Family Sponsorship

Spousal Sponsorship

The Spousal Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency. This pathway ensures that families can live together in Canada while building a stable life as a couple. It helps to sponsor your spouse, whether he is inside Canada or living outside Canada.

Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor:

• Citizenship/Residency:

  You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act.

• Age:

  You must be at least 18 years old.

• Residency:

  You must live in Canada, or if you are a Canadian citizen living abroad, you must show that you intend to live in Canada once your spouse becomes a permanent resident.

• Financial Capacity:

  You must be able to financially support your spouse and any dependent children, ensuring they won't need social assistance. You may need to prove your income for the three tax years preceding the application, and your spouse or partner may co-sign to combine incomes.

• Undertaking:

  You must sign an undertaking to financially support your spouse or partner for a specific period.

• Eligibility of the Spouse/Partner:

  Your spouse or partner must be admissible to Canada, meaning they meet all the requirements for permanent residency.

Who can be Sponsored:

• Spouse:

  A person legally married to you.

• Common-law Partner:

  A person you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

• Conjugal Partner:

  A person you have been in a committed relationship with for at least one year, but may not be living with due to exceptional legal or social barriers.

Parents and Grandparents Program

The Parents and Grandparents Program gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Successful applicants receive permanent residency, allowing families to stay close and benefit from multi-generational support.

Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor:

• Eligibilty:

  Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, who are at least 18 years old and living in Canada, can sponsor their parents and grandparents.

• Financial Requirements:

  Sponsors must demonstrate sufficient income to support the sponsored individuals.

• Invitation Process:

  An "interest to sponsor" form was required in the past, and those who submitted the form in 2020 are now being invited to apply.

• Application Process:

  Invitations to apply will be sent out starting July 28, 2025. Those invited must submit their complete application by the deadline specified in the invitation.

• Super Visa Option:

  Individuals who are not invited to apply under the PGP can explore the Super Visa option for their parents and grandparents to visit Canada.

• Processing Times:

  Processing times for PGP applications can be lengthy, potentially taking 24 months or more, according to the Canadian government.

Child Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children for permanent residency under the Child Sponsorship program. This pathway is designed to ensure children can live, study, and grow up in Canada with their families.

Eligibility Highlights:

• The child must be under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship.

• If the child is 22 or older, they may still qualify if they have depended on their parents financially due to a physical or mental condition.

• The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old.

• The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).