Family sponsorship in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones by bringing them to live in Canada.
Canadian law permits the sponsorship of spouses, partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and, in specific circumstances, other relatives.
By meeting the eligibility requirements and fulfilling financial obligations, sponsors can help their family members obtain permanent resident status, strengthening familial bonds and contributing to Canada’s diverse and multicultural society.
To learn more about sponsoring your family members in Canada, check out our detailed articles below on the subject.
You can sponsor your spouse to come to Canada if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The process involves submitting an application that proves the genuineness of your relationship and your ability to support your spouse financially. For comprehensive details on the process, please visit the Spouse Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your common-law partner to come to Canada if you have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. You need to prove that you are in a committed relationship, often demonstrated by cohabitation for at least one year in a conjugal relationship or having a mutual commitment akin to marriage. For more information, visit the Spouse Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your spouse/partner if they are already in Canada. This is known as inland sponsorship. Your spouse can apply for an open work permit while their sponsorship application is being processed. More information is available on the Spouse Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your and/or your spouse or partner dependent children to come to Canada. Dependent children must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or common-law partner. Exceptions are made for children over 22 who depend on you due to a physical or mental condition. For more details, check visit the Spouse Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your spouse or partner and dependent children if you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, but you must demonstrate your intention to return to Canada once the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents must reside in Canada to sponsor a family member. Learn more on the Spouse Sponsorship page.
Canada recognizes same-sex marriages and partnerships for immigration purposes. You can sponsor your same-sex spouse or partner under the same conditions as opposite-sex couples. For more details, refer to the Spouse Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program. This program has an annual cap and specific income requirements. Alternatively, you can apply for a long-term visitor visa called the Super Visa for them. More information can be found on the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor an adopted child to come to Canada. The process involves both the adoption process in the child’s home country and the immigration process in Canada. You must meet certain requirements, including proving the legal adoption documentation and providing evidence of the parent-child relationship. For more information, visit the Adopted Child Sponsorship page.
In general, sponsoring a sibling, niece/nephew or a grandchild is not allowed under the family sponsorship program unless they meet certain conditions, such as being an orphan under 18 years old without a spouse or common-law partner. For more details on special circumstances, visit the Other Relatives Sponsorship page.
You can sponsor your family relatives if you have no other close family members living in Canada or abroad (known as the “lonely Canadian” rule). For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process, visit the Other Relatives Sponsorship page.
