Family Sponsorship in Canada

Bring your loved ones closer with experienced, personalized immigration support.

Family reunification is at the heart of Canada’s immigration system. If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act, you may be eligible to sponsor certain family members for permanent residence. Euro Consultants Canada helps sponsors and applicants understand the requirements, prepare complete documentation, and navigate the process with confidence.

Ready to explore your options? Book a consultation with our experienced immigration team for a personalized assessment of your family sponsorship case.

Who Can You Sponsor?

Depending on your circumstances and the applicable program, eligible family members may include:

• Spouse: A person to whom you are legally married. Spousal Sponsorship
• Common-law partner: A partner with whom you have lived in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months-Common Law Partner
• Conjugal partner: A partner with whom you have been in a committed relationship for at least one year but cannot marry or live together because of significant legal, immigration, social, cultural, or similar barriers –Conjugal Partner
• Dependent children: Biological or adopted children who meet the applicable dependency requirements-Dependent Children
• Parents and grandparents: Sponsorship may be available when the federal program is open and the sponsor meets its invitation, income, and other requirements-PGP Sponsorship
• Certain other relatives: In limited circumstances, an orphaned close relative or another eligible relative may qualify- Sponsor Your Relative

Basic Sponsor Eligibility

In general, a sponsor must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act.
• Meet the applicable residence requirements.
• Sign an undertaking and sponsorship agreement to provide financial support for the sponsored person.
• Not be barred from sponsoring because of factors such as an undischarged bankruptcy, certain criminal convictions, sponsorship default, unpaid family support, or receipt of social assistance other than for disability.

Income requirements vary by sponsorship category. In most spouse, partner, and dependent-child cases, there is no minimum income requirement unless the sponsored person has dependent children of their own. Parent and grandparent sponsorship has separate financial requirements.

How the Family Sponsorship Process Works

1. Initial assessment: We review the sponsor’s eligibility, the family relationship, and any potential admissibility or documentation concerns.
2. Application strategy: We identify the correct sponsorship category and create a tailored document plan.
3. Forms and evidence: We help organize forms, civil-status records, financial documents, proof of relationship, and other supporting evidence.
4. Application review and submission: We check the package for accuracy, consistency, and completeness before submission through the appropriate process.
5. Ongoing support: We assist with procedural updates, document requests, and communications throughout processing.

Why Choose Euro Consultants Canada?

• Experienced representation: Guidance from a licensed Canadian immigration consultant with experience across family-class and complex immigration matters.
• Personalized service: Advice and document planning tailored to your family’s circumstances.
• Careful preparation: A detailed review designed to reduce avoidable errors, omissions, and delays.
• Clear communication: Practical explanations of requirements, responsibilities, and next steps.
• Support for complex cases: Assistance with prior refusals, inadmissibility concerns, procedural fairness matters, and appeals where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sponsor my spouse or partner if they are already in Canada?

Possibly. The appropriate application pathway depends on the person’s location, immigration status, travel needs, and other circumstances. A case-specific assessment can help determine the best approach.

Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?

Usually not. A financial threshold generally applies only in limited spouse, partner, or child cases involving dependent children of dependent children. Sponsors must still sign an undertaking and show that they can meet their sponsorship obligations.

How long does family sponsorship take?

Processing times vary by category, country, application volume, and case complexity. Current estimates should always be checked directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Can a previous refusal be addressed?

A refusal does not always end the matter. Depending on the reasons and the available evidence, options may include reapplying, requesting reconsideration, or pursuing an appeal where a right of appeal exists.

Start Your Family Sponsorship Journey

Every family sponsorship application is different. Get professional guidance on eligibility, documentation, and the steps ahead. Contact Euro Consultants Canada today to book a consultation.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration programs, criteria, forms, fees, and processing procedures may change. Eligibility and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and decisions by Canadian immigration authorities. No result can be guaranteed.  

Family Sponsorship in Canada: Frequently Asked Questions

A practical guide for sponsors and family members

Important: This FAQ provides general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees, forms and processing times can change. Check the official Government of Canada website before applying. Information reviewed October 7, 2026.

General Questions

1. What is family sponsorship?

Family sponsorship allows an eligible Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered in Canada under the Indian Act to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence. A successful applicant may live, work and study in Canada as a permanent resident.

2. Who can be sponsored?

Depending on the program and the circumstances, a sponsor may be able to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child, parent, grandparent, adopted child or certain other relatives. Each category has its own eligibility rules.

3. Who can be a sponsor?

For a spouse, partner or dependent child, a sponsor generally must be at least 18 years old; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act; live in Canada; and sign an undertaking to support the sponsored person. A Canadian citizen living abroad may qualify if they show that they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor.

4. What can make someone ineligible to sponsor?

Common barriers include being in prison; being in default of certain immigration loans, support payments or a previous sponsorship undertaking; receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability; being an undischarged bankrupt in a category where that restriction applies; or being subject to certain removal orders or criminal inadmissibility rules. A person sponsored as a spouse or partner may also face a five-year bar on sponsoring a new spouse or partner, and a sponsor may remain bound by a previous three-year spousal undertaking.

Relationships, Dependants and Financial Responsibility

5. What is a common-law partner?

For immigration purposes, a common-law partner is generally someone who has lived with the sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Short, temporary absences may be acceptable, but the couple should provide evidence that they combined their lives.

6. Who qualifies as a dependent child?

A child is generally dependent if they are under 22 years old and do not have a spouse or common-law partner. A child aged 22 or older may qualify if they have depended substantially on a parent for financial support since before age 22 and cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition. The child must continue to meet the applicable requirements while the application is processed.

7. Is there a minimum income requirement?

In most spouse, partner and dependent-child cases, there is no minimum income threshold. An income requirement may apply where a sponsored dependent child has a dependent child of their own, or where a sponsored spouse or partner has a dependent child who also has a dependent child. Parent and grandparent sponsorship has separate income rules, generally requiring proof of sufficient income for the three tax years before applying. Quebec has its own financial criteria.

8. How long is the sponsor financially responsible?

Outside Quebec, the undertaking is generally three years for a spouse or partner; three years for a dependent child who is 22 or older; and 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first, for a dependent child under 22. The period starts when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Quebec undertaking periods differ.

9. What does the undertaking cover?

The sponsor agrees to provide basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter and health-related needs not covered by public health services. If the sponsored person receives social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may have to repay it. Separation, divorce, unemployment, a move or the sponsored person becoming a citizen does not cancel the undertaking.

Application Process

10. How do we apply?

For spouse, partner and child sponsorship, there are two linked applications: the sponsor applies to be approved as a sponsor, and the family member applies for permanent residence. The principal applicant normally submits both applications together online through the Permanent Residence Portal. Use the current application package and category-specific document checklist.

11. What documents are usually required?

Requirements vary, but applicants commonly provide identity and civil-status documents, proof of the relationship, passports, photographs, police certificates, medical examination results when requested, and evidence relating to the sponsor’s status and eligibility. Spouses and partners should provide credible evidence that the relationship is genuine, such as shared residence, financial arrangements, communication and recognition by family or friends.

12. Must all family members be declared?

Yes. Applicants must declare all family members, including those who are not accompanying them to Canada. Family members generally must also be examined when required. Failing to declare or have a family member examined can create serious problems and may prevent future sponsorship.

13. How much does it cost?

Government fees depend on the category and can include sponsorship, processing, right of permanent residence and biometrics fees. Medical exams, police certificates, translations, document procurement and representative fees may be additional. Confirm the current total using IRCC’s official fee information before paying.

14. How long does processing take?

Processing times vary by category, location, application completeness, background checks, annual admissions levels and how quickly the parties respond to requests. Published times are estimates, not guarantees. Check IRCC’s current processing-time tool and application-status service for updates.

15. Can the sponsored spouse or partner work while waiting?

In some in-Canada cases, a sponsored spouse or partner may be eligible for an open work permit after meeting the applicable requirements. Eligibility is not automatic, so check the current instructions before applying.

Special Situations

16. Are the rules different in Quebec?

Yes. The federal government assesses the permanent residence application, while Quebec has a separate sponsorship undertaking and provincial eligibility requirements. Do not submit the Quebec undertaking until instructed to do so by IRCC.

17. Can parents or grandparents be sponsored now?

The Parents and Grandparents Program is currently paused for new interest-to-sponsor forms and new invitations until further notice, although existing applications continue to be processed. Applicants should rely on the latest official intake notice because the program’s status can change.

18. What is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a temporary option for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians. It can allow stays of up to five years at a time and multiple entries for up to 10 years. The host must meet the applicable income requirement and issue an invitation, while the applicant must meet requirements that include medical insurance, a medical examination and visitor admissibility.

19. Can a sponsorship application be withdrawn?

A sponsor may request withdrawal before the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Whether fees are refunded depends on the processing stage. Once permanent residence is granted, the undertaking cannot be cancelled or shortened.

20. What if the application is refused?

Read the refusal letter carefully. Depending on the category and facts, options may include correcting the issue and reapplying, appealing to the Immigration Appeal Division, or seeking judicial review at the Federal Court. Deadlines can be short, so obtain qualified legal advice promptly.

21. Do we need an immigration representative?

No. Applicants may apply on their own. If you pay someone for immigration advice or representation, confirm that the person is authorized under Canadian law. A representative cannot guarantee approval or special treatment.

Official Resources and Next Steps

Before applying:

1. Identify the correct sponsorship category.
2. Confirm that both the sponsor and the applicant are eligible.
3. Download the current document checklist and forms.
4. Gather complete, consistent relationship and civil-status evidence.
5. Confirm current fees and processing times.
6. Keep copies of the full application and all submissions.

Official information:

• Family sponsorship overview
• Sponsor a spouse, partner or child
• Sponsor eligibility
• Parents and Grandparents Program
• Parent and Grandparent Super Visa