Your Path to Sponsorship for Family Members
Family sponsorship is a program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close relatives for permanent residence in Canada. The aim of the program is to reunite families and help them build a life together in Canada. Eligible relatives for sponsorship include spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. The sponsor must meet certain financial requirements to prove they can support their relatives, and the sponsored individual must pass health, security, and criminal background checks. Family sponsorship is a highly sought-after immigration option due to its focus on maintaining family unity, which is a core value of Canada’s immigration system.
Key Highlight
Eligibility
- To be eligible as a sponsor, you must meet the following criteria
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be able to financially support the family member you are sponsoring and ensure they do not rely on social assistance.
- Not be in default of previous sponsorship agreements (e.g., failed to meet obligations for past sponsorship).
- Not have been convicted of a serious criminal offense or been incarcerated for an extended period.
- For the sponsored individual, they must
- Be the spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, parent, or grandparent of the sponsor.
- Meet health and security requirements, including medical exams and background checks
How to Apply
To apply for Canada Family Sponsorship, the sponsor-the Canadian citizen or permanent resident-must submit the online application form along with required application forms to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application must be supported by a set of documents to prove the sponsor's eligibility and the relationship with the applicant. The sponsor must also prove that he can financially support the sponsored family member so that they will not become a burden to the government. After submitting the application, the family member will undergo background checks, medical exams, and other security screenings before a decision is made.
Documents
- Both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must submit various documents as part of the application. Commonly required documents include
- Proof of Identity: Valid passports, birth certificates, or government-issued IDs.
- Relationship Documents: Marriage certificates, proof of common-law status, birth certificates for children, etc.
- Proof of Financial Support: Pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and other documents to show you can support the sponsored individual.
- Medical Exam: A medical exam conducted by an approved panel physician.
- Criminal Background Check: Police certificates from all countries where the sponsored individual has lived for six months or more since turning 18.
- Immigration Forms: Specific forms required for Family Sponsorship, which can be found on the IRCC website.
- It's important to ensure that all required documents are submitted accurately to avoid delays in processing.
Application Fee
- As of 2025, the application fees for Canada's Family Sponsorship program are as follows
- Spouse, Common-law Partner, or Dependent Child
- Sponsorship Fee: CAD $85
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: CAD $545
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD $575
- Total Application Fee: CAD $1,205
- Including a Dependent Child CAD $175 per child
- Parent or Grandparent
- Total Application Fee: CAD $1,205
- Sponsorship Fee: CAD $85
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee: CAD $545
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD $575
- Additional Fees
- Biometrics Fee: CAD $85 per person
Processing Time
The processing time varies depending on the type of family member being sponsored and where the application is processed. For example, a spouse or common-law partner's processing time usually falls between 12 to 24 months. The processing time for parent and grandparent sponsorships can extend up to 20 to 36 months or more. Processing time might be affected due to various factors, such as the completeness of the application, additional documentation, or security checks. All submitted documents should be correctly done in order not to delay the process.
Advantages
- The major advantage of Family Sponsorship is that it allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring in family members in order to restore unity among their loved ones in Canada.
- Permanent Residency
- Sponsored family members are granted permanent residency status and can live, work, and study in Canada without time restrictions.
- Social Benefits
- Sponsored persons can access the healthcare system, education system, and other social services in Canada, enhancing their quality of life.
- Path to Citizenship
- The sponsored family member can apply for Canadian citizenship after holding permanent residency for a specific period, which is usually 3 years, and this citizenship provides full rights and responsibilities.
- No Job Offer Needed
- The sponsored person is not required to have a job offer, making Family Sponsorship a perfect immigration program for family reunification.
other important FAQs
What is family sponsorship in Canada?
Family sponsorship is the program of Canada, by which a citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a member of their family to settle in Canada as permanent residents. It is created with the intent to reunify families by sponsoring their spouse, children, parents, or any close relative and settle them in Canada.
The sponsor must meet specific eligibility criteria, including income requirements, and must agree to support their family members financially for a set period. Family sponsorship is an essential part of Canada's immigration system, prioritizing family reunification and helping maintain close family bonds across borders.
Who can sponsor a family member?
If you want to sponsor a relative, you need to be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency in Canada. You must be 18 years of age or older and show you can support your relative. This means proving you earn enough money, based on your family's size and the type of relative you're bringing over. You cannot receive social security unless you are disabled and cannot have any continuing sponsorship obligations. You also must agree to support your family member for a fixed period between three and ten years, depending on your relationship.
What are the requirements for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner?
To sponsor as a spouse or common-law partner, there must be proof that the spouse has a relationship that is existing and ongoing. That relationship to the spouse, marriage or common-law partnership must be established to be bona fide. There has to be evidence presented by common-law partners that they have been living together for at least one year. There should also be proof that he can sustain himself financially and prove income requirements with all the relevant documents. In the case of marriage, the couple is supposed to produce evidence that will prove the authenticity of their union, like joint financial documents, shared responsibilities, or photos. Both individuals have to undergo medical examinations and security background checks as well.
Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
Yes, sponsorship is available to parents and grandparents. As Canadian or permanently residing in a citizen, one can sponsor their parents or grandparents; However, the rules for sponsorship are stiff. To allow sponsorship, sponsors must complete the high-income area when they become prioritized applicants. The program consists of an annual hood on the widely accepted numbers, which may indicate that it contains a lottery or first comes to apply, the mechanisms found first. Applications require that the sponsor show that parents or grandparents have sufficient income to support the parents or grandparents financially for a minimum prescribed period after they came to Canada. The application process for parents and grandparents’ sponsors is more competitive due to the limited locations available.
What is the processing time for family sponsorship applications?
Processing time for family sponsorship may vary depending on several factors, including the type of sponsorship, volume of applications obtained and perfection of application. On average, the processes for an average sponsorship of spouse and partner can be about 12 months, while applications for parents and grandparents can sometimes take 24 months or more. Factors such as examining the original country, medical and criminal background of the applicant can affect the treatment time. Applicants should be prepared for potentially long waiting times, but they can track their application status online through the official immigration portal.
How much income do I need to qualify as a sponsor?
Becoming a sponsor, he/she has to be in a position of meeting a specific level of income so that he can prove that he can support the family members that he is sponsoring. The amount depends on the number of people in the household of the sponsor, including himself and his family members. This threshold is calculated using the Low-Income Measure (LIM), which is often derived from the most recent Notice of Assessment from the sponsor's tax returns. Sponsors of parents or grandparents, or sponsoring a larger family, may need a higher threshold of income. The income requirement has to be met before an application for sponsorship can be submitted because if it is not, then the application could be rejected.
Who can be sponsored under the family sponsorship program?
The family sponsorship program lets the Canadian citizen and permanent resident sponsor several different members of their family. Most eligible persons for sponsorship are spouses or common law spouses, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Other family members; orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, who may be eligible for sponsoring in particular cases. It is important to read the criteria for eligibility for the program since there are rigid rules on who qualifies, with regard to such factors as age, type of relationship, and dependency status.
What is the “undertaking” in the family sponsorship process?
The "undertaking" refers to the legal and financial commitment a sponsor makes by deciding to support their sponsored family member once they arrive in Canada. The undertaking obligates the sponsor to provide the individual with financial support for an agreed-upon period to assist him or her in meeting his or her basic needs for living. The period of sponsorship differs according to the type of family member being sponsored. However, it can range from three years for a spouse or partner to ten years for parents or grandparents. The obligation is that the sponsored person does not need government assistance in that duration. The sponsor has to be prepared for this responsibility, but a poor performance in fulfilling the obligation may attract legal implications.
Can I sponsor a family member if I am receiving social assistance?
Generally, you cannot sponsor a family member if you are receiving social assistance, except where the sponsor is receiving social assistance because of a disability. Canadian immigration authorities require that the sponsors demonstrate financial stability and an ability to support the sponsored family members without having to rely on government aid. If currently on social assistance, you would need to provide additional information regarding your financial circumstances and the plans you have for meeting your obligations as a sponsor. In some cases, having a co-signer with sufficient income may help meet the financial requirements, but this is done on a case-by-case basis.
Can I sponsor a family member if I live outside Canada?
In most cases, you must be living in Canada to sponsor a family member. However, there are exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when the sponsor is a Canadian citizen living abroad. Permanent residents who live outside Canada cannot generally sponsor family members until they return to Canada to resume their permanent resident status. Canadian citizens residing outside Canada can still sponsor a spouse, dependent children, or other close family members, as long as they plan to return to Canada and fulfil the sponsorship obligations. It's crucial to check the specific guidelines regarding the sponsor's residency status and the applicant’s situation before applying.