Family Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones through the Family Sponsorship program, which aims to foster family unity and build a shared future in Canada. Eligible sponsors can apply for permanent residency for their spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and other family members through various sponsorship programs. 

To ensure that sponsored family members can successfully integrate into Canadian society, sponsors must meet specific eligibility and financial criteria, even though the application process is designed to be inclusive. 

Spouse or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship 

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner to become permanent residents of Canada. 

Qualification Requirements: 

• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old. 

• The relationship must be legally recognized through marriage or common-law status for at least one year. 

• The sponsor must not have sponsored another spouse or partner within the last five years. 

• The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to financially support the sponsored spouse or partner. 

Application Types: 

1. Inland Sponsorship: If the spouse or partner is already in Canada, they can be sponsored through the inland process. 
2. Outland Sponsorship: If the spouse or partner resides outside of Canada, they may be eligible for outland sponsorship. 

Processing times typically range from 12 to 24 months, depending on the applicant’s country of residence. 

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). 

Qualification Requirements: 

• The sponsor must have met the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements for three consecutive years. 

• A 20-year financial commitment is required to ensure the sponsored individual does not need social assistance. 

This program operates on a lottery system, where interested sponsors submit an Expression of Interest, and a selected group is invited to apply. 

Dependent Child Sponsorship 

Dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also be sponsored for permanent residency in Canada. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

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

• If the child is over 22, they must be financially dependent on their parents due to a mental or physical condition. 

• Legal documents, such as birth certificates or adoption papers, are required to prove the relationship between the sponsor and the child. 

Other/Lonely Family Member Sponsorship 

In certain cases, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may sponsor a lonely family member who has no other relatives in Canada. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• The sponsor’s parents, siblings, spouse, or other family members must not reside in Canada. 

• The sponsored relative must be either a biological or adopted family member. 

Super Visa 

The Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with multiple entries valid for up to ten years. 

Qualification Requirements: 

• The sponsor must meet a minimum income requirement. 

• The applicant must pass medical exams and have valid medical insurance coverage of at least $100,000 CAD. 

• The sponsor in Canada must provide a letter of invitation. 

The Super Visa is an excellent alternative for those who do not qualify for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). 

Financial Requirements 

The financial requirements for Family Sponsorship applications vary depending on the program and the number of individuals being sponsored. 

Sponsorship Minimum Necessary Income (MNI): 

• The sponsor must demonstrate financial stability for three consecutive years. 

• Sponsors of parents and grandparents must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) + 30% threshold. 

• Financial commitments range from three to ten years for spouses and children and twenty years for parents and grandparents. 

These requirements ensure that sponsored family members can integrate into Canadian society without relying on government assistance. 

Steps to Apply for Family Sponsorship 

1. Eligibility Check: Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor. 
2. Sponsor Eligibility: Ensure that the family members you wish to sponsor are eligible. 
3. Application Submission: Apply to the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the federal level. If you reside in Quebec, you must also apply to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI). Submit your sponsorship application along with your family members’ applications for permanent residence (PR). The PR application will be reviewed once your eligibility as a sponsor is confirmed. 
4. Application Fee: Pay the required application fee for family sponsorship. 
5. Submission Address: Submit your application to the correct address. The government website provides a sponsorship guide with detailed information.