Family sponsorship (Canada)
Sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, parents and grandparents, or—in narrow cases—other relatives. Each stream has its own forms, fees, and processing steps on IRCC.
**Family sponsorship** lets eligible Canadians and permanent residents bring certain family members to Canada as **permanent residents**. IRCC runs separate guides for each group; fees, forms, and timelines differ.
**You can sponsor:**
- **Spouse or common-law partner** — married spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner as defined by IRCC, with evidence of a genuine relationship. - **Dependent children** — including natural or adopted children who meet age and dependency rules in the instructions. - **Parents and grandparents** — often through an **interest to sponsor** and invitation process when open; income tests and undertaking length apply. (Long parental visits may instead use a **super visa**—a different program.) - **Other relatives** — only in **limited cases** listed by IRCC (for example specific orphaned relatives or the **last remaining relative** class, where you meet every requirement). Most aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends **cannot** be sponsored.
Always download the **current instruction guide** and document checklist for your stream, pay the correct fees, and submit a complete application. Quebec has **additional provincial selection** steps for sponsors living in Quebec.
This page is for orientation only and is **not** legal advice.
- Correct application package for your streamOften required
Use the spouse/partner/child instructions, the parents and grandparents process, or the other relatives guide—forms differ (for example IMM 1344, IMM 0008, or the PGP interest to sponsor where applicable).
- Proof of sponsor status in CanadaOften required
Evidence you are a Canadian citizen, person registered under the Indian Act, or permanent resident, and that you live in Canada (or meet the limited exception for citizens sponsoring a spouse/partner/child from abroad).
- Relationship documentsOften required
Marriage certificate, common-law proof, birth certificates, adoption orders, or other civil documents as required for your relationship type.
- Identity and travel documentsOften required
Passports, photos, and identity documents for the sponsor and sponsored person(s) per the document checklist.
- Minimum necessary income (when required)
Parents and grandparents and some other streams require showing you meet income thresholds for your family size—use the current LICO tables and instructions.
- Medical exams and police certificatesOften required
The sponsored person(s) normally complete an immigration medical exam and provide police certificates where IRCC requires them.
- Biometrics
Pay the biometrics fee when required and give biometrics at an official collection point.
- Sponsorship and permanent residence fees are listed on the IRCC fee page; amounts change—confirm before you pay.
- Typical components include sponsorship fees, processing fees for the sponsored person(s), right of permanent residence fee where applicable, and biometrics when required.
- Parents and grandparents: you may also need to show you meet minimum income for the sponsorship undertaking; the financial bar is separate from the fee payment.
- Quebec sponsors follow additional provincial steps and fees—use IRCC and MIDI instructions together.
- Sponsors must generally be at least 18 years old, be Canadian citizens, registered under the Indian Act, or permanent residents, and intend to live in Canada when sponsoring (citizens can sponsor a spouse/partner/child from abroad in limited circumstances—see IRCC).
- You must not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, immigration loan, or performance bond; must not be subject to a removal order; and must not be detained—among other bars listed on Canada.ca.
- Spouse or common-law partner: you must prove a genuine relationship; processing may include assessing whether the relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration.
- Dependent children: age, dependency, and adoption rules are defined by IRCC; include children in the same application when instructions allow.
- Parents and grandparents: intake is often managed through an interest to sponsor process and invitation rounds—IRCC announces caps and windows; there is also a super visa for long visits that is not the same as PR sponsorship.
- Other relatives: sponsorship is limited to specific situations (for example certain orphaned close relatives or the last remaining family member option)—most extended family cannot be sponsored under the general family class.
- Informational only—not legal advice. Use official IRCC guides and, for Quebec, MIDI requirements.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always confirm requirements with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer before submitting an application.