How Family Sponsorship Works

Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to Canada. As a sponsor, you agree to provide financial support for your family member, ensuring they don't need social assistance during their time in Canada.

Canada offers several family sponsorship categories depending on your relationship. Processing times range from 6-24 months depending on the program and your location.

Spousal Sponsorship

Who Can Sponsor

Canadian citizens or permanent residents 18+ years old, and must be in a genuine relationship with legal authority.

Requirements

Marriage certificate or common-law declaration, proof of relationship, police certificates, medical exams, and sponsorship agreement.

Financial Commitment

Sponsor commits to 3 years for couples, 10 years for dependent children depending on age and family situation.

Processing Time

6-12 months for in-Canada processing, 8-14 months for outside Canada (via Spousal Open Work Permits available).

  • No income threshold required (though sufficient income is assessed)
  • Spouse receives Open Work Permit while application is processed
  • Can sponsor from within Canada or outside Canada
  • Can re-apply if first application refused if circumstances changed

Eligibility Restrictions

Cannot Sponsor If:

You're in jail, owe support obligations, received social assistance for reasons other than disability, have an outstanding removal order, or are sponsoring someone you previously sponsored who didn't meet their conditions.

  • 5-Year Sponsorship Bar (March 2012 change): If a relationship breaks down, you cannot sponsor another spouse/partner for 5 years (with limited exceptions for dependent children involved)
  • Conditional PR (Oct 2012 onwards): Spouses who came to Canada via family sponsorship after October 2012 hold Conditional PR for 2 years and can lose status if the relationship breaks down
  • Prior sponsorships must be completed (not just submitted)
  • Cannot sponsor someone you married solely to gain immigration benefits

Work While Waiting (Open Work Permits)

As of December 2014, spouses of Canadian citizens can apply for an Open Work Permit to work anywhere in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. This applies to:

  • Spouses of Canadian citizens applying from inside Canada
  • Common-law partners of Canadian citizens
  • Spouses/partners whose applications are inside Canada as of Dec 9, 2014
  • Valid for the duration of the sponsorship application (up to 3 years)
  • Can work for any employer in Canada with no LMIA required

Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. This is a separate stream with specific requirements.

  • Who Can Sponsor: Must be 18+ years old, Canadian citizen or PR, have a valid job offer or valid income
  • Minimum Income Requirement: Varies based on family size and number of family members being sponsored
  • Financial Commitment: 20 years of financial responsibility
  • Processing Time: 12-16 months (subject to annual intake caps)
  • Limited Spots: Canada has annual intake caps for parent/grandparent sponsorship
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): Additional processing fee required

Annual Intake Caps

Parent/grandparent sponsorship is limited to a certain number of applications per year. When intake opens (typically February), spots fill quickly. You must apply during the open window to be eligible.

Super Visa (Alternative Option)

If you cannot meet the income requirements for parent/grandparent sponsorship, a Super Visa is an alternative that allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 2 years per visit.

  • Duration: Multiple entries, up to 2 years per visit (extendable)
  • Medical Insurance: Must purchase Canadian medical insurance from an approved provider
  • Financial Support Letter: Your sponsor must provide a letter of financial support
  • No Processing Caps: Unlike parent sponsorship, Super Visas are not subject to annual caps
  • Flexibility: Great option for temporary stays and visiting family while maintaining visa-free entry
  • Processing: 2-4 weeks for biometric exemptions; 4-8 weeks with biometrics

Sponsoring Dependent Children

  • Age Requirement: Usually under 22 (older if disabled/dependent)
  • Who Can Sponsor: Canadian citizens or PRs can sponsor their biological/adopted children
  • Financial Commitment: Until age 22 (or longer if disabled)
  • Processing Time: 6-12 months
  • No Age Limit Increases: If application is processing and child turns 22, they may be included if dependent
  • Orphaned Relatives: Can sponsor siblings and relatives in specific circumstances

Other Eligible Family Members

  • Adopted Children: Must be legally adopted before age 16
  • Orphaned Siblings: Can sponsor if under 18 and without living parents
  • Orphaned Nieces/Nephews: Can sponsor in specific cases if no other relatives
  • Disabled Adult Children: Can sponsor children over 22 if severely disabled and dependent
  • Sponsorship Requirements: All family members must pass security, medical, and criminality checks