Sponsorship

Understanding Family Sponsorship in Canada

Family Sponsorship in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their eligible family members, such as spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, to Canada as permanent residents.

    Get in Touch

    We Build Trust

    10+
    Years of Immigration Experience
    99.9%
    Success Rate Guaranteed
    75k+
    Application
    Experience
    150k+
    Seeking Advice Every Year
    50000+
    Successfull Clients
    100+
    Experienced & Professional team
    99.9%
    PR Visa
    Success Rate
    10+
    Years of Immigration Experience
    99.9%
    Success Rate Guaranteed
    75k+
    Application
    Experience
    150k+
    Seeking Advice Every Year
    50000+
    Successfull Clients
    100+
    Experienced & Professional team
    99.9%
    PR Visa
    Success Rate

    Understanding Family Sponsorship in Canada

    Canada places a strong emphasis on family unity and strives to keep loved ones together. As part of this commitment, the country offers various immigration programs that allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members for immigration. These programs are designed to facilitate the process of reuniting families by granting eligible relatives the opportunity to become permanent residents of Canada.
    Check Your Eligibility

    What is Family Class Sponsorship?

    Family sponsorship is an immigration pathway that enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their family members to Canada. Through this program, certain relatives can gain permanent residency. Known for its efficiency, the family sponsorship program simplifies the process for Canadians to sponsor their spouses and close family members, ensuring quicker processing times. This reflects Canada’s belief that families should never be separated for long.

    SINP Points Calculator

    The Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP) is a point-based Provincial Nominee Program. SINP evaluates candidates based on their profile credentials such as age, work experience, skills, language ability, and adaptability.
    SINP point calculator is also known as the Saskatchewan Province nomination assessment grid. This tool is used to assess the eligibility of candidates applying under the SINP program.
    All the candidates applying for Saskatchewan PNP nomination must score a minimum 60/100 on the SINP points calculator.

    Sponsor your family members

    Sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children

    Sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent children

    Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or partner for permanent residency. This program helps families reunite and build their lives together in Canada.
    Read More
    Parents And Grandparents Sponsorship

    Parents And Grandparents Sponsorship

    Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency, enabling family reunification.
    Read More
    Child Or Other Dependent Sponsorship

    Child Or Other Dependent Sponsorship

    Canada’s Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children or other eligible dependents for permanent residency, ensuring family reunification.
    Read More

    Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring a Family Member

    To sponsor a family member, you must fulfill the following conditions:

    • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
    • Be at least 18 years old.
    • Reside in Canada or plan to return to Canada once the sponsored family member obtains permanent residency.
    • Be financially capable of supporting the basic needs of your sponsored relative for at least three years.
    Start your Immigration journey today!

    Who Can Be Sponsored in Canada?

    Spouse, Common-Law, or Conjugal Partner If you wish to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residency, you may qualify whether they are currently in Canada on a valid temporary visa or living abroad. Those already residing in Canada might also be eligible for an open work permit, which can ease financial burdens during the application process.

    An open work permit for sponsored spouses allows them to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is under review. Additionally, Canada recognizes common-law partnerships. Therefore, if you and your partner are not legally married but have lived together continuously for at least one year, you may still qualify for sponsorship.

    Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship Canada’s dedication to family reunification extends to parents and grandparents through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program. Sponsors must demonstrate their financial capability by meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements based on the size of their family. Furthermore, sponsors must commit to supporting their parents or grandparents financially, should the need arise. For those unable to meet permanent sponsorship requirements, Canada offers the Super Visa—a long-term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

    Child or Dependent Sponsorship When immigrating to Canada, you may include your children as accompanying dependents in your permanent residency application. If not included initially, or if circumstances prevent their inclusion, you may still be able to sponsor them later. Canada’s child sponsorship program allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor biological or adopted children under the age of 22 who are unmarried and without children of their own. Exceptions are made for children over 22 who have physical or mental conditions that render them financially dependent.

    Orphaned Siblings, Nephews, Nieces, or Grandchildren Under specific conditions, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor orphaned relatives, such as siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren, provided they are unmarried, under 18 years old, and related by blood or adoption.

    Other Relatives (Under Exceptional “Lonely Canadian” Circumstances) In rare cases, Canadian citizens or permanent residents without close family members in Canada may qualify to sponsor one extended relative. To meet this criterion, the sponsor must be deemed a “Lonely Canadian,” indicating they have no spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, or grandparents in Canada.

    Need more information or have questions about Understanding Family Sponsorship in Canada?

    Universal Adviser is here to answer your questions and guide you through the Family Sponsorship for Canadian Immigration application process.
    Book a consultation

    Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring a Family Member

    To sponsor a family member, you must fulfill the following conditions:
    • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
    • Be at least 18 years old.
    • Reside in Canada or plan to return to Canada once the sponsored family member obtains permanent residency.
    • Be financially capable of supporting the basic needs of your sponsored relative for at least three years.

    Situations Where Sponsorship May Not Be Possible

    Certain circumstances may render a person ineligible to sponsor a relative. These include:

    • Being incarcerated.
    • Failing to pay alimony or child support.
    • Declaring bankruptcy without discharge.
    • Receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
    • Defaulting on immigration loans or sponsorship agreements.
    • Convictions for violent crimes, offenses against family members, or sexual offenses, depending on the case details.

    Costs Involved in Family Sponsorship

    The government processing fees for sponsoring a relative in Canada are as follows:
    • Sponsorship fee: $75
    • Principal applicant processing fee: $490
    • Right of permanent residence fee: $515
    • Biometrics fee: $85
    • Total: $1,165
    If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional provincial fee of $310 CAD is applicable. Additional fees may apply for dependent children or if a spouse/partner is included in the application.

    Income Requirements for Sponsorship

    Income requirements depend on the type of sponsorship. For parents, grandparents, and certain relatives, sponsors must meet the MNI for their family size and provide Canada Revenue Agency-issued Notices of Assessment (NOA) for the past three years. Spousal sponsorships, however, do not require proof of minimum income, although sponsors must commit to financially supporting the sponsored individual for three years.

    Do You Need a Job to Sponsor a Family Member?

    While having a job is not mandatory, sponsors must provide evidence of sufficient income over the last three years to meet MNI requirements for relatives other than spouses or partners.

    What is the Processing Time for Sponsorship Applications

    Family sponsorship applications typically take about 12 months to process. However, complex cases or additional documentation requirements may cause delays. Ensuring accurate and complete applications can help expedite the process.

    What are the Alternatives to Sponsorship

    If sponsorship is not feasible, your family member may qualify under other immigration programs. Conducting an eligibility assessment can identify alternative pathways for them to immigrate to Canada.

    What are the Limits on Sponsoring Relatives

    There is no cap on the number of eligible family members a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor. However, separate applications must be submitted for each individual.

    Get a quote

    Already decided on the visa you want to apply for but need pricing details? Contact us, and we’ll provide you with a clear and fixed-price quote!

    Contact Us
    Why Choose Us?

    Sponsorship in Quebec

    Quebec has unique rules for family sponsorship. Sponsors residing in Quebec must first obtain approval from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) before applying federally.

    What are the Background Checks and Biometrics Needed for Canada Sponsorship

    All applicants aged 18 and older must provide police clearance certificates and biometrics as part of the application. Instructions for these steps are provided after submitting the application.

    What are the Medical Exam Requirements

    A medical examination is mandatory for all applicants. After submitting your sponsorship application, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide details on completing this exam with an authorized panel physician.

    FAQs

    You can track the status of your application using Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker portal if you applied for spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship. For other family members, the process depends on whether the application was submitted online or by mail. Use the IRCC’s online tool to determine how to check the status of your specific application.

    Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply to sponsor their spouse or child at any time. However, for sponsoring parents or grandparents, you must wait to be invited and submit your application within the specified deadline.

    Sponsoring a sibling is generally difficult. You may only do so if you meet the “Lonely Canadian” criteria or if your sibling qualifies as a dependent under your parental sponsorship application.

    Canada does not have a specific sponsorship category for fiancés. To sponsor your fiancé, you must be married. Alternatively, if your fiancé qualifies as a common-law partner, they may be eligible under that category.

    Canada does not offer a sponsorship program for boyfriends or girlfriends. You must be either common-law partners or married to sponsor your significant other. In some cases, sponsorship may be possible if they qualify as a conjugal partner.

    Canada does not provide a sponsorship option for friends. If your friend wishes to immigrate, they must explore other available immigration programs.

    You must be at least 18 years old to sponsor a family member. There is no upper age limit for sponsoring someone to Canada.

    Yes, they can. If your spouse or common-law partner is in Canada on a valid work permit, they may continue working until their visa expires. Those holding a valid study or visitor visa can apply for an open work permit to work during the sponsorship application process.

    No, it is not necessary to wait for the adoption to be finalized. You can begin the sponsorship process if the adoption is in its final stages.

    Important Links

    Ready to start?

    Discover your Canadian immigration options! Complete our free assessment today and a member of the Universal Adviser Team will contact you to discuss your immigration to Canada

    Free Immigration Assessment