Immigration Pathway
Family Sponsorship
Reunite with your spouse, partner, children, or parents in Canada — we handle every step of the process.
What is Family Sponsorship?
Canada's family class sponsorship lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor close family members to become permanent residents. The most common categories are spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children, and parents and grandparents (the latter under the Parents and Grandparents Program, which has a limited annual intake).
Sponsorship comes with a legal commitment called the undertaking. By signing it, you agree to provide for your sponsored family member's basic needs and to repay any social assistance they receive during the undertaking period. The length of that period depends on the category — shorter for spouses and partners, considerably longer for parents and grandparents.
The biggest risks in sponsorship applications are usually not eligibility but presentation: relationship genuineness, document completeness, and financial proof. We help you build a file that anticipates IRCC's questions before they're asked.
Eligibility
Do you qualify?
Sponsors and sponsored persons each need to meet specific requirements. These are the most common, but exact criteria are set by IRCC and can change, so treat this as a starting point rather than a final checklist.
- The sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18 or older
- The sponsor meets the income threshold that applies to their category (an income test applies to parent and grandparent sponsorships; there is generally no income test for spouses or dependent children)
- The sponsor is not bankrupt, not in default on a previous undertaking, and not receiving social assistance (with a limited exception for disability)
- The relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes
- The sponsored person is not inadmissible on criminal, medical, or security grounds
The Process
How it works
From confirming eligibility to your family member's arrival in Canada, here's the path.
- 1
Confirm sponsor and sponsored eligibility
We review the sponsor's status, income (where applicable), and the relationship category to confirm both parties qualify before any forms are filed.
- 2
Gather documents
Relationship evidence, financial records, ID and civil documents, photos, and affidavits. We give you a precise list and review every document for completeness.
- 3
Submit the sponsorship application
The sponsor and sponsored person applications are filed together with IRCC, with the undertaking signed and supporting evidence attached.
- 4
Relationship assessment
IRCC reviews the genuineness of the relationship. Additional evidence — or, in some cases, an interview — may be requested.
- 5
Medical & biometrics
The sponsored person completes a medical exam with an IRCC-approved physician and provides biometrics at a Visa Application Centre.
- 6
Decision & arrival
Once approved, the sponsored person receives their Confirmation of Permanent Residence and (if required) a PR visa, then completes landing in Canada.
Ready to apply for Family Sponsorship?
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. We'll review your relationship category and tell you what your application will need.
Book a Free ConsultationDisclaimer
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs and their requirements, eligible occupations and NOC codes, language levels, points and scoring, draw cut-offs, processing times, deadlines, settlement-fund amounts, and government fees change frequently and without notice. Details described here may be out of date by the time you read them. Always confirm current requirements on the official Government of Canada website (canada.ca) and book a consultation for advice specific to your situation. Nothing here guarantees an invitation, approval, or any particular outcome.