Family & Spousal Sponsorshi
Canada recognizes the importance of family and spousal support for its citizens and residents, therefore, the
Family Class Immigration and Spousal Sponsorship procedures are simplified and applicants have fewer
requirements compared to other streams of immigration. IRCC does not limit the annual number of
applications.
If you are a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident living in Canada you may apply for sponsorship of your
spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, and/or grandparents. Here is the list of programs that are
focused on reuniting family members. You may sponsor more than one relative/group of relatives, once the 3
year period after sponsoring the previous one has passed and you can still meet all the sponsorship
requirements:
Spousal Sponsorship
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Super Visa
Spousal Sponsorship
According to Canadian immigration regulations, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse
or common-law partner for permanent residence. In the course of application approval, both the Canadian
citizen and the foreign national must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Both parties must prove that their relationship can be defined under three categories.
Spouse
Common-law partner
Conjugal partner
Under the above categories, same-sex partners are also eligible to apply, provided that they meet all other
eligibility requirements.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of at least 18 years of age, must be able to prove that they are not
receiving social assistance (for reasons other than disability) and able to provide for the basic needs of the
person they are sponsoring. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to
live in Canada once the sponsored relatives become permanent residents.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a person under spousal sponsorship, with these
requirements:
The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age
The sponsor must be a Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen
The sponsor cannot be in prison, under a removal order (if a permanent resident), or charged with a
serious offence
The sponsor cannot be bankrupt and must present proof of income or funds
If the person, who is at least 18 years of age, has already been living with you in Canada for at least 1
year, and it can be proven by corresponding documentation (bills, lease agreement, etc.)
The sponsor was not sponsored to come to Canada as a spouse within the last 5 years
The sponsored person must meet the following requirements:
The sponsored person must be at least 16 years of age
The sponsored person must not be too closely related by blood to the sponsor
In the application process, you will be required to attach all the required documentation proving your marital
status, receipts, and bills proving your cohabitation.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
If you are sponsoring a partner, their dependent children must be included in the application form. It is
important to note that Canadian citizens cannot be sponsored. Also, if you have a child who was born after you
have become a Canadian citizen, they might already be a Canadian citizen.
Super Visa
If you want your relatives to be able to visit you, but settling permanently in Canada is not an option for them,
you can always apply for the Super Visa, a multi-entry visa that will allow them to enter Canada over the span
of 10 years.
Who can sponsor relatives to become permanent residents under Family Class Immigration?
A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada, of at least 18 years of age, who is able to prove
that they are not receiving social assistance (for reasons other than disability) and able to provide for the basic
needs of the person they are sponsoring. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show
that you plan to live in Canada once the sponsored relatives become permanent residences.
You cannot apply for sponsorship of relatives through Family Class Immigration if:
You are a permanent resident living outside Canada
You have outstanding debts on an immigration loan, performance bond, family support payment, or
have undergone bankruptcy
You have failed to provide for the basic needs of a previously sponsored relative, are under a removal
order or are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison
You receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
You were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, caused bodily harm to a relative, or you attempted or
threatened to commit any of these offences
Also, you cannot apply to sponsor an inadmissible person (a person who has a criminal record, is a
threat to Canadian society, or has outstanding warrants or debts in their country of origin or any other
country)
