Sponsorship
If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, age 18 or over, you can sponsor certain family members to become Canadian permanent residents. Your relative can then live, study and work in Canada.
Basic requirements for family sponsorship:
To be a sponsor:
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- you must be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits you to provide financial support for your relative, if necessary. This agreement also says the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support her or himself.
- Depending on the person you sponsor, additional obligations may be imposed.
Who you can sponsor:
- A spouse, a common-law partner or a conjugal partner
- Your dependent children
- Your parents and grandparents
- Your brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
- Another relative of any age or relationship but only under specific conditions
- Certain accompanying relatives of the above
1. Sponsorship for Spouse
Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet certain conditions can sponsor their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner to become permanent residents of Canada.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor Their Spouse, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner?
Sponsors must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Canadian citizens living outside Canada must show they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person(s) become permanent residents.
- Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot be sponsors.
- Be able to prove they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- Be able to provide for the basic needs of those being sponsored.
To sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, the sponsor must be financially responsible for the sponsored person(s) for at least 3 years from when they become permanent residents.
Income Requirement
In most cases, there is no income requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner.
Sponsors only need to show they meet income requirements if sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more children of their own.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
The person being sponsored and their family members must pass background, security and medical checks.
Spouse
- A spouse can be either sex and must be:
- Legally married to the sponsor.
- At least 18 years old.
Common-Law Partner
A common-law partner can be either sex and must:
- Be not legally married to the sponsor.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have been living with the sponsor for at least 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship without any long periods apart.
Proof of a common-law relationship includes:
- Shared ownership of residential property.
- Joint leases or rental agreements.
- Bills for shared utility accounts.
- Important documents showing the same address, such as driver’s licenses or insurance policies.
- Identification documents.
Conjugal Partner
- Be not legally married or in a common-law relationship with the sponsor.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have been in a relationship with the sponsor for at least 1 year.
- Live outside Canada.
- Be not able to live with the sponsor in their country of residence or marry the sponsor because of significant legal and immigration reasons, such as marital status, sexual orientation or persecution.
Choosing The Class of Application
- To sponsor a conjugal partner, submit an application under the Family Class. These applications are processed outside Canada.
- To sponsor a spouse or common-law partner, the application can be submitted under the Family Class or the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
2. Parents and Grandparents Program
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada. Parents and grandparents approved under this program receive Canadian permanent residence and may eventually be able to apply for Canadian citizenship.
You must have exceeded the Minimum Necessary Income requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for each of the past 3 taxation years before the date that you submit your application. The Minimum Necessary Income requirement is different for sponsors living in Quebec. Your MNI is assessed based on your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment.
NOTE: PGP Program was last Announced in 2021. PGP program is not announced ever year. Check CIC Website for lastest information about PGP. Another way to Invite parents is SUPER VISA.
3. Sponsorship For Dependent Children
Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet certain conditions can sponsor their dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor Their Dependent Children?
Sponsors must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Canadian citizens living outside Canada must show they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person(s) become permanent residents.
- Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot be sponsors.
- Be able to prove they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- Be able to provide for the basic needs of those being sponsored.
To sponsor a dependent child, the sponsor must be financially responsible for the sponsored person(s).
Person you sponsor Length of undertaking
- Dependent child (biological or adopted) or child to be adopted in Canada under 22 years of age – 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first
- Dependent child 22 years of age or older – 3 years
This includes providing financial support and repaying any social assistance received by the sponsored person(s) in that time.
The sponsor and the sponsored person(s) must also undertake a sponsorship agreement meaning:
- The sponsor will provide for the basic need of the sponsored person(s).
- The sponsored person(s) will try to support themselves and any family members.
4. Super Visa
Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents have another option to bring a parent or grandparent to Canada.
The Super Visa Program allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada as long-term visitors on a multi-entry visa that remains valid for up to 10 years. Unlike standard visitor visas, a Super Visa allows visa holders to stay in Canada for up to two years on initial entry to Canada.
The application process is similar to that for a regular TRV. However, additional documentation is required to ensure that the parents and grandparents will be well supported during their time in Canada. This requirement includes:
- A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada;
- Documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum (see table below);
- Proof of parental relationship with child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate that names him or her as a parent; and
- Proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a Canadian insurance company.
The application should be processed at the Canadian visa office responsible for the applicant’s place of residence outside of Canada. Depending on the visa office, additional documentation may be needed.
The complete application will be assessed with regard to a number of factors. The purpose of the visit to Canada will be examined, as well as whether parents or grandparents will maintain sufficient ties to their home country. This can be illustrated by showing family ties, finances, and other connections that lie outside of Canada.
All Super Visa applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination. Forms and instructions for this examination will be issued by the visa office after the application has been submitted.