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Family Reunification

Family Sponsorship

Planning to reunite with a family member in Canada? An eligible Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act may be able to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence.

Eligibility depends on the family relationship, the sponsor’s status and residence, financial requirements, and the sponsorship category.

01 What Is Family Sponsorship?

Family sponsorship allows eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and persons registered under the Indian Act to sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents of Canada.

A family sponsorship case normally includes two connected applications: the sponsor applies to become an approved sponsor, and the family member applies for permanent residence. Both must meet the applicable requirements.

The person being sponsored and their family members must also meet medical, criminal, security, and other immigration requirements.

02 Who Can Sponsor?

The requirements vary by sponsorship category. In general, a sponsor must:

  • be at least 18 years old;
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act;
  • live in Canada, subject to limited exceptions for Canadian citizens living outside Canada;
  • sign an undertaking agreeing to provide financial support; and
  • meet any applicable income requirements.

A Canadian citizen living outside Canada may be able to sponsor a spouse, partner, or dependent child if they show that they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor.

When You May Not Be Eligible to Sponsor

  • receive social assistance for a reason other than disability;
  • have not met the obligations of a previous sponsorship;
  • have not made certain required payments, such as court-ordered family support payments;
  • are an undischarged bankrupt;
  • are in prison;
  • are subject to a removal order;
  • have certain criminal convictions; or
  • are subject to a restriction arising from a previous sponsorship.
Sponsors living in Quebec must also meet provincial requirements and complete an undertaking with the Government of Quebec when instructed to do so.

03 Who Can You Sponsor?

Depending on your circumstances and the applicable program, explore the family members who may be sponsored.

Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner

Spouse: A person to whom you are legally married. The marriage must be legally valid in both the country where it took place and Canada. The relationship must be genuine and must not have been entered into primarily for immigration purposes.

Common-law partner: Your common-law partner must have lived with you in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Short and temporary absences may be acceptable, but you must show that you established and maintained a genuine common-law relationship.

Conjugal partner: A person who lives outside Canada and has been in a genuine and mutually dependent relationship with you for at least one year. This category generally applies where serious legal, immigration, social, cultural, religious, or similar barriers prevent you from marrying or living together.

Dependent Child

A child generally qualifies as a dependent if they are under 22 years old and do not have a spouse or common-law partner. A child aged 22 or older may qualify if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before turning 22 and cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.

Parents or Grandparents

You may be able to sponsor your biological or adopted parents and grandparents when IRCC accepts applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. This program normally has specific intake, invitation, residence, and income requirements.

Other Relatives

An orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild may qualify if they are under 18 years old, not married or in a common-law relationship, and both parents have died.

One other relative may qualify in very limited circumstances if the sponsor has no living relative they could otherwise sponsor and no qualifying relative who is already a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act.

04 What Are a Sponsor’s Responsibilities?

A sponsor must sign an undertaking promising to provide the sponsored person with basic needs, such as food, clothing, housing, and health-related expenses not covered by public health insurance. The undertaking begins when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.

3
years

Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner

The undertaking lasts three years.

10
years

Dependent Child Under 22

The undertaking lasts ten years or until the child turns 25, whichever occurs first.

3
years

Dependent Child 22 or Older

The undertaking lasts three years.

Up to
20

Certain Other Relatives

The period varies and may be as long as 20 years.

The undertaking normally continues even if the relationship changes, the sponsor experiences financial difficulty, either person moves to another province or country, or the sponsored person becomes a Canadian citizen.

05 How to Apply

The exact process depends on the family member being sponsored. The usual steps are:

Confirm Eligibility and the Correct Category

Make sure both the sponsor and the family member meet the applicable requirements. For programs with controlled intake, confirm that applications are being accepted and that the sponsor is authorized or invited to apply.

Gather the Required Documents

Complete the forms and collect identity, civil-status, relationship, financial, and other supporting documents required for the category and country of residence.

Submit Both Applications

The sponsorship application and the family member’s permanent residence application are generally submitted together online through the appropriate permanent residence portal.

Respond to IRCC Requests

IRCC may request biometrics, medical examinations, police certificates, updated forms, an interview, or additional documents.

Receive the Decision

If approved, IRCC will provide instructions for the sponsored person to become a permanent resident.

06 Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a minimum income to sponsor a family member?+
It depends on the sponsorship category. A specific income requirement usually does not apply when sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child, except in limited situations. Income requirements generally apply to parents, grandparents, and certain other relatives.
Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents at any time?+
No. The Parents and Grandparents Program does not accept new applications continuously. IRCC controls the intake process, and an invitation may be required. Check the program’s current status before preparing an application.
Can I sponsor a brother or sister?+
Only in limited circumstances. An orphaned sibling may qualify if they are under 18, single, and both parents have died. Another relative may qualify only under a narrow exception when the sponsor has no other qualifying relatives.
Can a temporary resident sponsor a family member?+
No. A visitor, worker, or student cannot sponsor based only on temporary resident status. The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act.
Can I cancel a sponsorship application?+
You may request withdrawal before the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Once permanent residence is granted, the undertaking generally cannot be cancelled or shortened.
Does sponsorship guarantee permanent residence?+
No. IRCC must approve the sponsor and determine that the family member qualifies for permanent residence and is admissible to Canada.

Talk to a Licensed Expert

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