Canada Sponsorship

Canada’s family sponsorship program offers a way for Canadians and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones. For more details on how to sponsor your partner or spouse, you can refer to Common-Law Sponsorship. Whether it’s your spouse, children, parents, or other relatives, the process allows you to bring them to Canada as permanent residents. 

However, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements, fees, and steps involved to ensure a smooth application process. 

What Is Family Class Sponsorship?

Family class sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents of Canada. The program aims to reunite families and helps sponsors support their loved ones financially while they establish themselves in the country. The most common relatives sponsored include spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents. 

Who Can I Sponsor to Come to Canada?

You can sponsor different family members depending on your relationship to them and the type of sponsorship program you are applying for. 

Spouse, Common-Law, or Conjugal Partner

If your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is living outside Canada, the processing time for their application is approximately 10 months. 

If they are inside Canada, it can take up to 13 months. The total cost for sponsoring your spouse or partner, including the right of permanent residence fee, is $1,205 CAD. 

If you don’t want to include the permanent residence fee, it will cost $630 CAD. You can also add any dependent children to the application for an additional $175 CAD per child. To learn more about sponsoring dependents, check out our Dependent Sponsorship guide.

Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship

Parents or grandparents can be sponsored to join you in Canada, but the processing times are significantly longer. If you live outside Quebec, the process can take around 24 months. For those living in Quebec, it can take up to 48 months. 

The cost for sponsoring a parent or grandparent is $1,205 CAD, but without the right of permanent residence fee, it’s $630 CAD. You can also include their spouse or partner for $1,210 CAD, or $635 CAD if you exclude the permanent residence fee. 

For detailed information on the process and requirements, see Parents Sponsorship.

Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship

You can sponsor your dependent child, whether they are your biological child or adopted, through child or other dependent sponsorship. To qualify, they must be under 22 years of age and without a spouse or partner. 

The fee to sponsor a dependent child on their own is $170 CAD, or $85 CAD if included in a spouse or partner’s application. For dependent children who have their own dependents, the financial requirements increase. 

Orphaned Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, or Grandchild

In rare cases, you may sponsor an orphaned sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild. To be eligible, the individual must be under 18 years old, single, and have lost both parents. The same income requirements that apply to sponsoring children would apply here, but this type of sponsorship is generally considered on a case-by-case basis.

Other Relatives

In some cases, you can sponsor other relatives like an aunt, uncle, or cousin, through relative sponsorship. To understand how you can sponsor other relatives, refer to Relative Sponsorship Canada. This is only possible if you have no other eligible relatives to sponsor. These situations are rare and depend on several factors, including your financial ability to support them. 

How Can I Be Eligible to Sponsor a Family Member?

To sponsor a family member, you must meet several basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Live in Canada or plan to return to Canada when your family member arrives.
• Not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Have the financial ability to support the family member(s) you are sponsoring.

If you are sponsoring a relative who lives in Quebec, you must meet Quebec’s specific immigration sponsorship requirements in addition to federal ones.

Who Isn’t Eligible to Sponsor a Relative?

You may not be eligible to sponsor a family member if you:

• Are under 18 years old.
• Are a temporary resident or do not plan to live in Canada.
• Are receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Have been convicted of violent crimes or offenses against relatives.
• Have not paid back past immigration loans or court-ordered support payments.
• Are bankrupt and have not been discharged.
• Are in jail or prison.

There may be other reasons that make you ineligible, such as having failed to meet previous sponsorship commitments.

How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Family Member in Canada?

Sponsorship fees depend on who you are sponsoring. For a spouse or partner, the cost is $1,205 CAD, which includes the right of permanent residence fee. Without that fee, the cost is $630 CAD. 

Dependent children can be included in your spouse or partner’s application for $175 CAD each, or sponsored individually for $170 CAD.

For parents or grandparents, the sponsorship fee is also $1,205 CAD, with an additional $1,210 CAD to include their spouse or partner.

What Is the Income Requirement for Canadian Family Sponsorship?

In most cases, there is no specific income requirement for sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child. However, if the person you are sponsoring has dependents of their own, you will need to meet a certain income threshold to prove you can support them. This also applies if you are sponsoring parents or grandparents. The specific amount you need will depend on the number of family members involved. Understanding the income requirements is crucial for successful Family Sponsorship Canada.

For sponsors living in Quebec, the provincial government will assess your income separately to ensure you meet their requirements.

Do I Need a Job to Sponsor a Family Member?

Having a job is not a strict requirement for sponsorship, but you do need to show that you can financially support the person or people you are sponsoring. This means that even if you don’t have a job, you need to prove that you have enough income or savings to meet the financial responsibilities that come with sponsorship. The financial commitment lasts for different periods, depending on who you are sponsoring, so it’s important to assess your long-term financial situation before applying.

How Long Does Sponsorship Take?

The time it takes to sponsor a family member varies based on who you’re sponsoring and where they’re located. For instance:

• Sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner outside Canada takes around 10 months.
• If they are already living in Canada, it can take about 13 months.
• Parents and grandparents usually take the longest, with processing times around 24 months outside Quebec and up to 48 months in Quebec.

These timelines include everything from reviewing your application to biometrics, background checks, and medical exams. Remember that these times can vary, and additional documentation or requests from the immigration office may extend the process.

What Other Options Do I Have to Bring My Family Member to Canada?

While family sponsorship is the main pathway, there are a few other options for bringing family members to Canada:

• Visitor Visa: If your family member plans to visit temporarily, they can apply for a visitor visa. This is ideal for short stays and does not lead to permanent residency.
• Super Visa: If you’re sponsoring a parent or grandparent, the Super Visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time, with multiple entries permitted over 10 years.
• Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds: In exceptional cases, you may apply to bring family members based on humanitarian reasons if they don’t qualify for regular sponsorship programs.

Each of these options comes with its own set of requirements, and it’s essential to explore which one fits your family’s situation.

How Many Relatives Can I Sponsor to Canada?

There is no strict limit on how many relatives you can sponsor, but you must meet the financial requirements for each person you want to bring to Canada. The more family members you sponsor, the more income you need to show to prove that you can support them. This is especially true if you are sponsoring parents, grandparents, or dependents who have their own children.

Keep in mind that each sponsored person also requires a separate application, which includes additional fees and processing times.

Sponsoring a Family Member in Quebec

If you live in Quebec, the sponsorship process is slightly different from the rest of Canada. Here’s how:

• You must first be recognized as a sponsor by the federal government before Quebec’s immigration department will process your application.
• Quebec assesses your financial ability to support the person you’re sponsoring more thoroughly. If you’re receiving social assistance (other than for a disability), you won’t be eligible.
• You must sign an “undertaking” with Quebec, agreeing to provide financial support for the family member for a set period.
• Quebec has a longer processing time, particularly for parents and grandparents, with sponsorships taking up to 48 months.

Once Quebec approves your eligibility, the federal government will continue processing the application for permanent residency.

Canadian Sponsorship Background Check

Before your family member can be sponsored, they must pass a background check. This process involves a review of criminal records and immigration history. The Canadian government checks for any past convictions or violations of immigration laws that might make the applicant inadmissible to Canada.

Similarly, sponsors must also undergo background checks to ensure they meet the legal requirements. This includes checking for any previous sponsorship failures, unpaid debts, or criminal convictions. Failure to meet these checks can result in rejection of the sponsorship application.

Canadian Sponsorship Biometrics

Biometrics (fingerprints and photos) are required for most sponsorship applications. Once you submit your application, the person you’re sponsoring will receive instructions on where and when to provide their biometrics. The cost for biometrics is generally $85 CAD, and the process is done at authorized collection centers.

Biometrics are used to verify the identity of the person being sponsored and to ensure they do not have any previous criminal or immigration issues that could prevent them from entering Canada.

Canadian Sponsorship Medical Exam

Every family member being sponsored must undergo a medical exam to ensure they meet Canada’s health standards. You should wait for instructions from the immigration office before booking the exam.

Here’s what your family member needs to bring to the medical exam:

• Proper identification (passport or national ID)
• Any medical reports or test results for existing conditions
• A list of current medications
• Glasses or contact lenses, if applicable
• Four recent photographs (if the panel physician doesn’t use eMedical)

The cost of the medical exam varies depending on the country, and applicants are responsible for all related fees, including any follow-up tests or treatments. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, these fees may be waived.

How Do I Check the Status of My Sponsorship Application?

Once your application has been submitted, you can track its status online using the application number you receive. Here’s how to stay updated:

• Online Account: You can create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to link your sponsorship application. This allows you to see real-time updates.
• Email Notifications: You will receive email notifications whenever there is an update on your application, including requests for additional documents or biometrics.
• Processing Times: You can also check the general processing times on the IRCC website to get an idea of how long it might take.

If you need further help with your application, you can contact IRCC directly, but keep in mind that processing times can vary depending on the complexity of the case.

Is There a Deadline for Canadian Sponsorship Applications?

There isn’t a specific deadline for submitting sponsorship applications, but you must ensure your documents are current and complete when applying. Additionally, certain sponsorship programs, such as parent or grandparent sponsorship, may only open for applications at specific times each year.

It’s crucial to stay updated on the latest application windows, especially if you’re sponsoring parents or grandparents, as there’s a cap on how many applications are accepted annually.

Do you have family members who you want to bring to Canada? Let SEP Immigration help you navigate the complex sponsorship process with expert advice and personalized guidance. Reach out today to start your journey toward family reunification!

Can I Sponsor My Brother or Sister to Come to Canada?

In general, you can only sponsor your brother or sister if they are orphaned, under 18 years old, and unmarried. Other than that, Canadian family sponsorship does not include siblings. However, there may be alternative programs like student or work visas.

Can I Sponsor My Fiancé to Come to Canada?

Unfortunately, Canadian sponsorship programs do not include fiancés. You can only sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. If you are planning to marry, you will need to wait until after the marriage to apply.

Can I Sponsor My Boyfriend or Girlfriend to Come to Canada?

You cannot sponsor a boyfriend or girlfriend unless they qualify as a common-law or conjugal partner. To be eligible as a common-law partner, you must have lived together for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship.

Can I Sponsor My Friend to Come to Canada?

No, Canadian family sponsorship programs do not allow you to sponsor friends. Sponsorship is reserved for close family members like spouses, children, parents, and grandparents. Friends may explore other immigration options like work or study permits.