Family Class Sponsorship

Who can you sponsor to Canada?

Spouses, partners and children

A spouse or partner must be at least 18. For common-law partners, short temporary absences can be compatible with the required continuous cohabitation, but an ongoing long-distance relationship is not the same as living together.

A dependent child generally must be under 22 and without a spouse or common-law partner. A child aged 22 or older may qualify where a physical or mental condition prevents financial self-support and dependency began before 22. Review the complete IRCC relationship requirements, including admissibility.

Parents and grandparents: check intake before preparing an application

As checked November 12, 2026, IRCC has paused new interest-to-sponsor forms and invitations until further notice while continuing existing applications. Do not assume that meeting the income requirement allows you to submit a new application today. Check the official intake notice.

A Super Visa may be an alternative for an extended visit. It is temporary residence, not approval for permanent residence or a substitute for a sponsorship invitation.

Can you sponsor a sibling, niece, nephew or other relative?

There is no general program to sponsor any relative you choose. One limited route covers an unmarried orphaned sibling, niece, nephew or grandchild under 18, related by blood or adoption, whose parents have both died. A separate other-relative rule depends on the sponsor having no specified living relative they could sponsor instead and no specified relative with Canadian citizenship, PR or registered status. These conditions need individual review.

Can you qualify as a sponsor?

For spouse, partner or child sponsorship, the sponsor generally must be at least 18, hold eligible Canadian status and live in Canada. A Canadian citizen abroad may qualify with evidence of plans to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a PR. A permanent resident living abroad cannot use that exception.

Past sponsorship obligations, certain convictions, an effective removal order, unresolved financial defaults or social assistance other than for disability may affect eligibility. Other bars can apply. Review IRCC's sponsor eligibility rules before paying for documents or submitting an application.

Is inland or Family Class processing appropriate?

For a spouse or common-law partner, the appropriate class depends on living arrangements and the applicable criteria. Discuss travel plans, current status, cohabitation and possible remedies after refusal before selecting a route. A person being in Canada does not make every application identical.

A sponsorship application does not itself extend temporary status or authorize work. Eligible sponsored family members may qualify for a separate open work permit under current conditions. Check the requirements for the particular applicant and do not start work without authorization.

Income requirements and the sponsorship undertaking

Most spouse, partner and dependent-child sponsorships have no fixed minimum-income threshold, but the sponsor must still be able to provide support. An income threshold can apply where a sponsored child has their own dependent child, including in a spouse's family. Parents/grandparents and other-relative routes have different financial rules.

The undertaking is a binding commitment to provide basic needs and repay applicable social assistance during the undertaking period. For a spouse or partner outside Quebec, it lasts three years from the date they become a permanent resident. Separation or a later change in your finances does not simply cancel it.

Children's undertaking periods depend on age. Quebec has its own undertaking process and rules. Read what it means to be a sponsor before signing.

What changes if you live in Quebec?

Federal processing and Quebec's undertaking requirements must both be considered. Follow IRCC's instruction about when to submit the provincial undertaking, and verify current provincial intake conditions and fees. Do not assume that a federal application alone completes the Quebec requirements.

Review my family's options

How the family sponsorship process works

1. Confirm the relationship category and intake. Choose a route supported by your facts.
2. Assess the sponsor and applicant separately. Identify status, financial, relationship or admissibility issues early.
3. Gather evidence. Build a clear timeline and collect the current checklist documents.
4. Prepare both applications. Spouse, partner and child sponsorship normally combines the sponsorship and PR applications through the Permanent Residence Portal.
5. Pay the correct fees and submit a complete file. Follow the current signatures, document and country-specific instructions.
6. Respond during processing. Monitor requests and report relevant changes rather than assuming submission is the final step.

Use IRCC's current application instructions. Different family categories can have different procedures. Declare all required family members, including non-accompanying family members; omissions can have serious consequences for future sponsorship.

What evidence should you organize?

Use the official checklist as the controlling document. More pages do not necessarily mean stronger evidence: organize records so the officer can understand what each one proves. Avoid unexplained contradictions between dates, addresses and previous immigration applications.

Government fees and processing times

As checked November 12, 2026, the federal spouse/partner sponsorship total is CAD $1,260 including the right of permanent residence fee. Sponsoring a dependent child starts at $180. Biometrics, additional dependants, medical examinations, translations and Quebec fees may add costs. Professional service fees are separate. Verify the current government fee list before paying.

Processing varies by category, destination, application completeness and further review. Check IRCC's current processing times rather than relying on a fixed promise. Prepare a realistic plan for housing, work authorization, travel and maintaining temporary status during the wait.

Common problems and options after a refusal

Frequent risks include choosing an unsuitable relationship category, relying on weak cohabitation evidence, omitting family members, submitting inconsistent histories or overlooking sponsor restrictions. If a document is unavailable, explain why and assess acceptable alternatives instead of fabricating it.

A procedural fairness letter is an opportunity to address specified concerns before a decision. After refusal, options depend on the class, reasons and circumstances; an appeal, judicial review or a new application is not available or appropriate in every case. Obtain advice promptly because deadlines can be short.

Family sponsorship FAQs

Make a practical reunification plan

Bring your relationship timeline, current immigration status, intended province and any previous decisions to your assessment.

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Akrami & Associates · Meet our team. General information, not advice on an individual case.