Sponsor
What is Family Class Sponsorship?
Canada offers sponsorship programs for permanent residents or citizens who wish to bring their loved ones to the country. These programs allow certain family members to become permanent residents. Family sponsorship programs are one of the most popular streams of Canadian immigration, designed to help citizens and permanent residents reunite with their spouse and immediate family members through a streamlined process.
Who Can I Sponsor to Come to Canada?
- Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner: You may be eligible to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence, whether they are in Canada on a temporary visa or living abroad. Those in Canada may qualify for an open work permit, allowing them to work while their application is processed.
- Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents, provided they meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements. If they can’t support them long-term, the family may qualify for a Super Visa, which allows multiple entries for extended periods.
- Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship: You can sponsor your biological or adopted children under 22 who are unmarried and do not have children. If a child is over 22 but unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental condition, they may also be eligible.
- Orphaned Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, or Grandchild: In special cases, you may sponsor an orphaned sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild under the age of 18 if they are unmarried and related by blood or adoption.
- Other Relatives (under exceptional circumstances): If you meet the “Lonely Canadian” criteria—having no spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent—you may be able to sponsor an extended family member in rare cases.
How Can I Be Eligible to Sponsor a Family Member?
To be eligible to sponsor a family member, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in Canada, or plan to return to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident
- Be able and willing to provide for the basic financial needs of your family member for three years
Who Isn’t Eligible to Sponsor a Relative?
You may be ineligible to sponsor if you:
- Are currently incarcerated
- Have not paid alimony or child support
- Are still under bankruptcy
- Have received social assistance (except for a disability)
- Failed to repay an immigration loan or missed payments
- Have previously failed to meet sponsorship terms
- Have been convicted of a violent crime, an offense against a relative, or a sexual offense
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Family Member in Canada?
The sponsorship fee for your spouse and their dependent children is $150 per child. The following are the government processing fees:
- Sponsorship fee: $75
- Principal applicant processing fee: $490
- Right of permanent residence fee: $515
- Biometrics: $85
Total: $1165
If the sponsor resides in Quebec or plans to, an additional $310 CAD is required.
What is the Income Requirement for Canadian Family Sponsorship?
Some sponsorship applications, such as those for parents, grandparents, orphaned relatives, or those under the “Lonely Canadian” policy, require the sponsor to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). Sponsors must provide Canada Revenue Agency-issued Notices of Assessment (NOA) as proof of meeting the MNI for three consecutive years.
Sponsors of spouses and dependent children do not need to demonstrate a minimum income. However, they must sign an undertaking to provide financial support for the sponsored family member for three years.
Do I Need a Job to Sponsor a Family Member?
While having a job is not a strict requirement, sponsors must provide proof of sufficient income from the past three years to meet MNI requirements when sponsoring family members other than a spouse or partner.
How Long Does Sponsorship Take?
Sponsorship applications generally take around 12 months to process. However, complex cases or requests for additional documentation may cause delays. To avoid delays, ensure your application is complete and correct when submitted.
What Other Options Do I Have to Bring My Family Member to Canada?
If family sponsorship is not an option, your relative may qualify under another Canadian immigration program. You can take an online assessment to find out the available immigration options.
How Many Relatives Can I Sponsor to Canada?
There is no limit to the number of family members you can sponsor, but separate applications must be submitted for each eligible family member.
Sponsoring a Family Member in Quebec
Sponsors who live in Quebec must first apply to the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for approval to sponsor an eligible family member. MIFI is responsible for approving sponsorships for those residing in Quebec.
Canadian Sponsorship Background Check
All individuals over 18 applying for Canadian permanent residence must provide a Police Clearance Certificate to confirm they are not criminally inadmissible. Police clearances must be obtained from all countries where the applicant has lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18.
Canadian Sponsorship Biometrics
Most immigration applicants must provide biometrics. After paying the biometrics fee and submitting your application, you’ll receive instructions on how to submit your biometrics.
Canadian Sponsorship Medical Exam
Applicants for Canadian permanent residence must undergo a medical exam to ensure they are medically admissible. After submitting the application, instructions will be provided for the medical exam with a doctor listed as an approved panel physician.
How Do I Check the Status of My Sponsorship Application?
You can track your spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship application using Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker portal. If sponsoring another family member, the process will vary depending on whether your application was submitted online or by mail.
Is There a Deadline for Canadian Sponsorship Applications?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply to sponsor their spouse or child at any time. However, parents or grandparents must be invited to apply and must submit their application by the provided deadline.
Can I Sponsor My Brother or Sister to Come to Canada?
Sponsoring a sibling is challenging unless you qualify as a “Lonely Canadian” or can include them in a parental sponsorship application.
Can I Sponsor My Fiancé to Come to Canada?
You cannot sponsor a fiancé directly. You must be married to apply under the spousal sponsorship category. However, a common-law partner may qualify for sponsorship.
Can I Sponsor My Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Come to Canada?
Canada does not offer a program to sponsor a boyfriend or girlfriend. Only common-law partners or married individuals are eligible for sponsorship.
Can I Sponsor My Friend to Come to Canada?
Canada does not have a program to sponsor friends. If your friend wants to immigrate to Canada, they may qualify through another immigration program.
Is There an Age Limit for Sponsorship in Canada?
To sponsor a family member, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit for sponsoring a family member to come to Canada.
Can My Spouse or Common-law Partner Work in Canada While Their Inland Spousal Sponsorship Application is Being Processed?
If your spouse or common-law partner is living in Canada with a valid work permit, they may continue working until the permit expires. If they are on a valid study or visitor visa, they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work while their application is being processed.
I Am Adopting a Child. Do I Need to Wait Until the Adoption is Final Before I Begin the Sponsorship Process?
No, you can begin the sponsorship process as soon as the adoption is in the final stages.