Family Sponsorship
As a Canadian Citizen and Permanent resident of Canada, age 18 or over, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children and other eligible relatives to become a permanent resident. You, as a sponsor, are responsible for the financial assistance of your relative(s) and must make sure that your relative(s) will seek no financial assistance from the government. Applicants for permanent residence must go through a medical, criminal and background checks
If you want your family member temporary in Canada (as a Visitor, worker, student or Super visa). Please go to the temporary residence link of the website.
Who can Sponsor?
You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you're at least 18 years of old and:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
- live in Canada or be able to prove that you will live in Canada when the sponsorship application is approved,
- prove that you can meet the basic financial needs of the person you are sponsoring and their dependent children.
You cannot sponsor someone if any of these situations apply to you:
- you have sponsored a previous spouse or partner within the last 3 years
- you receive social assistance other than disability;
- you are in bankruptcy protection;
- you have defaulted on any immigration-related financial obligations;
- you have been convicted of certain sexual and/or violent crimes;
- you were sponsored as a spouse or partner fewer than 5 years ago;
- you are in jail or prison; you are under a removal order to leave Canada.
When you have sponsored someone to live in Canada, you are financially responsible for their well-being for between 3 – 20 years depending on their relationship to you and their circumstances. This means that if the person you have sponsored or their dependent receives social welfare benefits during this time, you are obligated to pay this money back to the province of their residence.
If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor after you get approved as a sponsor.
Who can be Sponsored?
Sponsor may sponsor the following members of the Family Class (subject to meeting eligibility requirements) for Canada Immigration:
- their spouse
- their common-law/same-sex partner
- their conjugal partner
- their dependent children under age twenty-two (22)
- their dependent children age twenty-two (22) and over (if they are mentally or physically disabled and dependent on their parent(s))
- children adopted or to be adopted by them, or under their guardianship
- parents * Program open on specific dates
- grandparents *Program open on specific dates
Minimum Necessary Income for Parents and Grandparents
other prescribed family members (i.e. last remaining family member under humanitarian and compassionate grounds where it is warranted).
As an alternative to the sponsorship of a parent/grandparent, the Government of Canada offers the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa which will be valid for up to ten (10) years. The multiple-entry visa will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time without the need for renewal of their status.
please visit us on FAQ on this topic for more information.
