Family Sponsorship — Bring Your Family to Canada
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members to become permanent residents of Canada. A sponsored family member can live, work, and study in Canada — with the same rights as any other permanent resident.
Spouse, Partner & Children
Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children. No income requirement in most cases. Online application through PR Portal.
- Spouse/common-law partner/conjugal partner
- Dependent children under 22 (or 22+ if dependent on you)
- No income requirement to sponsor spouse alone
- Spouse may apply for open work permit while waiting
Parents & Grandparents
Sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Applications are accepted by invitation only each year based on a lottery-style intake process.
- Annual intake — lottery-style expression of interest
- 2025 intake closed October 9, 2025
- Income requirement: minimum necessary income for 3 years
- Super Visa alternative: up to 5 years per visit
Other Relatives
Sponsor other relatives (orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, grandchildren) — but only in very specific circumstances. Eligibility is narrow and requires meeting strict criteria.
- Orphaned relatives who are brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren
- Must be under 18 and unmarried
- Only if parents are deceased
- Lone relative (no other eligible relative to be sponsored)
Adopted Child
Bring your adopted child to Canada as a permanent resident. There are two processes depending on where the adoption takes place — before or after you come to Canada.
- Adoption must follow Canadian and foreign laws
- Two processes: adoption before or after coming to Canada
- Hague Convention countries have a specific process
- Child must be legally adopted
✅ Quick Eligibility Check — Can You Be a Sponsor?
💰 Fees
| Sponsor a spouse or partner | Check fee list → |
| Sponsor a child | Check fee list → |
| Sponsor parents/grandparents | Check fee list → |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | Check fee list → |
Fees change periodically. Always verify on the official IRCC fee page before applying.
⏱️ Processing Times
Processing times vary by program and application volume. Spouse/partner sponsorship is generally faster than parents/grandparents. Check IRCC's website for current times.
Check current processing times →Who Can Be a Sponsor?
To sponsor a family member, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
✅ You CAN Sponsor If You…
Are at least 18 years old.
Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
Currently live in Canada. Canadian citizens living abroad can sponsor if they prove they will live in Canada when the family member becomes a PR. Permanent residents must live in Canada.
Commit to financially supporting the sponsored person by signing an undertaking and sponsorship agreement.
Meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations.
❌ You CANNOT Sponsor If You…
- Were yourself sponsored by a spouse/partner AND became a PR less than 5 years ago
- Signed an undertaking for a previously sponsored spouse/partner and it has not been 3 years since they became a PR (you are still financially responsible for them)
- Are currently in jail, prison, or a penitentiary
- Are behind on immigration loan payments, performance bonds, or court-ordered family support (alimony/child support)
- Failed to financially support someone you previously sponsored
- Declared bankruptcy and have not been discharged
- Are receiving social assistance (except for disability)
- Were convicted of a violent criminal offence, offence against a relative, or sexual offence
- Are subject to a removal order from Canada
- Have a pending application for the same person already submitted
💵 Income Requirements
No income requirement
In most cases, there is NO income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent child without their own children.
Income required
- Sponsoring a dependent child who has 1+ dependent children of their own
- Sponsoring a spouse/partner who has a dependent child, and that child has 1+ dependent children
Minimum Necessary Income required
Must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for 3 consecutive years before applying. MNI is 1.5× the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size.
If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec's eligibility and income requirements and sign a separate undertaking with the Government of Quebec (MIFI). Do NOT submit your Quebec undertaking application until IRCC confirms your application — if you do not wait, Quebec will not process it.
Quebec sponsorship requirements (MIFI) →Sponsor Your Spouse, Partner, or Children
This is the most common family sponsorship program. Applications are accepted year-round with no annual cap. Your sponsored family member can become a permanent resident of Canada.
Who You Can Sponsor
Legally married to you. Marriage must be legal in both the country where it took place AND in Canada.
Living together continuously for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship. Can be same or different sex.
In a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year but unable to live together or marry due to exceptional circumstances (immigration barriers, persecution, etc.).
Your biological or legally adopted child who is under 22 years old and not a spouse or common-law partner. Children 22+ may qualify if they have depended on you financially since before age 22 due to a physical or mental condition.
Children of your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner who meet the dependent child definition above.
Application Process
Confirm you meet all sponsor requirements and that your family member is eligible. Review IRCC's eligibility guide carefully.
Collect: proof of status in Canada, proof of relationship (marriage certificate, photos, communication history), financial documents, proof of identity, and photos.
Submit your application through IRCC's Permanent Residence Portal. Both sponsor and applicant sections must be completed. Pay the application fees.
The sponsored person (and anyone included in the application) will be asked to provide biometrics — fingerprints and photo — at a designated collection point.
The sponsored person must complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
IRCC processes both the sponsorship and the PR application simultaneously. You may be asked for additional documents. Check your status online.
If approved, the sponsored person receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). They must arrive in Canada before the COPR expires.
If your spouse or common-law partner is already in Canada and has a valid temporary status, they may be able to apply for an Open Work Permit while their PR application is being processed. This lets them work for any eligible employer in Canada.
Open work permit details →📋 Document Checklist
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status
- Proof of identity (passport/PR card)
- Proof of residence in Canada
- Police certificates (if required)
- IMM 1283 (if income requirement applies)
- Marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Evidence of cohabitation (for common-law partners)
- Photos together at different times and places
- Proof of communication (messages, emails, call logs)
- Financial ties (joint accounts, lease, etc.)
- Valid passport (all pages)
- 2 passport-size photos
- Immigration medical exam results
- Police certificates from all countries lived in
- Birth certificate
Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)
Sponsor your parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. This program is highly competitive — applications are accepted by invitation only through an annual lottery-style Expression of Interest process.
The 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program intake closed on October 9, 2025. IRCC sent 17,860 invitations with a goal of accepting 10,000 complete applications. New Ministerial Instructions came into effect January 1, 2026. Details on the next intake will be announced on canada.ca and IRCC social media channels when available.
Check for next intake updates →How the PGP Process Works
When IRCC opens the intake, potential sponsors submit an online "Interest to Sponsor" form. This is NOT an application — it is a registration to be considered for an invitation. The form is available only during the intake window.
IRCC randomly selects sponsors from the pool and sends invitations to apply. You may submit a new form if you were not selected in a previous year.
If selected, IRCC emails you an invitation with a deadline to submit a complete application. You typically have about 90 days to apply after receiving the invitation.
Submit a complete sponsorship and PR application with all required documents. Incomplete applications are returned.
IRCC processes the application. The sponsored person may be interviewed. Medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics are required.
If approved, parents/grandparents receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can land in Canada.
💵 PGP Income Requirement
To sponsor parents or grandparents, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) — which is 1.5× the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) — for 3 consecutive years before applying.
- Employment income (T4 slips)
- Self-employment income (T1 General)
- Net rental income
- Employment insurance benefits
- Maternity/parental benefits
- Notices of Assessment (NOA) for 3 years
- T4 slips and T1 General returns
- Option C printout from CRA
- Employment letter and pay stubs
✈️ Can't Wait for PGP? Try the Super Visa
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with extensions of up to 2 years. While not permanent residence, it is an excellent alternative while waiting for a PGP intake.
- Permanent status in Canada
- Work and study in Canada
- Access to healthcare
- Long wait — annual lottery
- Stay up to 5 years per visit
- Valid for up to 10 years
- Must have private health insurance
- Apply any time — no lottery
- Cannot work or study
Sponsoring Other Relatives
The eligibility to sponsor other relatives is very narrow. Most people will not qualify. Read all conditions carefully before applying.
👨👧 Orphaned Relatives
You may be able to sponsor orphaned relatives who are brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren if:
- They are under 18 years old
- They are not married or in a common-law relationship
- Both their parents are deceased
🧑 Lone Relative
You may be eligible to sponsor a relative of any age or relationship if:
- You do not have a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son, daughter, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or any other relative who is a Canadian citizen, PR, or registered Indian
- This is essentially the "lone relative" exception — you have no other eligible family in Canada
Sponsoring an adopted child follows a separate process under the International Adoption program — not the family sponsorship for "other relatives" route. Visit the IRCC adoption page for the correct process.
International adoption process →Undertaking — Your Sponsorship Commitment
When you sponsor a family member, you sign a legally binding undertaking — a promise to financially support the sponsored person so they do not need to apply for social assistance. This is a serious legal commitment.
Undertaking Duration by Relationship
| Person You Sponsor | Length of Undertaking | Starts When |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner | 3 years | Family member becomes a PR |
| Dependent children (22+ at time of application) | 3 years | Family member becomes a PR |
| Dependent children (under 22 at time of application) | 10 years OR until they turn 25 (whichever comes first) | Family member becomes a PR |
| Parents or grandparents | 20 years | Family member becomes a PR |
| Other relatives (orphaned / lone relative) | 10 years | Family member becomes a PR |
What the Undertaking Means for You
You must provide the sponsored person with basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, utilities, personal requirements, and dental and eye care not covered by provincial health plans.
You must cover health care expenses not covered by provincial or territorial health insurance during the first 3 months in Canada and for any gaps in coverage.
If the sponsored person receives social assistance (welfare), the government can require you to repay the amount. This can happen even if your relationship ends or the sponsored person is not following instructions from the court.
The undertaking is a legally binding contract. Breaking it has serious consequences including debt collection by the government. The undertaking stays in force for the full duration even if you divorce or separate.
If you divorce or separate from a sponsored spouse, your undertaking responsibility still continues for the full 3-year period. You cannot cancel the undertaking because your relationship ended.
If you are still within the undertaking period for a previously sponsored person and have not met your obligations, you may not be eligible to sponsor again until you fulfill those obligations.
IRCC provides a detailed guide explaining exactly what you agree to when you sign an undertaking. Read it fully before submitting any sponsorship application.
What it means to be a sponsor (IRCC guide) →Support & Safety Resources
Experiencing Abuse or Violence? You Have Options.
If you came to Canada as a sponsored spouse or partner and are experiencing abuse, neglect, or violence, you have immigration rights and options to protect yourself — regardless of your sponsorship status. You will not be deported simply for leaving an abusive relationship.
🔓 Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers
If you are experiencing or at risk of abuse from your sponsor, you may be eligible for an open work permit that lets you leave the situation and support yourself financially.
- Free to apply (no processing fee)
- Work for any eligible employer
- Does not affect your PR application
- Can stay in Canada while PR is processed
📋 Immigration Options for Family Violence Victims
IRCC has specific options to help those experiencing family violence stay in Canada, including temporary residence permits and policy exemptions.
- Temporary resident permits for urgent situations
- Humanitarian and compassionate grounds applications
- PR applications can continue independently
- Your information is kept confidential from the abuser
🆘 Identify Abuse & Get Help
Abuse can take many forms — physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or neglect. If you are being controlled, threatened, or harmed by your sponsor, this is abuse.
- You have the right to leave the relationship
- You are not required to live with your sponsor
- Call 911 in an emergency
- Contact local shelters or crisis lines for help
⚖️ Your Rights as a Sponsored Person
📞 Emergency & Support Contacts
🤝 How to Get Help
Organizations across Canada can offer you support or helpful information. Services are confidential. You might feel:
- Very alone in Canada
- Afraid to speak up because of your immigration status
- Unable to communicate in English or French
- Confused about your rights under Canadian law
These feelings are common. Help is available in many languages and is kept confidential. Your abuser's immigration status is not at risk when you seek help.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), last updated March 2026. Reproduced from official canada.ca content. Canada Visa Updates is independent and not affiliated with the Government of Canada. View original on canada.ca →