Family Sponsorship Canada

What Is Family Class Sponsorship?

Family reunification is a priority and commitment of the Canadian government. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada pursues this commitment by Family Class Sponsorship program.

Permanent residents, Canadian citizens, or people registered under the Canadian Indian Act can sponsor their relatives and family members if eligible. Sponsors can bring their eligible family members to Canada as a permanent resident through this program.

As soon as the sponsored person’s application is approved, they gain the same rights of a Canadian permanent resident, such as access to healthcare and social services. Additionally, they are able to apply for Canadian citizenship.

The family sponsorship class ensures families are staying together and the sponsor is financially stable and capable of supporting the basic needs of the sponsored family member such as housing and food.

Through this, the Canadian government ensures that the newcomer (the sponsored person) would not pose an excessive burden on social services.

How to Get Family Sponsorship in Canada

To sponsor a family member, you need to meet a few key requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act. If you’re living outside Canada, you must prove that you’ll move back once your sponsored family members become permanent residents.

The sponsorship process involves two applications. First, you apply to sponsor your relative. For instance, if you’re considering Common-Law Sponsorship, you’ll need to meet specific eligibility criteria. At the same time, the family member you’re sponsoring applies for permanent residence. Both applications must be submitted online. Afterward, there are a few steps that involve submitting biometrics, medical exams, and police certificates, as required.

Sponsor your Wife, Husband, or Common-law Partner

If you are a permanent resident, Canadian citizen, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act, you can bring your wife, husband, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to Canada through the Family Class Sponsorship program. This program ensures that couples can reunite and build their life together in Canada.

You can sponsor your spouse or partner under the following circumstances:

• Your husband or wife if you are legally married
• Your common-law partner if you have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.
• Your conjugal partner if you have been in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year, but unable to live together

Unlike other family members, there is no minimum income limit to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner. However, you need to prove that you can financially support your spouse without relying on social services assistance.

You must agree that you will financially support your spouse or partner for three years, no matter if your relationship changes.

If your spouse is outside Canada, your request will be processed by the visa office of Canada in your spouse's residing country.

But if your spouse is already in Canada, they may be eligible for an open work permit while the request is being processed.

Inland vs Outland Spousal Sponsorship in Canada

When sponsoring your spouse or partner, you can choose between two application streams depending on where your spouse is currently living.

Outland Sponsorship

Outland sponsorship is for cases where your spouse or partner lives outside Canada. You submit the application while they remain in their home country, and once approved, they receive a permanent resident visa and travel to Canada to complete their landing. As of early 2026, outland applications are processed in approximately 16 months for applicants destined outside Quebec. One important advantage of the outland stream is that if your application is refused, you have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. Your spouse can also visit Canada on a visitor visa during processing if they meet the eligibility requirements for temporary residence.

It is worth noting that you can file an outland application even if your spouse is physically present in Canada. This is legal and preserves the appeal right while allowing your partner to remain with you during the wait. However, your spouse must maintain valid temporary status in Canada throughout the process, which may require applying for a visitor record extension before their current status expires.

Inland Sponsorship

Inland sponsorship applies when your spouse or partner is already living in Canada with valid temporary status such as a visitor record, study permit, or work permit. Your spouse must remain physically in Canada throughout the processing period. If they leave and the Canada Border Services Agency denies re-entry, the application may be cancelled.

One significant advantage of the inland stream is that your spouse can apply for a Spouse Open Work Permit shortly after IRCC acknowledges your application. This permit allows them to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their permanent residence application. Processing of the open work permit typically takes three to four months after you receive your Acknowledgement of Receipt. However, inland processing times are longer than outland, currently around 25 months outside Quebec, and if your application is refused, you do not have the right to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. Your only option would be a judicial review at the Federal Court, which is more costly and complex.

Which Stream Should You Choose?

Choosing the right stream depends on your specific circumstances. If your partner is outside Canada and you want faster processing with the security of an appeal right, outland is typically the better option. If your partner is already in Canada and needs the ability to work during the waiting period, inland provides that flexibility through the open work permit. In many cases, a combination strategy is possible where your spouse enters Canada on a visitor visa and you file outland from within Canada.

A regulated Canadian immigration consultant can help you evaluate which stream aligns with your goals. You can start by completing a free assessment to discuss your options with our team. For more details on the official application process, visit IRCC's spousal sponsorship page.

Sponsor your Dependent Children

As a permanent resident or Canadian citizen you can sponsor your dependent children and reunite with them by bringing them to Canada.

This program is a part of the Canadian government to support reunification of families and ensures that sponsor parents can financially support their children and provide them with housing, healthcare, education, etc.

Dependent children will become permanent residents of Canada and gain all the rights of permanent residents such as access to healthcare and social services. Also, they can apply for citizenship and become a Canadian.

Children under 22 years old who are not married or in a common-law relationship can be sponsored as dependent children.

When sponsoring your dependent children, you should make a commitment that you will provide them with their basic needs such as housing, food, and education for 10 years or till they turn 22 (whichever comes first).

You must provide proof of parent-child relationship while applying for sponsorship. This includes documents such as birth certificates, ID cards, etc.

Also, adopted children are included in this program, so you can sponsor your adopted child. You need to take a few steps to ensure compliance to both Canadian immigration laws and international adoption regulations.

Sponsor your Parents or Grandparents

If you are planning to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for the long term, you can apply through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

Your parents or grandparents will become a permanent resident and will gain all the rights of a permanent resident of Canada, such as access to healthcare and social services. Also, they will be able to request Canadian citizenship.

However, sponsoring parents or grandparents is slightly different from sponsoring your children or spouse.

You can sponsor your parents and grandparents if you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three consecutive tax years. Also, you must agree that you will financially support your parents or grandparents for 20 years.

This means you are responsible for your parents basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare during the period.

The Canadian government determines the Minimum Necessary Income and it depends on the size of your family unit.

For the 2025 PGP intake, you must prove that your income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the tax years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The table below shows the MNI thresholds for sponsors living outside Quebec:

To prove your income, you must provide your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for each of the three required tax years.

Your family members include:

• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children
• Number of family members you want to sponsor

After you submit your interest to be a sponsor, you must wait to receive an invitation. If you apply without having an invitation, your request will be rejected.

The Canadian government will invite people interested in PGP sponsorship randomly to submit their application. You may have to wait for a few years to receive an invitation. Your sponsored people can apply online as soon as you receive an invitation to apply.

According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the application process can take between 20 to 24 months.

If the Parents and Grandparents program is not applicable, you can consider a super visa. Super visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

This visa allows your parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, without the need to renew their status. You need to provide proof of financial support for your parents. Also, your parents are required to have valid medical insurance for at least one year.

Co-Signer for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

If your individual income does not meet the Minimum Necessary Income for the Parents and Grandparents Program, your spouse or common-law partner can act as a co-signer on your application. When a co-signer is included, the combined income of both the sponsor and the co-signer is used to determine whether the MNI requirement is met for each of the three required tax years.

Your co-signer must provide their own Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the last three tax years before the date of the application. They must also meet the same eligibility criteria as the primary sponsor. This means your co-signer cannot be receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability, cannot have defaulted on a previous sponsorship undertaking, cannot be subject to a removal order, and cannot have been convicted of certain violent or sexual offences.

By co-signing the application, your spouse or partner agrees to the full 20 year undertaking, or 10 years in Quebec. This means they share legal and financial responsibility for supporting your parents or grandparents for the entire duration. This obligation remains in effect even if your relationship ends during the undertaking period, whether through separation, divorce, or the breakdown of a common-law relationship.

Calculating your family size accurately is critical because it determines which MNI threshold applies to your application. Your family unit includes yourself, your spouse or common-law partner whether or not they are co-signing, your dependent children under 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship, the parents or grandparents you are sponsoring, their accompanying spouse or partner, their dependent children, and any person you or your co-signer previously sponsored and for whom you are still financially responsible under an active undertaking.

For example, if you are married with one child and are sponsoring both of your parents, your family unit size is five. You must then meet the MNI threshold for five persons in each of the three tax years. If your parents have a dependent child who will accompany them, that child must also be included, increasing your family unit to six. If you are unsure whether your income qualifies or how to calculate your family size, start with a free assessment to discuss your case.

Who Can I Sponsor to Come to Canada?

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor for your family and close relatives. Also, you sponsor some other individuals under certain circumstances. Here is the list of people you can sponsor:

• Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner: You spouse or partner must be 18 years old or older. Also, your relationship must be genuine.
• Dependent children: Your children must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. No minimum income is required, but you must agree to financially support your children for 10 years or until they turn 22.
• Exception: You can sponsor your children above 22 years old only if they are financially dependent on you due to mental or physical disabilities.
• Parents and grandparents: You can sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) if you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) and agree to financially support your parents for 20 years.
• Orphaned relatives: You can sponsor your orphaned brothers, sisters, nephew, nieces, or grandchildren if:
• They are under 18.
• Both their parents are deceased.
• They are not married or in a common-law relationship.

If one parent is still alive but has abandoned the child, the child does not qualify as an orphan.

You must agree to financially support the child for 10 years or until they turn 25.

How Can I be Eligible to Sponsor a Family Member?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada sets the eligibility requirements for being a sponsor. Below, we will discuss the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Note that the criteria may be slightly different depending on who you are sponsoring.

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old or above to be a sponsor.
• Status in Canada: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or a person registered under the Indian Act.

If you are a permanent resident, you must reside in Canada during the sponsorship process. If you are a citizen and are abroad, you must prove that you will move back to Canada with your sponsored family members once their application of permanent residency is approved.

• Financial ability: You must prove that you are able to financially support your sponsored family members. The financial ability requirements depend on the type of sponsorship and the person you are interested in sponsoring.

You need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) set by the Canadian government for certain sponsorships such as sponsoring your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

Also, you must sign an undertaking agreement. By doing this, you agree to support the sponsored person for a certain period.

The duration depends on the type of sponsorship, for example, it is 20 years for your parents or grandparents and 10 years for your dependent children.

• No social assistance: You can not sponsor someone if you are receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability.

This means you can not sponsor someone if you are unemployed or having financial hardship that makes you dependent on the social assistance provided by the government including financial or other support such as income support, housing assistance, etc.

• Legal status or Conduct: You must meet certain criteria financially and legally to be able to sponsor your family members or eligible relatives.

For instance, you can not sponsor if you have defaulted on your previous sponsorship, declared bankruptcy or convicted of specific crimes such as violent or sexual assault, or are in prison.

Note that if you live in Quebec, you must meet additional provincial requirements.

Who Isn’t Eligible to Sponsor a Relative?

You cannot sponsor your family members or relatives under certain circumstances including:

• If you are under 18 years old.
• If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or registered under the Indian Act.
• You are receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
• You have been convicted of serious crimes such as violent or sexual offenses.
• You have failed to financially support a previous sponsored person
• You are currently in prison or deported from Canada.
• You can not provide the required financial ability proofs.

Do I Need a Job to Sponsor a Family Member

If you are sponsoring your spouse or dependent children, you do not need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income.

However, you must prove that you have financial stability and are able to support the sponsored person financially without relying on social assistance. This included providing them with the basic needs to live such as housing and food.

Nevertheless, you are required to prove that your income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) if you are sponsoring your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents program.

Still you do not need to have a job since you can prove your income meets the MNI by showing your indirect incomes such as savings, investments, or even your spousal income if applicable.

How Long Does It Take to Sponsor a Family Member in Canada?

Processing times for family sponsorship depend on the type of relationship and the complexity of your case. As of early 2026, IRCC processing times are approximately as follows:

These estimates are based on how long it took IRCC to process 80% of applications and are not guarantees. Your processing time may be longer if additional documents are requested, background checks take longer, or if your application is considered complex. Keep your application up to date and respond to any requests from IRCC promptly to avoid delays.

If your spouse or partner is already in Canada, they may be eligible for a Spouse Open Work Permit while the application is being processed, which allows them to work legally during the wait.

What Are the Requirements for a Family Visa in Canada?

There are specific requirements for both the sponsor and the sponsored family member. As the sponsor, you must prove that you are financially capable of supporting the person you’re sponsoring.

However, for spouses, partners, and dependent children, there usually isn’t a strict income requirement unless they have dependents themselves. For instance, Parents Sponsorship has its own set of income requirements and documentation.

The sponsored person must submit various documents, including forms, biometrics, and medical exams, to prove they meet eligibility criteria. Additionally, they must not be inadmissible to Canada due to criminal records or other issues.

The cost of a family sponsorship application depends on who you are sponsoring. As of April 30, 2026, IRCC updated its fee schedule for all permanent residence applications. Below is a breakdown of the current government fees.

Fees for Sponsoring a Spouse or Partner

The total government fee for sponsoring a spouse or partner with no dependent children is $1,260 CAD. This amount includes the sponsorship application fee of $85, the principal applicant processing fee of $575, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $600. If you prefer, you can pay the RPRF later before your spouse's permanent residence is finalized, in which case the upfront amount is $660. If your application includes dependent children, you must pay an additional $180 for each child. Biometrics fees are $85 per person, or $170 for a family of two or more applying at the same time.

Fees for Sponsoring Parents or Grandparents

The government fees for parents and grandparents sponsorship follow the same structure. Each parent or grandparent being sponsored requires $1,260 in government fees including RPRF. If the sponsored parent has a spouse or partner who is accompanying them, an additional $1,260 applies for that person. Each dependent child of the sponsored parent or grandparent costs $180.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Government fees are only part of the total cost. You should also budget for third party expenses separate from what IRCC charges. Immigration medical exams typically cost $200 to $450 per person and must be conducted by an IRCC designated panel physician. Police certificates are required from every country where the applicant has lived for six months or more since turning 18, and the cost varies by country. Certified translations of any document not in English or French typically cost $30 to $100 per page. Passport photos meeting IRCC specifications usually cost $15 to $25. If you live in Quebec, an additional provincial fee applies for the undertaking application to MIFI.

The Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $600 is the only government fee that is refundable if your application is withdrawn or refused. All other fees including the sponsorship fee, processing fee, and biometrics fee are non-refundable once IRCC opens your file. In 2025, approximately 27% of inland spousal applications were returned because they were incomplete, costing applicants hundreds of dollars in lost fees and months of additional delay.

How Much Income Do You Need to Sponsor Your Family in Canada?

Income requirements vary depending on the number of people you’re sponsoring and your family size. For 2023, the minimum income for sponsoring two people is $44,530. This amount increases with each additional family member.

For example, if you’re sponsoring five people, your minimum income must be at least $75,384. These income levels are adjusted yearly.

If you live in Quebec, different rules apply. The process might differ slightly if you’re considering Relative Sponsorship Canada, as provincial regulations can vary. The Quebec government assesses your financial capacity after the federal government approves your sponsorship.

You must also submit three years’ worth of tax assessments to meet income requirements, unless special conditions (like COVID-19 benefits in 2021) apply.

Can I Sponsor My Extended Family Such as Cousins or Friends?

Generally, you can not sponsor your extended relatives. Still you may be able to sponsor one relative, no matter of their age or relationship if you have no close family who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada and you do not have one.

Required Documents for Family Sponsorship

A complete family sponsorship application requires documents from both the sponsor and the person being sponsored. Submitting an incomplete package is one of the most common reasons for processing delays and returned applications.

Documents Required from the Sponsor

As the sponsor, you must provide proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status, valid government-issued identification such as a Canadian passport or PR card, and the completed and signed Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking form (IMM 1344). If you are sponsoring your parents or grandparents, you must also include your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the last three tax years, along with the completed Financial Evaluation form (IMM 5768) and the Income Sources form (IMM 5748). If your spouse or common-law partner is acting as a co-signer on a parents sponsorship application, they must provide their own Notice of Assessment for the same three tax years and sign the sponsorship undertaking.

Documents Required from the Sponsored Person

The person you are sponsoring must complete the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and provide a valid passport or travel document, their birth certificate, and a marriage certificate or proof of the relationship. They also need police certificates from every country where they have lived for six months or more since turning 18 and the results of an immigration medical examination conducted by an IRCC designated panel physician. Medical exam results are valid for 12 months, so timing is important to ensure they do not expire before your application is finalized. Two passport-sized photographs meeting IRCC specifications are also required.

Proving Your Relationship Is Genuine

For spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, IRCC places significant emphasis on verifying that your relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. You should include as much supporting evidence as possible, such as photographs of you and your partner together at different times and locations including family gatherings and events, records of communication including call logs and text messages and emails that show ongoing and consistent contact, evidence of shared finances such as joint bank accounts or records of financial support between partners, proof of shared living arrangements such as lease agreements or utility bills in both names, travel records including flight bookings and hotel reservations and passport stamps showing visits between countries, and written statements from family members and friends who know your relationship personally. The stronger and more varied your evidence, the more convincing your application will be.

Translation and Document Format

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation and a copy of the original. The translator must provide a signed affidavit confirming the accuracy of the translation. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, and national identification documents are among the most commonly translated items. If you are unsure whether your documents meet IRCC requirements, a regulated immigration consultant can review your package before submission. You can start by booking a free assessment with our team.

What Should I Do if My Financial Situation Changes During the Sponsorship Process?

Your financial situation may change while the sponsorship is in progress, for example, you may lose your job or there might be a change in your income. In this case, you must inform Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada immediately.

The government may decide to reevaluate your eligibility. You may still need to prove that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for some types of sponsorship (PGP for example).

You do not need to meet the MNI if you are sponsoring your spouse or dependent children. Nevertheless, you need to prove you can financially support their basic needs.

Can I Sponsor My Family Members if I Am Receiving Social Assistance?

You can only sponsor your family members if you are receiving social assistance due to mental or physical disability.

If you are receiving social assistance for any other reason than disability, for instance, because of unemployment or financial hardship, you are not eligible to sponsor another person.

Family Sponsorship in Quebec

If you live in Quebec, the family sponsorship process includes an additional provincial step that does not apply to sponsors in other provinces. After IRCC approves your sponsorship application at the federal level, you must also submit an undertaking application to Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). IRCC cannot finalize your family member's permanent residence application without Quebec's approval.

There are several important differences for Quebec sponsors. The undertaking period for parents and grandparents sponsorship in Quebec is 10 years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, compared to 20 years in the rest of Canada. Quebec also has its own income assessment requirements, which are calculated differently from the federal Minimum Necessary Income thresholds and may consider additional factors related to the sponsor's household expenses and financial capacity.

Since November 2023, sponsors in Quebec who are sponsoring individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 must complete a welcome and integration plan as part of the undertaking form. This plan outlines how the sponsor will support the sponsored person in preparing for their arrival in Quebec, accessing public services and resources, and learning French.

Quebec periodically sets caps on the number of undertaking applications it accepts for certain categories. For example, MIFI reached its maximum capacity for spousal and partner undertaking applications for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18 and older in July 2025 and was not accepting new applications until June 2026. Dependent children under 18 were exempt from this cap. If you are a Quebec resident, it is essential to confirm whether MIFI is currently accepting applications before submitting your federal sponsorship application to IRCC. Filing your federal application without a clear path to the provincial undertaking means your money may be locked in the system with no ability to move your case forward. For up to date information on Quebec immigration requirements, you can visit the Quebec Immigration website.

What Should I Do if My Application is Denied?

If your case has been denied due to lack of enough documents, you can reapply with a stronger application. Ensure to provide all the necessary documents showing your eligibility and the genuineness of your relationship.

If you think your case is denied by mistake, you can submit an appeal; within 30 days of receiving the refusal letter.

The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) will review your case and determine whether the decision should be overturned.

Do I Need to Meet the Minimum Necessary Income to Sponsor a Family Member?

It depends on the type of sponsorship and the relationship of the sponsored person. You need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) if you are sponsoring your parents or grandparents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

However, meeting the MNI is not necessary if you are sponsoring your spouse or dependent children. Still you need to prove that you can financially support the sponsored person for their basic needs.