IRCC groups family sponsorship into spouses, partners or dependent children; adopted children; certain other relatives; and parents and grandparents, a program IRCC lists as "Paused" (IRCC, Sponsor your family members). As the sponsor, you sign an undertaking; the length of the undertaking period is set by IRPR s. 132 (see the FAQ below).
Sponsor Eligibility at a Glance
To sponsor a spouse, partner or child, IRCC lists that you:
- • "are at least 18 years old"
- • "are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act"
- • "live in Canada"
IRCC also states: "If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents." Among the reasons IRCC lists for not being able to sponsor: you "are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability" (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible).
Sponsorship Categories
Spousal Sponsorship
A spouse "is legally married to you".
Learn moreCommon-Law Partner
A common-law partner "has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months".
Learn moreConjugal Partner
A conjugal partner "lives outside Canada" and "may not be able to live with you in their country of residence or marry you" for the reasons IRCC lists.
Learn moreDependent Children
One of IRCC's requirements: "they’re under 22 years old and they don’t have a spouse or common-law partner".
Learn moreParents and Grandparents Program
Program status, income requirements and the 20-year undertaking. The Super Visa is covered on its own page.
Learn moreSources for the category descriptions: IRCC, Sponsor your spouse, partner, or child.
Parents and Grandparents Program: IRCC lists the status as "Paused" and states: "We will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice." (IRCC, Sponsor your parents and grandparents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor a family member to Canada?
IRCC states that to sponsor a spouse, partner or child, you must be "at least 18 years old", "a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act", and "live in Canada". IRCC also states: "If you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada, you can’t sponsor." (IRCC, Check if you’re eligible)
Is there an income requirement for family sponsorship?
For a spouse, partner or dependent child, IRCC states: "In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child." For parents and grandparents, IRCC states: "To be a sponsor, you must have enough money to support all of the people you’ll be financially responsible for, including yourself." (IRCC, Income requirements for the sponsor)
How long does the sponsorship undertaking last?
IRPR s. 132(1)(b) sets the end of the undertaking period: for a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, "on the last day of the period of three years following the day on which the foreign national becomes a permanent resident"; for a dependent child who is less than 22 years of age on that day, "on the earlier of (A) the last day of the period of 10 years following the day on which the foreign national becomes a permanent resident, and (B) the day on which the foreign national attains 25 years of age"; for a mother or father, or the mother or father of the sponsor’s mother or father, "on the last day of the period of 20 years following the day on which the foreign national becomes a permanent resident". (IRPR, s. 132)
Who counts as a common-law partner?
IRCC states that a common-law partner "is not legally married to you", "is at least 18 years old", and "has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months, meaning" "you’ve lived together continuously for 1 year in a conjugal relationship, without any long periods apart". (IRCC, Sponsor your spouse, partner, or child)
Related pathways: For parents and grandparents, the Super Visa is a visitor option: IRCC states that parents and grandparents can visit "for 5 years at a time with a super visa" (IRCC, Parent and grandparent super visa). See also our Temporary Resident Visa page.
Processing times, eligibility criteria, and program requirements are subject to change per IRCC updates. Consult a regulated immigration consultant before making any application decisions.
Processing Times
Processing times are published by IRCC and updated regularly.
Important Notes
IRCC states that a spouse or partner:
- • "can be any gender"
- • "is in a genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status"
- • "must not be inadmissible to Canada" (see inadmissibility)
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