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Family Sponsorship

The Family Sponsorship Program is a Canadian immigration program that allows certain family members to sponsor their loved ones for permanent residence in Canada. The program is designed to reunite families and help newcomers settle in Canada. To be eligible to sponsor a family member, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, 18 years of age or older, and have enough financial resources to support your relative. You will also need to meet certain other eligibility requirements.

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If you are eligible to sponsor a family member, you can submit an online application through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. The application process can take several months to complete, so it's important to start early. Once your application is approved, you will need to sign an undertaking agreeing to provide financial support for your relative. This undertaking is a legal commitment that lasts for 10 years, or until your relative becomes a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, whichever comes first.

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Who Can you Sponsor

How does the family sponsorship program work in Canada?

 

To sponsor a family member, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. You must also be at least 18 years of age and have enough income to support the person you want to sponsor.

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If you meet these requirements, you can sponsor your spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent or other eligible relative to become a permanent resident of Canada. The first step is to submit an online application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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Once your application is received, IRCC will review it to make sure you are eligible to sponsor. If your application is approved, you will be asked to sign a sponsorship agreement. This agreement requires you to provide financial support for your relative for up to 10 years.

After the sponsorship agreement is signed, your relative can apply for permanent residence. If their application is approved, they will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and be able to come to Canada as a permanent resident.

What is a sponsorship undertaking?​

 

A sponsorship undertaking is a written agreement between you and the Government of Canada that commits you to provide financial support for your relative or other sponsored person for a period of time. The sponsor must sign this undertaking before the application is submitted.

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The obligation will remain in effect for a period of time dependent on the family member you are supporting, even if circumstances change (i.e. if the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen, if you divorce or separate, if you have financial problems).

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The length of the commitment you will be needed to sign will depend on the family member you are sponsoring and, for children, their age. 

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What are the other conditions I need to meet?

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You may not be eligible to sponsor a family member if you: 

  • receive social assistance, except for disability payments 

  • have declared bankruptcy in the past and have not been discharged 

  • have previously failed

Sponsored Person
Length of Undertaking (excluding Quebec)
Other relative
10 years
Parent or grandparent
20 years
Dependent child 22 years of age or older
3 years
Dependent child
10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first
Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
3 years

How Do I Sponsor a Family Member?

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The first step is to determine if you’re eligible to sponsor a family member. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your:

  • spouse

  • common-law or conjugal partner

  • dependent children

  • orphaned relatives under the age of 18

  • other eligible relatives (including grandparents and adopted children)

 

If you want to sponsor someone who isn’t related to you, they must be a member of the family class. This includes certain close relatives like:

  • a spouse or common-law partner

  • a dependent child 

  • a parent or grandparent 

  • a sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or cousin who is an orphan under the age of 18 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship

 

You can check if your relative is eligible to come to Canada as a member of the family class by using the Sponsorship Evaluation Tool.

 

The next step is to fill out the sponsorship application forms. You will need to complete:

  •  an application to sponsor form 

  •  an undertaking form 

  •  a sponsorship agreement form 

 

After you have completed the forms, you will need to sign them and send them, along with any  required supporting documents, to the nearest Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office.

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The processing time for a sponsorship application can vary depending on the office that is processing your application and how complete your application is. You can check processing times for your local IRCC office on their website.

 

You may also need to provide biometrics as part of the sponsorship process.

What are the eligibility requirements for sponsoring a family member to Canada?

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In order to sponsor a family member to come to Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and be at least 18 years old. You will also need to meet certain income requirements, and show that you have enough money to support your relative when they arrive in Canada. Additionally, you will need to sign an agreement saying that you will provide for their basic needs and help them become financially independent. 

 

What is the Process for Family Sponsorship?

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The first step in sponsoring a family member to come to Canada is to submit an application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Once your application is received, CIC will assess whether you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are eligible, CIC will then send you a sponsorship kit, which includes a sponsorship agreement and a household information form.

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You will need to complete and sign the sponsorship agreement, and have your relative complete the household information form. You will also need to provide evidence of your relationship to your relative, as well as proof of their identity and background. Once you have gathered all of the required documents, you will need to submit them to CIC along with your sponsorship application.

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Once CIC has received your application, they will assess it to make sure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements. If your application is approved, CIC will send you a confirmation letter and instruct you on how to proceed. You will then need to submit an application for permanent residence on behalf of your relative. Once their application is received, CIC will assess it to make sure that they meet all of the eligibility requirements for immigration to Canada.

What are the income requirements to sponsor a family member to Canada?

 

As part of your Sponsorship Agreement with your sponsored family member, you need to provide financial support for the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public health services) of the person you are sponsoring.

 

Depending on the type of sponsorship, you also need to match or exceed (30% + required threshold) the Low Income Cut-off (LICO), for example:

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  • you are sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child and that dependent child has one or more children of their own, or

  • you are sponsoring a dependent child who has one or more dependent children of their own, or

  • you are sponsoring a parent or grandparent.

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If you reside in Quebec, you will have to meet Quebec's sponsorship requirements and your income will be assessed by the Quebec immigration ministry.

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Previously sponsored persons cannot be excluded from calculation of the family size unless any of the following apply:

  • the sponsor chose to withdraw the application if found to be ineligible to sponsor (as they indicated on the IMM 1344 form)

  • the sponsor withdraws the application during processing (that is, prior to the applicant)

  • the processing of the application is suspended [R136] (see Suspension of processing) pending a decision whether or not to continue processing

    • if a decision is made to continue processing, the sponsor’s financial circumstances must be reassessed for any active applications including these sponsored persons in the calculation of family size

  • the office processing the application for permanent residence determines that the sponsor is ineligible based on one of the following:

    • agreement with the CPC’s negative sponsorship eligibility decision

    • information received that was not available to the CPC when they assessed sponsorship eligibility

    • a determination that the sponsored person is inadmissible

Size of Family
Minimum Necessary Gross Income
1 person (your child or grandchild)
$29,380
2 persons
$36,576
3 persons
$44,966
4 persons
$54,594
5 persons
$61,920
6 persons
$69,834
7 persons
$77,750
More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add
$6,985

How to Apply for Family Sponsorship?

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Step 1: Ensure you meet eligibility criteria to be a sponsor.

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Step 2: Ensure that the relatives you intend to sponsor meet eligibility criteria.

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Step 3: You will need to apply at the federal level to the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and, if you are a Quebec resident, at the provincial level to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI). You must submit your sponsorship application and the permanent residence (PR) status applications of your family members or relatives together. Once you have been deemed eligible to sponsor, your PR application will be reviewed.

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Step 4: You will be required to pay the family sponsorship application fee.

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Step 5: Send your application to the right address. You will find this information in the sponsorship guide that is available for download on the government website.

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Sponsor your Wife, Husband, or Common-law Partner

 

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada may sponsor:

  • their spouse (you are legally married)

  • common-law partner (you are not legally married but have been living together for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship).

  • conjugal partner (you are not legally married or in a common-law relationship and they are living outside Canada)

 

To be eligible for spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, you must:

  • be 18 year of age, a Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or Canadian citizen,

  • demonstrate that you can provide for the basic needs for yourself and your spouse or partner,

  • Prove your relationship with the sponsored person is genuine by providing supporting documentation.

 

To be eligible for spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, the sponsored person must:

  • be at least 18 years of age and not too closely related to you.

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Check our complete guide to Spousal Sponsorship for permanent residence in Canada.

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Parents or Grandparents sponsorship

 

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP) and the Super Visa Program are two programs that offer Canadian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada.

 

To be eligible under the Parents and Grandparents Program, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada,

  • be at least 18 years of age,

  • be the child or grandchild of the person(s) you are sponsoring,

  • meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required for the size of their family unit and provide Canada Revenue Agency issued notices of assessment as proof,

  • sign a sponsorship agreement that acknowledges your promise to provide for the basic needs of family member(s) for a period of 20 years,

  • sign an additional agreement if you live in Quebec.

 

Your spouse or common-law partner can help you meet the income requirement by co-signing the undertaking.

 

If a co-signer is helping you meet the MNI requirements, the co-signer must meet the same eligibility criteria as you, the sponsor. In addition, your co-signer must:

  • not be the person being sponsored,

  • have cohabited with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.

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What is the Super Visa Program for immigrating to Canada? 

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The Super Visa for Canada is yet another program that showcases Canada's commitment for family reunification. The Super Visa for Canada. It is a multiple entry visa which allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods.

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Super visas are typically granted for up to two years, with the ability to apply for extensions of one year at a time.

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To be eligible for the Super Visa program, parents and grandparents must meet standard visitor visa requirements. In addition, they must:

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  • Provide proof of financial capability along with a written undertaking of support from their child or grandchild in Canada;

  • Provide proof that the sponsor in Canada meets minimum income requirements (check LICO table);

  • Provide proof of a valid Canadian health insurance (before landing in Canada) for the duration of at least one year; and

  • Complete an immigration medical examination.

 

Based on the nationality of the Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, parents/grandparents may need to acquire a Temporary Resident Visa in addition to a Super Visa.

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Sponsor your Dependent Child(ren)

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Your dependent children, whether biological or adopted, can apply to become permanent residents in Canada and live with you.

 

To qualify for sponsorship, a child must fit the following definition of a dependent child:

  • If a child is under 22 years old, is not married, or is in a common-law relationship, they are regarded as a dependent.

  • A child who is older than 22 years old and has a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible for them to sustain themselves may be regarded as a dependent.

 

To be eligible under this program, you:

  • and your child abroad must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to receive a visa,

  • must prove your relationship with the child you are sponsoring, either by a birth or adoption certificate.

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On what grounds can my Family Sponsorship application to Canada be refused?

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Similar to any other application for immigration to Canada, Permanent residence through family sponsorship could easily be denied or rejected based on (but not limited to): 

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  • Ineligibility to Sponsor.  

  • Ineligibility to be Sponsored.  

  • Application filed while the permanent resident was residing outside Canada.  

  • Undeclared Family members.  

  • Misrepresentation in the Application Form.

  • Inadmissibility to Canada.

  • Medical or health ineligibility.

  • Etc...

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Need help in applying for Sponsorship? Hire an authorized paid representative.

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IMMERGITY Immigration Consultant are very experienced with the application process and can help you navigate the system. We will also provide valuable insights and tips on how to increase your chances of success. Get in touch now.

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If you're thinking of hiring a representative, be sure to check that they're authorized by IRCC. You can verify our credentials by clicking here.

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Hiring a representative is not required, but it can be helpful, especially if you're not familiar with the application process. If you decide to hire a representative, be sure to choose someone who you trust and who you feel comfortable working with.

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