Programs of Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship to Canada
The Family Sponsorship Program is designed to reunite families by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor loved ones to move to Canada.
This category ranks second in terms of the number of new immigrants, second only to economic immigration.
Who can be sponsored?
Spouses and common-law partners
Dependent children (biological or adopted)
Children for adoption in Canada
Parents & grandparents
Brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren (if they are orphans, under 18 years old and unmarried)
Any other relative, if the sponsor has no other family members in Canada and no immediate relatives who can be sponsored
The application may also include family members of the main applicant: spouses and children (e.g. children of sponsored parents or a spouse of a sponsored relative)
Basic requirements for a sponsor:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Reside in Canada or intend to reside in Canada once sponsored relatives obtain permanent status (only for Canadian citizens)
- Prove that you have sufficient funds to support the sponsored relatives (the amount depends on who you sponsor)
- Sign an undertaking to provide financial support to a sponsored relative for up to 20 years (depending on age and degree of relationship)
- Confirm that you do not receive social assistance (except for disability)
- The sponsored relative must also agree to support themselves.
You will not be able to sponsor a relative if:
- You declared bankruptcy
- You did not pay back alimony, child support, or immigration loan
- You are in prison
- You were convicted of certain crimes
If you need assistance, our team of experts can help you navigate the Family Sponsorship program requirements and apply for a successful reunification with your loved ones in Canada.
Start the process of reuniting with your loved ones in Canada
Important: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration requirements may change, please check the official resources for up-to-date information.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Processing times vary depending on the type of application submitted.
Information on processing times can be checked at official website.
No, you must be a permanent resident or citizen at the time of applying for sponsorship.
Yes, if you are a Canadian citizen and can demonstrate your intention to return to Canada when your sponsored relatives obtain permanent residence. This rule does not apply to permanent residents, who must apply from within Canada.
A dependent is defined as a person under the age of 22 who is unmarried, or a person over the age of 22 who is financially dependent on a parent due to a physical or mental disability.
A spouse or common-law partner may act as a co-sponsor. They must also meet all the sponsor requirements.
Undertaking is a sponsor's commitment to support relatives financially for a specified period of time:
- Spouse / Common-law Partner: 3 years
- Child under 22: 10 years or up to 25 years of age
- Child over 22 years old: 3 years
- Parents & grandparents: 20 years
- Other relatives: 10 years
Sponsors must demonstrate that their annual income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) of the selected program. Family size include:
- sponsor, spouse and children
- sponsored family members;
- all people you have sponsored previously, if undertaking is still in effect;
- everyone for whom your spouse has signed an undertaking, if it is still valid and if he/she is a co-sponsor of the current application
The MNI financial requirement is reviewed annually and applies to all sponsorship programs except sponsorship of:
- spouse or common law partner without family members;
- spouse or common law partner with dependents who do not have their own children;
- a child without children.
Current MNI amounts can be found at official website.
You will need to notify IRCC of the change and prove that your income meets the updated requirements taking into account your new family size.
All family members who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are required to undergo a medical examination, even if they are not applying to enter Canada with you. Failure to provide information about family members or to have them undergo a medical examination may impact your application and your ability to sponsor them in the future.