Sponsoring Your Spouse or Family to Canada

Family reunification is a priority for Canada's immigration system. If you are a citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, parents, or grandparents.

Who can sponsor?

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is 18 or older and living in Canada. You must also be able to support your family members financially.

Sponsoring a spouse or partner

• You must be legally married or in a genuine common-law relationship.
• You must show that the relationship is genuine and ongoing.
• The spouse must pass medical and security checks.

Sponsoring dependent children

You can sponsor children under 22 who are unmarried and do not have a common-law partner.

Sponsoring parents and grandparents

The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) has limited intake. If you do not get selected, the Super Visa lets parents and grandparents visit Canada for up to five years at a time.

Minimum income requirements

For spouses and dependent children, there is usually no minimum income requirement. For parents and grandparents, you must meet the minimum necessary income (MNI).

The sponsorship undertaking

As a sponsor, you commit to financially supporting your family member for a set period after arrival. This is a legal commitment.

Common mistakes

• Not proving a genuine relationship
• Providing incomplete documents
• Missing deadline to respond to IRCC
• Applying for parents without meeting the income requirement

Family sponsorship applications are strict. Double-check all requirements or consult a professional if your case is complex.