Family Sponsorship Canada
Family Sponsorship Canada assistance for spouses, partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents.
Canada's family sponsorship programs allow eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and certain other eligible sponsors to help qualifying family members obtain permanent residence.
However, sponsorship requirements differ depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant. Therefore, it is important to review the applicable eligibility, relationship, financial and documentation requirements before applying.
Family Sponsorship Canada: Who Can Be Sponsored?
Depending on the program and the sponsor's circumstances, eligible family members may include:
- A spouse
- A common-law partner
- A conjugal partner in qualifying circumstances
- Dependent children
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Certain other relatives in limited circumstances
In addition, each sponsored person must meet the applicable permanent residence and admissibility requirements.
For current federal information, review the official IRCC family sponsorship information .
Spouse and Partner Sponsorship Canada
Eligible sponsors may be able to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence.
Spouse Sponsorship
A spouse must generally be legally married to the sponsor, at least 18 years old and in a genuine relationship that was not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
A common-law partner must generally have lived with the sponsor continuously in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months, subject to the applicable IRCC requirements.
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
A conjugal partner category may apply in limited circumstances where the partners have been in a genuine, mutually dependent relationship but cannot marry or live together because of significant barriers.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Eligible sponsors may also sponsor qualifying dependent children. Age, marital status and dependency requirements must be reviewed carefully.
Who May Qualify as a Family Sponsor?
For spouse, partner or dependent child sponsorship, a sponsor generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or another eligible sponsor under Canadian law
- Meet applicable residence requirements
- Sign the required sponsorship undertaking
- Meet applicable sponsorship eligibility requirements
- Not be subject to certain sponsorship bars or ineligibility conditions
Moreover, a permanent resident living outside Canada generally cannot sponsor from abroad. A Canadian citizen living outside Canada may be able to sponsor if they demonstrate an intention to return to Canada when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident.
Spouse or Partner Inside Canada and Family Class Applications
A spouse or common-law partner may potentially be sponsored through the appropriate in-Canada or Family Class process depending on their circumstances.
Therefore, applicants should not choose a process solely because it is commonly described online as “inland” or “outland.” Instead, the applicable sponsorship class, immigration status, residence and travel circumstances should be reviewed carefully.
Proving a Genuine Spousal or Partner Relationship
IRCC assesses whether a qualifying spouse or partner relationship is genuine and whether it was entered into primarily for immigration purposes.
Depending on the relationship, supporting evidence may include:
- Marriage certificate, where applicable
- Proof of cohabitation
- Joint financial records
- Shared residential documents
- Photographs and travel evidence
- Communication history
- Evidence of family and social recognition of the relationship
- Other documents relevant to the couple's circumstances
However, the appropriate evidence depends on the facts of each relationship.
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Canada
Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and certain other eligible sponsors may be able to sponsor qualifying parents and grandparents for permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program.
However, this program operates differently from spouse or partner sponsorship. Sponsors generally need to receive an invitation to apply and must meet applicable income requirements.
Review the official Parents and Grandparents Program information .
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Requirements
A sponsor under the Parents and Grandparents Program generally must:
- Meet the applicable invitation requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Meet applicable residence requirements
- Have eligible Canadian status
- Meet the applicable income requirements
- Provide required proof of income
- Sign the required sponsorship undertaking
- Meet other applicable sponsorship requirements
In addition, the sponsor's spouse or common-law partner may be able to co-sign in qualifying circumstances.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
A child may qualify as a dependant if they meet IRCC's applicable dependency requirements.
Generally, a dependent child is under 22 years old and does not have a spouse or common-law partner. A person aged 22 or older may still qualify in certain circumstances where they have depended substantially on their parents for financial support because of a physical or mental condition since before age 22.
Documents for a Family Sponsorship Application
Documents vary depending on the relationship and immigration category. However, common supporting documents may include:
- Identity and passport documents
- Proof of the sponsor's Canadian status
- Marriage or relationship documents
- Birth certificates
- Proof of cohabitation where applicable
- Relationship evidence
- Police certificates
- Medical examination documents
- Financial documents where required
- Dependent-child documentation where applicable
- Other documents requested by IRCC
Therefore, applicants should use the document checklist applicable to their specific sponsorship category.
Declaring Family Members in Canadian Immigration Applications
Family members generally need to be properly declared in permanent residence applications, including family members who may not be accompanying the principal applicant.
This is important because failing to declare or have a family member examined when required can affect the ability to sponsor that person later.
Family Sponsorship Refusal and Next Steps
A family sponsorship application may be refused if the sponsor or applicant does not meet the applicable requirements, the relationship is not sufficiently established, or other eligibility or admissibility concerns arise.
Depending on the reasons for refusal, possible next steps may include a new application, reconsideration, an appeal where legally available, or another appropriate response.
As a result, the refusal reasons and complete application history should be reviewed before deciding how to proceed.
Looking for a Spousal Sponsorship Consultant, Immigration Agent or Visa Agent?
People searching online may use terms such as spousal sponsorship consultant, family sponsorship consultant, spouse visa agent, Canada family visa, immigration consultant, immigration agent, visa consultant, visa agent, best immigration consultant, top immigration consultant or genuine immigration consultant.
However, Canadian family sponsorship is a permanent residence process rather than simply a “family visa.” Regardless of the search term used, immigration advice and representation should be obtained from an appropriately authorized professional.
Third Pole Immigration Services provides regulated family sponsorship assistance through an RCIC. Moreover, our focus is on professional, genuine and ethical immigration guidance rather than promises of approval.
How Third Pole Immigration Services Can Help With Family Sponsorship
Depending on the applicant's circumstances, our services may include:
- Reviewing sponsor eligibility
- Reviewing applicant eligibility
- Reviewing relationship evidence
- Preparing or reviewing sponsorship forms
- Reviewing financial documents where required
- Preparing spouse or partner sponsorship applications
- Preparing dependent-child sponsorship applications
- Reviewing parent and grandparent sponsorship eligibility
- Responding to IRCC document requests
- Reviewing refusals and potential next steps
Family Sponsorship Canada Services by Location
Clients may access family sponsorship assistance through our Canadian offices and our India location. In addition, online consultations may be available depending on the matter.
Winnipeg Family Sponsorship Services
Learn about Canadian immigration assistance through our Winnipeg immigration consultant office .
Surrey Family Sponsorship Services
Review immigration assistance available through our Surrey immigration consultant office .
Muktsar Family Immigration Services
Learn about Canadian immigration assistance through our Muktsar immigration consultant office .
Related Canadian Immigration Services
- Permanent Residence services
- Visitor Visa and Super Visa services
- Immigration consultation and contact information
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Sponsorship Canada
Who can I sponsor for permanent residence?
Depending on eligibility and the applicable program, you may be able to sponsor a spouse, partner, dependent child, parent, grandparent or another qualifying relative in limited circumstances.
Is there a minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship?
In most spouse or partner sponsorship cases, there is no general minimum income requirement. However, specific financial requirements may apply in some circumstances.
Can a permanent resident living outside Canada sponsor a spouse?
Generally, a permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor a spouse or partner from abroad. Canadian citizens living outside Canada may have different rules if they can demonstrate an intention to return to Canada.
Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
Parent and grandparent sponsorship depends on the current Parents and Grandparents Program intake process, applicable invitations and eligibility requirements. Applicants should review current IRCC instructions.
What is the difference between spousal sponsorship and a Super Visa?
Spousal sponsorship is a permanent residence pathway for an eligible spouse or partner. In contrast, a Super Visa is a temporary resident option designed for eligible parents and grandparents.
Does family sponsorship guarantee permanent residence?
No. Both the sponsor and the sponsored applicant must meet the applicable legal, documentary and admissibility requirements.
Family Sponsorship Canada Consultation
If you are considering sponsoring a spouse, partner, dependent child, parent or grandparent, Third Pole Immigration Services can review your circumstances and help you understand the applicable sponsorship process.
Third Pole Immigration Services
Winnipeg, Manitoba & Surrey, British Columbia
Canada
RCIC:
Dr. Gursewak Singh Brar, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Licence No.: R709308
FAMILY SPONSERSHIP
Family Sponsorship Assistance
Speak With a Canadian Family Sponsorship Consultant
If you are planning to sponsor your spouse, partner, dependent child, parent or grandparent for Canada, Third Pole Immigration Services can help you understand the applicable family sponsorship requirements and permanent residence process.
We provide professional assistance with spousal sponsorship, common-law partner sponsorship, dependent child sponsorship, parent and grandparent sponsorship, supporting documents, relationship evidence and eligible permanent residence applications.
If you are searching for a family sponsorship consultant, spousal sponsorship consultant, immigration agent, visa consultant or visa agent, our focus is on regulated, genuine and professional Canadian immigration guidance.
Complete the consultation form to discuss your family sponsorship circumstances and possible next steps.
