Family Sponsorship
Find ways to bring your family members from abroad to live in Canada as permanent residents.
Overview of Canadian Family Sponsorship
Family reunification is one of the pillars of Canada's immigration system. Since the end of the Second World War, Canada has sought to welcome immigrants to strengthen its economy, bring families together, and on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
The family class is the second largest category of newcomers welcomed by Canada under its Immigration Levels Plan. Canada is pursuing the highest levels of immigration in its history to support its post-COVID economic recovery. As such, Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants per year, of which, over 100,000 immigrants per year fall under the family class.
The country's immigration system is managed by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC for short. The department was previously known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC for short. IRCC establishes and administers Canada's family sponsorship program. This entails establishing program criteria, accepting and reviewing family sponsorship applications, and providing permanent and temporary resident visas.
There are two main aspects to sponsorship:
- It allows your family member to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence (PR).
- It requires you, as an individual, to make a commitment to provide for basic needs and to support that person financially.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Spouse or Partner
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to become a permanent resident.
- Legally married spouse
- Common-law partner (lived together for at least 12 months)
- Conjugal partner (in exceptional circumstances)
Dependent Children
You can sponsor your dependent children who are under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Biological children
- Adopted children
- Children over 22 with certain physical or mental conditions
Parents and Grandparents
You may be able to sponsor your parents and grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents.
- Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
- Super Visa (temporary stay up to 5 years)
Other Relatives
In specific circumstances, you may be able to sponsor other relatives.
- Orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren under 18
- Other relatives (in specific circumstances)
Sponsorship Process
- 1
Determine Eligibility
Confirm that both you (the sponsor) and your family member (the sponsored person) meet the eligibility requirements.
- 2
Submit Application
Complete and submit both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application together.
- 3
Application Processing
Immigration officials will review your application and may request additional documents or information.
- 4
Medical and Security Checks
Your sponsored family member will need to pass medical examinations and security/background checks.
- 5
Final Decision
If approved, your family member will receive their permanent resident visa and can come to Canada.
Sponsorship Obligations
When you sponsor a family member, you sign an undertaking promising to provide financial support for your sponsored relative. The length of the undertaking depends on your relationship to the sponsored person:
- Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner: 3 years
- Dependent child: 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first
- Parents and grandparents: 20 years
- Other relatives: 3 to 10 years, depending on the relationship and age
Ready to reunite with your family in Canada?
Our team can help you navigate the family sponsorship process and increase your chances of success.