Family Sponsorship Canada allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor qualifying family members for Canadian permanent residence. Depending on the applicable program, eligible family members can include a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child.
The Canada family sponsorship process involves sponsor eligibility, relationship requirements, application forms, supporting documents and permanent residence requirements. Understanding the correct sponsorship category before applying can help you prepare your application properly.
What Is Family Sponsorship Canada?
Family Sponsorship Canada is an immigration pathway that allows eligible sponsors to help qualifying family members become permanent residents of Canada
Canadian immigration rules provide different sponsorship categories depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the family member. Each category has its own eligibility requirements and documentation
For spouse, partner and dependent-child sponsorship, a sponsor generally must be at least 18 years old, be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, live in Canada and meet the applicable sponsorship requirements
Who Can You Sponsor in Canada?
Depending on the applicable immigration program, you may be able to sponsor:
- Your spouse
- Your common-law partner
- Your conjugal partner
- Your dependent child
- Certain other eligible relatives
- Parents and grandparents when the applicable program is accepting applications
The person being sponsored must also meet the requirements for their particular category
Family Sponsorship Canada Eligibility Requirements
The Family Sponsorship Canada eligibility requirements depend on the relationship between the sponsor and the person being sponsored.
Sponsor Eligibility
For spouse, partner and dependent-child sponsorship, the sponsor generally needs to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act
- Live in Canada
- Sign the required sponsorship undertaking and agreement
- Meet the applicable requirements under Canadian immigration legislation
Canadian citizens living outside Canada may be able to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child if they demonstrate that they intend to live in Canada when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor under this category.
Situations That Can Affect Sponsor Eligibility
Certain circumstances can make someone ineligible to sponsor a family member. These can include some outstanding financial obligations, previous sponsorship defaults, imprisonment, undischarged bankruptcy, certain criminal convictions or receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability
Spouse Sponsorship Canada
Spouse Sponsorship Canada allows an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a legally married spouse for permanent residence.
The spouse must generally be at least 18 years old, legally married to the sponsor, in a genuine relationship and not inadmissible to Canada.
Spouse Sponsorship Requirements
A spouse sponsorship application may require evidence such as:
- Marriage certificate
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Identity documents
- Relationship information
- Photographs
- Communication records
- Travel records
- Household or financial evidence
- Police certificates where required
- Medical examination information where required
- Required immigration forms
The exact documents depend on the circumstances of the application.
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Canada
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Canada is available to qualifying common-law relationships.
IRCC generally requires the sponsor and common-law partner to have lived together continuously for at least 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship, without long periods apart. The relationship must also be genuine and meet the applicable immigration requirements.
Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Evidence
Applicants may need evidence demonstrating their shared life and relationship, such as:
- Joint lease agreements
- Mortgage documents
- Joint bank accounts
- Utility bills
- Insurance documents
- Government correspondence
- Shared expenses
- Photographs
- Travel records
- Other relationship evidence
The appropriate documents depend on the individual circumstances.
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship Canada
Conjugal Partner Sponsorship Canada applies to a specific type of relationship.
A qualifying conjugal partner must generally be at least 18, live outside Canada and have been in an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship with the sponsor for at least one year. There must also be circumstances preventing the couple from living together or marrying, as defined by the applicable immigration requirements.
Because the conjugal partner category has specific requirements, applicants should carefully determine whether this category applies to their circumstances before preparing an application
Dependent Child Sponsorship Canada
Dependent Child Sponsorship Canada allows eligible sponsors to sponsor a qualifying dependent child for Canadian permanent residence.
A dependent child generally qualifies if they are under 22 years old and do not have a spouse or common-law partner.
A child aged 22 or older may qualify if they cannot financially support themselves because of a physical or mental condition and have depended on their parents for financial support since before turning 22.
Dependent Child Sponsorship Documents
Documents may include:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Identity documents
- Proof of parent-child relationship
- Custody documents where applicable
- Medical information where required
- Police certificates where required
- Additional supporting documents
Applicants should use the current requirements applicable to their specific situation
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Canada
The Parents and Grandparents Program Canada is a separate family immigration program.
As of the current IRCC information, the program is paused. IRCC is not currently accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms or new applications and will not invite new potential sponsors to apply until further notice. Existing applications continue to be processed
The 2025 intake closed on October 9, 2025, after IRCC issued invitations to potential sponsors who had submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020
When the program is open, sponsors must meet specific requirements, including Canadian status, residence, age, financial requirements and other eligibility conditions
Parents and Grandparents Alternative
Parents and grandparents who cannot currently apply through the Parents and Grandparents Program may potentially qualify for a Super Visa, subject to the current requirements.
IRCC states that the Super Visa can allow eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time
Other Family Sponsorship Canada Options
Canada also has a limited sponsorship category for certain other relatives.
Eligibility is restrictive. In specific circumstances, an eligible sponsor may be able to sponsor another relative when they do not have certain closer family members they could sponsor and do not have certain relatives in Canada who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians.
Applicants should carefully review the applicable requirements before choosing this category
Family Sponsorship Canada Application Process
The Family Sponsorship Canada application process depends on the relationship and sponsorship category.
Step 1: Identify the Correct Family Sponsorship Category
Determine whether you are sponsoring:
- A spouse
- Common-law partner
- Conjugal partner
- Dependent child
- Other eligible relative
- Parent or grandparent when the program is open
Step 2: Check Sponsor Eligibility
Confirm that the sponsor meets the applicable Canadian immigration requirements.
Step 3: Check the Sponsored Family Member’s Eligibility
The person being sponsored must meet the requirements for their particular family relationship and immigration category.
Step 4: Prepare the Application Forms
Complete the applicable sponsorship and permanent residence forms.
Step 5: Prepare Supporting Documents
Organize identity documents, relationship evidence and other supporting documentation required for the application.
Step 6: Submit the Application
For spouse, partner and child sponsorship, IRCC currently uses an online application process through the Permanent Residence Portal. The sponsor application and permanent residence application are submitted together through the applicable process.
Step 7: Respond to Additional Requests
During processing, IRCC may request additional documents, information, biometrics or medical examinations depending on the application
Family Sponsorship Canada Documents
Preparing complete documentation is an important part of a family sponsorship application.
Depending on the sponsorship category, documents may include:
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of relationship
- Identity documents
- Photographs
- Communication records
- Employment information
- Financial documents
- Police certificates
- Medical examination information
- Immigration forms
- Supporting declarations
- Custody documents where applicable
The exact document requirements vary according to the family sponsorship category and individual circumstances.