Family Sponsorship in Canada

For Inquiry

Family Sponsorship

Canada values family reunification that’s why the Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close relatives to live, study, and work in Canada as permanent residents.

If you are 18 years or older and meet the eligibility criteria, you can sponsor specific family members, helping them build a future in Canada.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

You can sponsor the following family members under the Family Class Immigration Program:

Spouse or Common-Law Partner
Conjugal Partner
Dependent Child (biological or adopted, under 22 years old and unmarried)
Parents and Grandparents
Orphaned Relatives such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren under 18, unmarried, and whose parents are deceased

The sponsored person must generally live outside Canada, unless they are legally staying in Canada on a study or work permit.

Eligibility to Sponsor

To qualify as a sponsor, you must:

Be 18 years or older
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Reside in Canada
Be financially capable of supporting the sponsored family member
Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability reasons)

Who Cannot Sponsor

You may be ineligible if you:

Are serving a prison sentence
Are subject to a removal order
Are bankrupt and not discharged
Receive social assistance (non-disability)
Have committed violent or sexual offences
Have defaulted on immigration loans or child support payments
Have sponsored a spouse or partner within the last 3 years
Became a permanent resident through sponsorship within the last 5 years

Express Entry Draws

Eligibility for Spouse or Partner Sponsorship

Category	Description
Spouse	Legally married, recognized under Canadian law
Common-Law Partner	Lived together continuously for at least 1 year in a conjugal relationship
Conjugal Partner	Relationship of at least 1 year, but unable to live together due to legal, immigration, or social barriers
Same-Sex Relationship	Fully recognized for all sponsorship categories

Dependent Child Sponsorship

A dependent child is:
Under 22 years old, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship
Over 22 years old and financially dependent on parents due to a physical or mental condition

Processing Times

Category	Average Processing Time
Spouse / Partner Sponsorship	6-12 months
Dependent Child Sponsorship	12–18 months
Parent / Grandparent Sponsorship	24–36 months

Sponsor’s Financial Responsibility

As a sponsor, you must financially support your family member and ensure they do not rely on government assistance.

Duration of Financial Obligation:

Spouse / Common-Law / Conjugal Partner: 3 years
Dependent Child (under 22): 10 years or until age 22 (whichever comes first)
Dependent Child (22+): 3 years
Parents / Grandparents: 20 years
Note: The financial obligation remains valid even if your relationship changes (e.g., divorce or separation).

Additional Requirements

Medical Exam

All sponsored applicants must complete a medical examination through an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Police Certificates

Applicants aged 18 or older must provide police clearance certificates from:

Their home country
Any country where they lived for 6 months or longer

Quebec Sponsorship Requirements

If you live in Quebec, you must meet both federal and Quebec provincial criteria. After federal approval, you’ll receive instructions from MIDI (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration) to complete Quebec’s sponsorship agreement.

Additional Requirements

Licensed Immigration Experts (RCICs, Immigration Advocate)
Step-by-step application support
Accurate document review to prevent delays
AI-assisted file checks for faster approval
Ongoing support until your family arrives in Canada

Faqs

Your Queries Answered

Yes. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

Spouse sponsorship takes around 12 months, while parents and grandparents may take up to 36 months.

Only if they are under 18 years old, unmarried, orphaned, and have no parents alive.

You must notify IRCC immediately. Some changes, like divorce or separation, can affect eligibility.

Spousal sponsorship doesn’t require a minimum income, but you must show you can financially support your partner without government assistance.

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