Canada
Family Class Sponsorship
Canada offers several immigration pathways that allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to join them. These sponsorship programs are designed to support family reunification and promote long-term stability and connection within Canadian communities.
This section provides a detailed overview of the family sponsorship process, including eligibility criteria, program options, and financial responsibilities. Whether the intention is to sponsor a spouse, dependent children, parents, or other qualifying relatives, the information below outlines the key requirements and considerations for navigating this important immigration pathway.
Table of Contents
1. Overview of Canadian Immigration Family Sponsorship
Family class sponsorship is a well-established category within Canada’s immigration system that permits eligible sponsors to apply for their close family members to obtain permanent resident status. Once approved, sponsored individuals gain the right to live, work, and study in Canada permanently.
The program plays a vital role in reuniting families and enabling them to build a life together. It also strengthens Canadian society by fostering supportive, multigenerational households and inclusive communities.
2. Who Can Be Sponsored Under the Family Class
Canada’s Family Class sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with close family members by sponsoring them for permanent residence. The categories of eligible relatives are defined under immigration regulations, and each has specific requirements.
Individuals in a committed relationship with the sponsor may be eligible under one of the following categories:
- Spouse:
The sponsored person is legally married to the sponsor. The marriage must be valid both under the laws of the country where it took place and under Canadian law. - Common-Law Partner:
The couple is not legally married but has cohabited in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Proof of cohabitation, such as joint leases, utility bills, or shared financial accounts, must be provided. - Conjugal Partner:
This category applies to individuals who are in a committed relationship with the sponsor but cannot live together or marry due to significant legal, cultural, or social barriers. The relationship must be genuine and have existed for at least one year.
Sponsors can include their dependent children or sponsor them separately. To qualify as a dependent, a child must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Be 22 years of age or older and have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from becoming financially self-sufficient, provided this condition began before the age of 22 and has been continuous.
Parents and grandparents may be sponsored under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which operates on a limited intake basis and typically requires the sponsor to submit an Interest to Sponsor form when the program opens.
When the PGP is closed or the sponsor is not selected, eligible parents and grandparents may instead apply for a Super Visa, which allows for extended visits of up to five years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.
A sponsor may apply to bring to Canada certain orphaned family members, provided they meet all of the following conditions:
- They are the sponsor’s sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild;
- Both of their parents are deceased;
- They are under 18 years of age;
- They are not married or in a common-law relationship.
In exceptional circumstances, a sponsor may be eligible to sponsor one extended relative of any age or relationship—such as an aunt, uncle, cousin, or adult sibling—if the sponsor has no other close family members, such as a spouse, child, parent, or grandparent, who could be sponsored or is already living in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen.
3. Eligibility to Sponsor a Family Member
To sponsor a relative under Canada’s Family Class immigration program, the sponsor must meet specific eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These requirements ensure that the sponsor is legally permitted and financially capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of sponsorship.
To be eligible, a sponsor must:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of the sponsorship application.
- Hold one of the following statuses in Canada:
- Canadian citizen;
- Permanent resident currently living in Canada; or
- A person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
- If the sponsor is a Canadian citizen living abroad, they must provide evidence of their intention to return to Canada and reside there once the sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident.Permanent residents must be physically residing in Canada at the time of the sponsorship and cannot sponsor a relative from outside the country.
- Be financially capable of supporting the sponsored individual, ensuring their basic needs are met without relying on social assistance. This includes providing food, clothing, shelter, and other essential needs.
- Sign an undertaking agreement committing to financially support the sponsored person for a set period. The duration of this undertaking depends on the nature of the relationship—for example:
Spouse or common-law partner :
3 years
Parents and grandparents:
20 years
Dependent children under 22:
10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first
This undertaking remains in effect even if the relationship ends, the sponsor’s financial situation changes, or the sponsored person becomes a Canadian citizen.
4. Who Is Not Eligible to Sponsor a Relative?
While Canadian citizens and permanent residents are generally allowed to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence, there are specific circumstances under which an individual cannot act as a sponsor. These restrictions are in place to ensure the sponsor is financially and legally capable of meeting the obligations of sponsorship.
A person is not eligible to sponsor a relative if they fall under any of the following categories:
The individual is currently detained in jail, prison, or a penitentiary.
They failed to fulfil the terms of a prior sponsorship agreement, such as not providing financial support to a previously sponsored person.
They have defaulted on child support or spousal support payments ordered by a court.
They have declared bankruptcy and have not yet received an official discharge.
They are currently receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability. Sponsors must be financially self-sufficient.
They are subject to a removal order and are required to leave Canada.
They have been convicted of certain serious criminal offences, especially those involving violence or offences against a family member. This includes sexual offences and crimes resulting in bodily harm.
They have not repaid immigration-related debts, such as immigration loans, performance bonds, or financial obligations from previous sponsorship undertakings.
Sponsors must meet all eligibility criteria before submitting a sponsorship application. Failing to meet any of the above conditions may result in ineligibility and refusal of the sponsorship application.
5. Financial Requirements for Family Sponsorship
The financial obligations for sponsoring a family member to Canada depend on the nature of the relationship and the size of the sponsor’s household. Sponsors are required to demonstrate that they can support the sponsored individual without social assistance from the government. The specific requirements vary based on the family category.
1. Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Dependent Children
There is no formal minimum income requirement for sponsors in this category. However, sponsors must sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored person and ensure that their basic needs—including food, shelter, and health care not covered by public health insurance—are met.
The sponsor must also show that they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability and that they are capable of financially supporting all current household members and the person(s) being sponsored.
2. Parents and Grandparents
Sponsoring parents or grandparents involves more stringent financial requirements. Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), which is determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based on the size of the family unit.
Key requirements include:
- The sponsor must meet or exceed the MNI for each of the past three consecutive tax years prior to applying.
- Proof of income is required and is generally provided through Notices of Assessment (NOAs) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Sponsors may include a co-signer, such as a spouse or common-law partner, to combine income and meet the required threshold.
- The income requirement increases with the number of people being supported (sponsor’s family members plus those being sponsored).
These income thresholds are updated annually and published on the IRCC website.
3. Other Relatives
For extended family members such as orphaned relatives or cases under the “Lonely Canadian Rule,” financial requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s situation and the number of individuals included in the sponsorship undertaking.
Sponsors must provide documentation to show they have the financial means to:
Support the basic needs of the person(s) being sponsored
Fulfil the terms of the sponsorship undertaking without defaulting
Comply with any applicable financial criteria set by IRCC or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
In all cases, sponsors are legally responsible for the sponsored individual for the duration of the undertaking, regardless of changes in circumstances such as divorce, separation, or change in financial status.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A sponsorship undertaking is a legal agreement in which the sponsor commits to providing financial support for the basic needs of the sponsored family member. This includes food, shelter, clothing, and any health or dental care not covered by public insurance. The undertaking ensures that the sponsored person will not need to rely on government social assistance.
Canada offers two main sponsorship classes based on where the sponsored person is living at the time of application:
- Family Class (Outland Sponsorship):
This stream is for applicants who live outside Canada or who choose to have their application processed through a visa office abroad. It allows the sponsored person to travel in and out of Canada during processing, provided they have a valid visa. If the application is refused, the sponsor has the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD). - Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (Inland Sponsorship):
This stream is for applicants who are already living in Canada, usually on a valid temporary status (e.g., visitor, worker, or student). The sponsored person may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit while their application is being processed. However, if the application is refused, there is no right of appeal to the IAD.
The length of financial responsibility—also called the undertaking period—depends on the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored person:
- Spouse or common-law partner: 3 years
- Dependent Child: 10 years or until the child turns 22 (whichever comes first)
- Parent or Grandparent: 20 years
- Other eligible relatives: Varies by case
During the undertaking period, the sponsor is legally required to repay any government assistance received by the sponsored individual.
An interview is not always required. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request an interview if there are concerns about the genuineness of the relationship or if additional clarification is needed. Providing complete and consistent documentation reduces the likelihood of an interview request.
Yes. A sponsor can request to withdraw their application as long as a final decision has not been made on the permanent residence application. Once permanent resident status is granted, the sponsor cannot cancel the undertaking and will remain financially responsible for the full duration of the commitment.
No minimum income threshold is required to sponsor a spouse or dependent child. However, the sponsor must show that they can meet basic financial obligations and will not require social assistance.
Yes. Multiple sponsorship applications can be submitted if the sponsor meets eligibility criteria and financial requirements for all individuals. For example, a person can sponsor a spouse and dependent child(ren) together or sponsor both parents under the Parents and Grandparents Program.
In many cases, yes. A principal applicant (e.g. a spouse) may include their dependent children in the same application. However, some relationships—such as sponsoring both parents and a grandparent—require separate applications.