Overview

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and at least 18 years old, you can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada. Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents.

Requirements of the Sponsor

Sponsors must provide proof that they can:

• meet basic needs—such as food, clothing and shelter—for themselves and family,
• support their relative financially and
• ensure their spouse or relative does not need to ask for financial help from the government.

Who Can Be Sponsored

A citizen or permanent resident of Canada can sponsor their:

• Spouse
• Common-Law or Conjugal Partner
• Dependent Children (Under 19 years of age)
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Orphaned close Relatives
• Other Relatives (

1) Sponsoring a Spouse, Partner or Dependent Child

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is at least 18 years of age can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (partner), or dependent children.

A sponsor must:

• agree in writing to give financial support to their relative, if they need it
  • for a spouse or partner, this lasts for three years from the date they become a permanent resident, and
  • for a dependent child, this lasts for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.

A sponsor may not be eligible to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child if they:

• did not meet the terms of a sponsorship agreement in the past,
• did not pay alimony or child support even though a court ordered it,
• get government financial help for reasons other than being disabled,
• were convicted of
  • an offence of a sexual nature,
  • a violent crime,
  • an offence against a relative that resulted in bodily harm or
  • an attempt or threat to commit any such offences, depending on the details of the case,
• were sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner in the past and became a permanent resident of Canada less than five years ago,
• did not pay back an immigration loan, made late payments or missed payments,
• are in prison or
• have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.

2) Sponsoring a Parent or Grandparent

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is at least 18 years of age can sponsor a parent or grandparent.

A sponsor must:

• sign a sponsorship agreement that commits them to provide financial support for their relative if necessary (sponsored relative must also sign agreement). This agreement also states that the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support themselves. Dependent children under age 22 do not have to sign this agreement
• must promise to provide financial support for the relative and any other eligible relatives accompanying them for a period of three to ten years, depending on their age and relationship to you. 

A sponsor may not be eligible to sponsor a parent or grandparent if they:

• failed to provide the financial support they agreed to when they signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor another relative in the past
• defaulted on a court-ordered support order, such as alimony or child support
• received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability
• were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence
• defaulted on an immigration loan—late or missed payments
• are in prison or
• have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.

3) Sponsoring an Orphaned Close Relative or Other Eligible Relatives

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is at least 18 years of age can sponsor an orphaned close relative or other eligible relatives.

A sponsor must:

• meet set income guidelines, and
• agree in writing to give financial support to your relative and any other eligible relatives coming with them for up to 10 years, depending on their age and how you are related. (This time period begins on the date they become a permanent resident.)

A sponsor may not be eligible to sponsor an orphaned close relative or other eligible relatives if they:

• sponsored another relative in the past and did not meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement,
• are in default of alimony or child support payments,
• got government financial help for reasons other than being disabled,
• were convicted of a violent crime, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence, depending on details of the case, such as
  • the type of offence,
  • how long ago it was and
  • whether a record suspension was issued
• did not pay back an immigration loan, made late payments or missed payments,
• are in prison, or
• have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet.

Option 1 – Orphaned close relatives

Close relatives, related by blood or adoption, such as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren can be sponsored only if they meet all of the following conditions:

• They are orphaned,
• They are under 18, and
• They do not have a spouse, common law partner, or conjugal partner.

Option 2 – Other relative

One relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age can be sponsored if the sponsor meets all of the following conditions:

• the sponsor does not have a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, or one of the following living relatives they could sponsor instead:
  • son or daughter,
  • parent,
  • grandparent,
  • brother or sister,
  • uncle, aunt,
  • nephew or niece.
• the sponsor does not have any of the above-named relatives who is a:
  • Canadian citizen,
  • permanent resident, or
  • registered Indian under the Indian Act.

For further information regarding the procedures for applying under the Family Class, please contact our office.