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Family Sponsorship
You can sponsor a relative in Canada (spouse, partner, children, parents, grandparents, etc.) to become permanent resident.
There are four main family sponsorship categories: (i) spouse, partner, or dependent children, (ii) parents and grandparents, (iii) adopted children, and (iv) other relatives. Eligibility and application process differ from one another, this article will help you navigate through the main requirements and family members you can sponsor.
Eligibility to Sponsor your Family
The eligibility to sponsor depends on each category, either your (i) spouse, partner, or dependent children, (ii) parents and grandparents, (iii) adopted children, or (iv) other relatives. Click below on the category you are interested in:
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
You can become a sponsor if you are:
You cannot become a sponsor if you:
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. The requirements of Quebec are similar to those of the federal government.
- at least 18 years old,
- a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident,
- able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability, and
- have enough income to provide for basic needs of any grandchildren (dependent children of a dependent child) of the principal applicant.
- are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and
- plan to return to Canada when your relatives immigrate.
You cannot become a sponsor if you:
- signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it hasn’t been three years since they became a permanent resident,
- receive social assistance for a reason other than disability,
- previously sponsored someone and did not pay back any social assistance that they received while the undertaking was in place,
- are in default on an immigration loan or a performance bond,
- did not pay court-ordered alimony or child support,
- have declared bankruptcy which has not been discharged,
- were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent crime, an offence against a relative that caused bodily harm or threatened or attempted to commit any of the above offences,
- were previously sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and became a permanent resident of Canada less than five years ago (even if you got your Canadian citizenship within those five years),
- are under a removal order,
- are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison, or
- have already applied to sponsor your current spouse or partner and haven’t received a decision.
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. The requirements of Quebec are similar to those of the federal government.
Parents and grandparents
You can become a sponsor if you:
You cannot become a sponsor if you:
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. The requirements of Quebec are similar to those of the federal government.
- are 18 years of age or older,
- are a Canadian citizen, Registered Indian or permanent resident,
- live in Canada,
- sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored,
- sign an agreement with the person you are sponsoring that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities, and
- prove that you have sufficient income to provide the basic requirements for your family members in Canada as well as the persons included in your sponsorship undertaking. You may also have a co-signer (spouse or common-law partner).
You cannot become a sponsor if you:
- are in receipt of social assistance for a reason other than disability,
- are in default of an undertaking, an immigration loan, a performance bond, or family support payments,
- are an undischarged bankrupt,
- were convicted of an offence of a sexual nature, a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative that results in bodily harm or an attempt or threat to commit any such offences—depending on circumstances such as the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred and whether a pardon was issued
- are under a removal order, or
- are detained in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison.
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. The requirements of Quebec are similar to those of the federal government.
Adopted children
To sponsor a child from another country for adoption, you must:
You cannot sponsor if you:
Children adopted outside Canada may be sponsored to come to Canada if:
There are other requirements for intercountry adoption, which must:
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. To be able to sponsor a child you intend to adopt, you must meet the requirements of the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale which, if applicable, will issue a letter of non-objection and will transmit it to the Ministry. There are other general criteria for Quebec residents that are similar to those of the federal government.
- be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident (if you do not currently reside in Canada, you must do so when the adopted child becomes a permanent resident),
- live in Canada, and
- be at least 18 years old.
You cannot sponsor if you:
- did not meet the requirements of a previous sponsorship agreement,
- defaulted on a court-ordered support order, such as alimony or child support,
- have been convicted of a violent criminal offence—depending on the nature of the offence, when it occurred and whether a record suspension was granted, or
- do not live in Canada now and do not plan to live full-time in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident.
Children adopted outside Canada may be sponsored to come to Canada if:
- informed consent has been given by both of your child’s biological parents (if they are living).
- your child has been legally adopted outside Canada.
- the requirements of the Hague Convention have been met, if they apply.
There are other requirements for intercountry adoption, which must:
- be legal in the child’s home country and in the province or territory where you live;
- end the legal relationship between your adopted child and his or her biological parents;
- meet the requirements of your province or territory, including a home study;
- create a genuine parent–child relationship between you and the child;
- be in the best interests of the child;
- not be primarily to gain permanent resident status for the child in Canada.
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. To be able to sponsor a child you intend to adopt, you must meet the requirements of the Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale which, if applicable, will issue a letter of non-objection and will transmit it to the Ministry. There are other general criteria for Quebec residents that are similar to those of the federal government.
Other relatives
You can become a sponsor if you are:
You may not be able to sponsor a relative if you:
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. Orphaned brothers, sisters, nephew, niece or grandchild must be the subject of a positive psychosocial assessment of the child's reception conditions. This assessment is carried out by the youth center in your region and subject to a fee of around $1,200. You must also sign a declaration in which you agree to file a motion with the Superior Court within 90 days of the child's arrival in Quebec in order to appoint a tutor for the child. There are other general criteria for Quebec residents that are similar to those of the federal government.
- at least 18 years old,
- a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident living in Canada,
- able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability, and
- have enough income to provide for basic needs of any grandchildren (dependent children of a dependent child) of the principal applicant.
You may not be able to sponsor a relative if you:
- are in prison,
- have not paid your alimony or child support payments,
- have declared bankruptcy and haven’t been released from it yet,
- got social assistance for reasons other than being disabled,
- didn’t pay back an immigration loan, made late payments or missed payments,
- sponsored another relative in the past and didn’t meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement,
- were convicted of a violent crime, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence, depending on details of the case.
If you live in Quebec, you must satisfy the requirements of both governments. Orphaned brothers, sisters, nephew, niece or grandchild must be the subject of a positive psychosocial assessment of the child's reception conditions. This assessment is carried out by the youth center in your region and subject to a fee of around $1,200. You must also sign a declaration in which you agree to file a motion with the Superior Court within 90 days of the child's arrival in Quebec in order to appoint a tutor for the child. There are other general criteria for Quebec residents that are similar to those of the federal government.
Obligations as a Sponsor
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When you sponsor persons who are members of the family class, you must sign an undertaking with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (or with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration [MIFI] if you live in Quebec).
The undertaking is a promise to provide financial support and basic requirements for the family members you are sponsoring. Basic requirements are:
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The undertaking ensures that these persons and their family members do not have to apply for social assistance. The length of undertaking depends on their age and their relationship with the sponsor.
Your obligations as a sponsor begin as soon as the person(s) you are sponsoring arrive in Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner may help you meet the income requirement by co-signing the sponsorship application.
The undertaking is an unconditional promise of support. For example, the granting of Canadian citizenship, divorce, separation or relationship breakdown or moving to another province does not cancel the undertaking. The undertaking also remains in effect even if your financial situation deteriorates.
The length of the undertaking for residents of provinces and territories outside Quebec is:
The length of the undertaking for residents of Quebec is:
Your obligations as a sponsor begin as soon as the person(s) you are sponsoring arrive in Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner may help you meet the income requirement by co-signing the sponsorship application.
The undertaking is an unconditional promise of support. For example, the granting of Canadian citizenship, divorce, separation or relationship breakdown or moving to another province does not cancel the undertaking. The undertaking also remains in effect even if your financial situation deteriorates.
The length of the undertaking for residents of provinces and territories outside Quebec is:
- 3 years for your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner,
- 3 years for a dependent child over 22 years of age,
- 10 years for a dependent child under 22 years of age, or until the child becomes 22 years old, whichever comes first,
- 20 years for your parents and grandparents,
- 10 years for any other relative.
The length of the undertaking for residents of Quebec is:
- 3 years for your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner,
- 3 years minimum for a dependent child over 16 years of age, or until the child becomes 25 years old, whichever is the longest,
- 10 years minimum for a dependent child under 16 years of age, or until the child becomes 18 years old, whichever is the longest,
- 10 years for any other relative.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
You can sponsor your:
You can sponsor the dependent children of your spouse, partner or children. If you do not sponsor them, you are still liable as a sponsor since the undertaking of support concerns the sponsored person and their dependent children. Even if the dependent children of the sponsored person is not part of the sponsorship, they need to be clearly listed on the application regardless. You can still sponsor them later, as long as they remain dependent children.
- spouse, who is at least 18 years old, if your marriage is a legally valid civil marriage. Opposite and same-sex marriages will be recognized for immigration:
- if legally performed in Canada, or
- if performed outside of Canada, the marriage must be legally recognized in the country where it took place and in Canada.
- common-law partner (same or opposite sex), who is at least 18 years old, as long as you’ve been living or have lived with your partner for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.
- conjugal partner, who is at least 18 years old, if
- there is a significant degree of attachment between the two of you, implying not just a physical relationship but a mutually interdependent relationship, and
- you’ve been in a genuine (real) relationship for at least 12 months where marriage or cohabitation (living together) hasn’t been possible because of barriers such as sexual orientation, religious faith, etc.
- dependent children if they’re under 22 years old and don’t have a spouse or common-law partner. Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependants if they:
- have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22, and
- are unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.
You can sponsor the dependent children of your spouse, partner or children. If you do not sponsor them, you are still liable as a sponsor since the undertaking of support concerns the sponsored person and their dependent children. Even if the dependent children of the sponsored person is not part of the sponsorship, they need to be clearly listed on the application regardless. You can still sponsor them later, as long as they remain dependent children.
Parents and grandparents
You can sponsor:
- Your parents and their dependents,
- Your grandparents and their dependents.
Adopted children
You can sponsor your:
- child adopted outside Canada, or
- child who will be adopted in Canada.
Other relatives
You have two options:
Option 1 - You can sponsor your brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is:
Option 2 - You can sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age, if you satisfy to the two following conditions:
Option 1 - You can sponsor your brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is:
- orphaned,
- related to you by blood or adoption,
- under 18 years old, and
- not married or in a common-law relationship.
- one of their parents is still alive,
- no one knows where their parents are,
- their parents abandoned them,
- someone else other than their parents is taking care of them while one or both their parents are alive, or
- their parent is in jail or otherwise detained.
Option 2 - You can sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age, if you satisfy to the two following conditions:
- You don't have a living relative you could sponsor instead, such as a:
- spouse,
- common-law partner,
- conjugal partner,
- son or daughter,
- parent,
- grandparent,
- orphaned brother or sister
- orphaned nephew or niece
- orphaned grandchild
- You don’t have any aunt or uncle or any of the above-named relatives who is:
- a Canadian citizen,
- a permanent resident, or
- a registered Indian under the Indian Act.
Income Requirements
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
There are no income requirements for you to sponsor your spouse, common-law, partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children. However, you must not be receiving welfare benefits (excluding disability), or be in bankruptcy when you apply.
However, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) (i) if you are sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own, or (ii) if you are sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more children of their own (see income requirements in the Other relatives section below).
The same applies if you are a Quebec resident.
However, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) (i) if you are sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own, or (ii) if you are sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more children of their own (see income requirements in the Other relatives section below).
The same applies if you are a Quebec resident.
Parents and grandparents
For the parents and grandparents sponsorship category, there is an income requirement based upon the number of people in your family. You must include:
For each of the three consecutive taxation years preceding the date on which the application is submitted, the sponsor (and a co-signer, if applicable) must meet the following minimum required income:
- Yourself and your family members, even if they do not live with you,
- The person you are sponsoring and his/her family members who will be living with you,
- Anyone you have sponsored in the past and their family members,
- Anyone you have co-signed a sponsorship financial obligation in the past and is still in effect, and
- Any person that you are sponsoring who has sponsored or has co-signed a sponsorship financial obligation for in the past and is still in effect.
For each of the three consecutive taxation years preceding the date on which the application is submitted, the sponsor (and a co-signer, if applicable) must meet the following minimum required income:
| Family Size | Required Income - 2021 | Required Income - 2020 | Required Income - 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $32,898 | $32,270 | $41,007 |
| 3 | $40,444 | $39,672 | $50,414 |
| 4 | $49,106 | $48,167 | $61,209 |
| 5 | $55,694 | $54,630 | $69,423 |
| 6 | $62,814 | $61,613 | $78,296 |
| 7 | $69,934 | $68,598 | $87,172 |
| For each additional person | $7,120 | $6,985 | $8,876 |
If you are applying in 2022, you must provide proof of income from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the taxation years of 2021, 2020, and 2019.
For Quebec resident, the required amounts are different. Please refer to the specific Quebec income requirements section below.
For Quebec resident, the required amounts are different. Please refer to the specific Quebec income requirements section below.
Adopted children
You do not need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) when sponsoring an adopted or to be adopted child.
This also applies to Quebec residents as well.
This also applies to Quebec residents as well.
Other relatives
Your income must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), on the date which the sponsorship application is signed. You need to calculate the number of people in your family, including:
- Yourself and your family members, even if they do not live with you,
- The person you are sponsoring and his/her family members who will be living with you,
- Anyone you have sponsored in the past and their family members,
- Anyone you have co-signed a sponsorship financial obligation in the past and is still in effect, and
- Any person that you are sponsoring who has sponsored or has co-signed a sponsorship financial obligation for in the past and is still in effect.
| Family Size | MNI - 2021 |
|---|---|
| 2 | $33,140 |
| 3 | $40,742 |
| 4 | $49,466 |
| 5 | $56,104 |
| 6 | $63,276 |
| 7 | $70,448 |
| For each additional person | $7,172 |
For Quebec resident, the required amounts are different. Please refer to the specific Quebec income requirements section below.
Quebec income requirements
If you live in Quebec, the Quebec ministry in charge of immigration will assess your income based on their own minimum income requirements, which differ from the tables above. For example, for Quebec residents, there is no special distinction in required income for parents and grandparents.
However, the same exceptions to minimum income requirements apply for Quebec residents (for spouse, partner, children, ...)
The amounts below are in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2023.
Basic income required of the sponsor to meet his or her own family unit’s basic needs:
Additional income required of the sponsor to meet the needs of the sponsored persons:
However, the same exceptions to minimum income requirements apply for Quebec residents (for spouse, partner, children, ...)
The amounts below are in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2023.
Basic income required of the sponsor to meet his or her own family unit’s basic needs:
- For 1 member: $26,877
- For 2 member: $36,281
- For 3 members: $44,793
- For 4 members: $51,518
- For 5 members: $57,337
- For each additional member: $5,819
Additional income required of the sponsor to meet the needs of the sponsored persons:
- For 0 sponsored person aged 18 or older AND:
- For 1 sponsored person under 18: $9,303
- For 2 sponsored persons under 18: $14,744
- For each additional sponsored person under 18: $4,916
- For 1 sponsored person aged 18 or older AND:
- For 0 sponsored person under 18: $19,658
- For 1 sponsored person under 18: $26,413
- For 2 sponsored persons under 18: $29,826
- For each additional sponsored person under 18: $3,409
- For 2 sponsored persons aged 18 or older AND:
- For 0 sponsored person under 18: $28,829
- For 1 sponsored person under 18: $32,294
- For 2 sponsored persons under 18: $34,863
- For each additional sponsored person under 18: $2,559
- For each additional sponsored person aged 18 or older: $9,164
Application Process
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
To apply to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child, there are 2 applications:
- You must apply to become a sponsor.
- Your spouse, partner or child must apply for permanent residence (if the person being sponsored is under 18, you or their guardian can fill out the forms and sign them on their behalf).
Parents and grandparents
You first need to express your interest in applying by submitting an online interest to sponsor form.
To fill in the form, you will only need your name, date and place of birth, address, the number of family members in your family unit, the number of persons you are sponsoring (including their dependents), the names and dates of birth of the sponsored parents and/or grandparents. You will also need a digital or electronic copy of your identity document (one PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, WORD, or WORDX file, max 2.5Mb), and the ID number.
For the year 2020, the interest to sponsor form was available from October 13, 2020 at noon EDT until November 3, 2020 at noon EST. IRCC has still not re-opened the interest to sponsor form since then.
For the 2022 process, IRCC will invite 23,100 potential sponsors from the remaining pool of 155,313 potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020.
If you’re invited to apply, there are 2 applications:
To fill in the form, you will only need your name, date and place of birth, address, the number of family members in your family unit, the number of persons you are sponsoring (including their dependents), the names and dates of birth of the sponsored parents and/or grandparents. You will also need a digital or electronic copy of your identity document (one PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, WORD, or WORDX file, max 2.5Mb), and the ID number.
For the year 2020, the interest to sponsor form was available from October 13, 2020 at noon EDT until November 3, 2020 at noon EST. IRCC has still not re-opened the interest to sponsor form since then.
For the 2022 process, IRCC will invite 23,100 potential sponsors from the remaining pool of 155,313 potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020.
If you’re invited to apply, there are 2 applications:
- You must apply to become a sponsor.
- Your parents or grandparents must apply for permanent residence.
Adopted children
You can apply to sponsor your adopted child once:
To apply to sponsor your adopted child, there are 2 applications:
- the adoption process is in progress, and
- the province or territory has sent you a:
- Letter of Agreement,
- Letter of No Objection, OR
- Letter of No Involvement.
To apply to sponsor your adopted child, there are 2 applications:
- You must apply to become a sponsor.
- Your adopted child must apply for permanent residence (if the person being sponsored is under 18, you or their guardian can fill out the forms and sign them on their behalf).
Other relatives
There are two stages in the process for your eligible relatives to become permanent residents:
- You must apply to sponsor your relatives.
- Your family members must apply for permanent residence (if the person being sponsored is under 18, you or their guardian can fill out the forms and sign them on their behalf).
If you live in Quebec, you must:
- First submit your federal sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- If you meet the federal requirements to apply for sponsorship, IRCC will send you an email or letter with instructions to download Quebec’s sponsorship kit.
- Ask the person you are sponsoring to complete certain procedures, namely, applying for a "Certificat de Selection du Québec" (CSQ) and permanent residence.
Medical Exam Requirements
The sponsored person and their dependents will need to pass a Medical Exam with an IRCC approved doctor. Find out more in our medical exams article.
Application Fees
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner: $1,080
Dependent children under 22 years old: $150
Dependent children over 22 years old: $155
- $75 Sponsorship fee,
- $490 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
Dependent children under 22 years old: $150
- $75 Sponsorship fee, and
- $75 Processing fee.
Dependent children over 22 years old: $155
Parents and grandparents
Parents or grandparents: $1,080
Spouse of your parent or grandparent: $1,085
Dependent child of your parent or grandparent: $155
- $75 Sponsorship fee,
- $490 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
Spouse of your parent or grandparent: $1,085
- $570 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
Dependent child of your parent or grandparent: $155
Adopted children
Dependent, adopted child or child to be adopted: $150
- $75 Sponsorship fee, and
- $75 Processing fee.
Other relatives
Relative (over 22 years old): $1,080
Spouse or partner of your relative: $1,085
Relative (under 22 years old): $665
- $75 Sponsorship fee,
- $490 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
Spouse or partner of your relative: $1,085
- $570 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
Relative (under 22 years old): $665
- $75 Sponsorship fee,
- $75 Processing fee, and
- $515 Right of Permanent Residence fee.
If you live in Quebec, you will need pay fees for the "Certificat de Sélection du Québec" (CSQ). As of January 1st, 2023, the fees are $310 for the principal sponsored person, plus $124 for each additional sponsored person in the same application.
Processing Times
Spouse, partner, or dependent children
A spouse or partner sponsorship application is processed within approximatively 12 months. You can check the processing times here:
Processing times for a dependent child sponsorship application depend on the country from where your sponsored family member is living. You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Dependent child", then choose the country they are living in.
- For a spouse or common-law partner sponsorship application from inside Canada, you need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Spouse or Partner living inside of Canada".
- For a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner sponsorship application from outside Canada, you need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Spouse or Partner living outside of Canada".
Processing times for a dependent child sponsorship application depend on the country from where your sponsored family member is living. You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Dependent child", then choose the country they are living in.
Parents or grandparents
A parent and grandparent sponsorship application is processed within approximatively 20 to 24 months.
You can check the processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Parents and grandparents".
You can check the processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Parents and grandparents".
Adopted children
Processing times for an adopted child sponsorship application depend on the country from where your sponsored family member is living.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Adopted child and other relative", then choose the country they are living in.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Adopted child and other relative", then choose the country they are living in.
Other relatives
Processing times for an Other relatives sponsorship application depend on the country from where your sponsored family member is living.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Adopted child and other relative", then choose the country they are living in.
You can find out your country's processing times here. You need to select "Sponsor a family member", then "Adopted child and other relative", then choose the country they are living in.
