadian Family Sponsorship is an immigration category in Canada that allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring qualifying family members from other countries to live with them in Canada.
Through this process, sponsored family members can obtain permanent resident status, granting them the right to live, work, and study in Canada without time restrictions. There are multiple ways for family sponsorship in Canada, each designed for different types of relatives.
The eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific sponsorship route, so it is very important to fully understand the necessary criteria to successfully move your family to Canada or reunite with your family member in Canada.
There are two key components of sponsorship:
- It enables your family member to move to Canada and obtain permanent residency (PR).
- It requires you, as the sponsor, to take responsibility for providing financial and basic support for the individual.
Are You Eligible to Be a Sponsor?
To sponsor a family member, you must meet certain conditions, including:
- Being a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having the financial ability to support the sponsored individual for a specific period
Who Can Be Sponsored?
You may sponsor the following family members:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
There are some exceptions where sponsorship of non-immediate family members, such as a sibling, niece, or uncle, may be allowed if:
- You do not have any other close family members who qualify for sponsorship, or
- The individual has been legally adopted by you and meets the criteria of a dependent child.
Income Requirements for Sponsorship
As a sponsor, you must sign a Sponsorship Agreement with the family member you are sponsoring. This agreement serves as a promise to provide financial support for their essential needs, including food, clothing, housing, and any health-related expenses not covered by public health services.
For certain types of sponsorship, you must meet or exceed the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) to qualify. This applies in cases such as:
- Sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child, and that dependent child also has children of their own.
- Sponsoring a dependent child who has one or more dependent children.
- Sponsoring a parent or grandparent.
If you live in Quebec, you must comply with the province’s sponsorship income requirements. The Quebec immigration ministry will assess your financial eligibility separately.
Know About the Sponsorship Undertaking
When sponsoring a family member, you must sign an “undertaking,” which legally binds you to support them. If the sponsored individual receives financial assistance from the government, you will be responsible for repaying that amount.
This undertaking remains in effect for a set period, depending on the sponsored family member, and it cannot be revoked even if circumstances change.
For instance, if the person you are sponsoring gets a Canadian citizenship, if you separate or divorce, or if you face financial difficulties, the commitment remains valid.
The duration of the undertaking varies based on the relationship with the sponsored person and, for children, their age:
| Sponsored Person | Length of Undertaking (Outside Quebec) |
| Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child | 10 years or until they turn 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child (22 years or older) | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
| Other relative | 10 years |
In Quebec, sponsors must also assist the sponsored individual(s) in learning French and accessing public services to support their integration.
As of November 2023, sponsors of individuals between 18 and 55 years old must also complete and sign a welcome and integration plan in Section 9 of the Undertaking form.
For residents of Quebec, the duration of the sponsorship commitment depends on the family member being sponsored and, for children, their age:
| Sponsored Person | Duration of Commitment |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child under 16 years old | At least 10 years (or until they turn 18), whichever is longer |
| Dependent child aged 16 or older | At least 3 years (or until they turn 25), whichever is longer |
| Other relatives | 10 years |
Steps to Apply for Family Sponsorship
Step 1: Confirm that you meet the requirements to be a sponsor.
Step 2: Verify that the family members you plan to sponsor meet the eligibility conditions.
Step 3: Submit an application at the federal level to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you live in Quebec, you must also apply at the provincial level to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI).
Both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence (PR) applications for your relatives must be submitted at the same time. Once your eligibility as a sponsor is confirmed, the PR application will be assessed.
Step 4: Pay the required sponsorship application fees.
Step 5: Send your completed application to the correct address. The sponsorship guide, available for download on the government website, provides details on where to send your documents.
Types of Sponsorship Applications
There are two main ways to apply for spousal or common-law partner sponsorship:
1. Inland Sponsorship
- This applies when the person being sponsored is already in Canada.
- They can remain in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.
- The sponsored person may apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada during the application process.
- Spouses or partners may also enter Canada first on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before applying for sponsorship.
2. Outland Sponsorship
- This applies when the application is submitted from outside Canada through an Embassy or Consulate.
- The sponsored person will generally wait outside Canada while their application is being processed. However, they may still visit Canada during this time.
Sponsoring Your Spouse, Partner, or Common-Law Partner
Spousal or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you have the opportunity to sponsor:
- Your spouse, meaning you are legally married.
- Your common-law partner, which applies if you are not legally married but have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months.
- Your conjugal partner, referring to a person with whom you share a committed relationship but are not married or living together due to circumstances beyond your control, and they reside outside Canada.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsorship
To qualify for spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada.
- Show that you can financially support yourself and the person you are sponsoring.
- Provide proof of a genuine relationship through supporting documents.
The sponsored individual must:
- Be at least 18 years old and not be too closely related to the sponsor.
Sponsoring Your Dependent Children
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their biological or adopted children to become permanent residents of Canada.
To be eligible for sponsorship, a child must meet one of the following conditions:
- Be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship.
- If over 22 years old, they must have a physical or mental disability preventing them from financially supporting themselves.
Sponsorship Requirements
- You and your child must receive approval from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- You must provide proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate or adoption papers.
Sponsoring Your Parents or Grandparents
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) or the Super Visa Program.
To qualify under the PGP, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be the child or grandchild of the person(s) you are sponsoring.
- Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for your family size and provide tax documents from the Canada Revenue Agency as proof.
- Sign a sponsorship agreement, committing to financially support the sponsored family member(s) for 20 years.
- If residing in Quebec, sign an additional agreement.
Co-Signer Requirements
Your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the sponsorship to help meet the MNI requirement. The co-signer must:
- Meet the same eligibility requirements as the primary sponsor.
- Not be the individual being sponsored.
- Have lived with the sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.
Super Visa Program
The Super Visa program helps parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods with multiple-entry visas, which can be valid for up to 10 years.
This program remains open year-round, and applications can be submitted alongside the PGP application.
To qualify for the Super Visa Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Provide a signed letter of invitation from their child or grandchild.
- Have valid medical insurance coverage.
- Submit the visa application from outside Canada.
Additionally, the Canadian child or grandchild must demonstrate that their household income meets the minimum financial requirements.
Eligibility Requirements for Other Relatives
If you are related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in a way that is not typically covered under standard sponsorship categories, you must meet specific conditions to qualify for sponsorship and be allowed to live with them in Canada.
Orphaned Relatives Under 18
If you are an orphaned sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild of a Canadian sponsor, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be biologically related to or legally adopted by the sponsor.
- Both of your parents must be deceased.
- You must be under 18 years old.
- You cannot be married, in a common-law partnership, or in a conjugal relationship.
However, you are not eligible for sponsorship if:
- At least one of your parents is still alive.
- Your parents’ whereabouts are unknown.
- Your parents abandoned you.
- Someone other than your parents has taken responsibility for your care while at least one parent is alive.
- Your parent is currently imprisoned or being held in detention.
Other Relatives
If you are related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but do not fall into the orphaned relatives category, you may still qualify for sponsorship under certain conditions. To be eligible, both of the following must apply:
- The person who wants to sponsor you does not have any other eligible relatives who could act as a sponsor instead.
- You do not have any other relatives who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians under the Indian Act.
- You can be related to your sponsor either by birth or through adoption to be considered for sponsorship.
Who Is Ineligible to Be a Sponsor?
Certain factors may prevent someone from qualifying as a sponsor or reduce their chances of being approved by IRCC.
Individuals who may be ineligible include, but are not limited to, those who:
- Were sponsored as a spouse or partner and became a permanent resident less than five years ago
- Are still financially responsible for a former spouse or partner they previously sponsored
- Are currently incarcerated in jail, prison, or a penitentiary
- Failed to meet financial obligations for previously sponsored family members
- Have unpaid alimony or child support payments
- Have declared bankruptcy and have not been discharged
- Have been convicted of a violent crime, any offense against a family member, or any sexual offense, whether in Canada or abroad
Summing Up
Canada’s Family Sponsorship Visa Programs help families reunite. They allow citizens and permanent residents to bring loved ones to Canada.
Sponsoring a family member takes time and effort. You must meet all requirements and provide the correct documents. Mistakes can delay the process. So, careful planning is important.
By following the right steps, your application can be successful. Always check the latest immigration rules. If needed, seek professional help. A well-prepared application increases your chances of approval.
If you want to reunite with your family in Canada, start now. Gather the necessary documents and follow the process carefully. Soon, your loved ones can join you in Canada and build a better future together.