Free resource: Download the free Canada Immigration Checklist to track every step of your application — from gathering documents to landing in Canada. Get the free checklist →
1. Who Can Be a Sponsor
To sponsor a family member for Canadian permanent residence, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must hold citizenship or PR status in Canada. Refugees protected by Canada also qualify.
- At least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit for sponsors, but you must be a legal adult.
- Living in Canada or intending to return. Canadian citizens who live abroad may still sponsor a spouse or dependent child, but must show intent to live in Canada once the sponsored person gets PR. PRs must be living in Canada to sponsor.
- Not receiving social assistance. Sponsors cannot be on social assistance for reasons other than a disability at the time of application.
- Meet income thresholds (for parents and grandparents). The Parent and Grandparent Program requires sponsors to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) + 30% for three consecutive years prior to the application. See the income requirements section below.
- No serious criminal or immigration history. Sponsors with certain criminal convictions (especially involving violence or sexual offences) or a history of previous sponsorship default are barred.
By signing the sponsorship undertaking, you commit to financially supporting the sponsored person and ensuring they do not need to apply for government social assistance. The undertaking lasts 3 years for spouses and children, and 20 years for parents and grandparents.
2. Who Can Be Sponsored
Canada's Family Class immigration covers three main categories of sponsored persons:
Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner
This is by far the most common sponsorship pathway. You can sponsor someone you are legally married to, someone you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months (common-law), or someone with whom you have had a conjugal relationship for at least one year but cannot live together or marry due to immigration barriers or legal reasons (conjugal partner).
Same-sex couples are treated identically to opposite-sex couples across all three categories.
Dependent Children
You can sponsor your biological or adopted child who is under 22 years of age and does not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children 22 and older may still qualify if they have been continuously enrolled as a full-time student since before age 22, or if they have a physical or mental condition that makes them financially dependent on you.
Parents and Grandparents
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and PRs to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. The program has limited intake each year (approximately 20,000–24,000 spots) and uses an expression of interest process. Given the long wait times, the Super Visa — which allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per entry on a multiple-entry visa — is a popular interim alternative.
3. Spousal Sponsorship: Inland vs. Outland
Spousal and partner sponsorship is the most commonly used Family Class pathway in Canada. In 2026, IRCC processes this application in two streams depending on where your spouse currently lives:
| Inland | Outland | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Sponsored person is inside Canada | Sponsored person is outside Canada |
| Work while waiting? | Yes — eligible for Open Work Permit during processing | No — must wait abroad until PR is approved |
| Processing time (2026) | ~12 months | ~11 months |
| Travel restrictions | Leaving Canada may abandon the application | Sponsored person can remain in home country freely |
Step-by-Step: How Spousal Sponsorship Works
- 1
Sponsor submits Stage 1 application
The Canadian citizen or PR (the sponsor) submits an application to IRCC to be approved as a sponsor. This includes completing the sponsorship application forms, paying the sponsorship fee (CAD $75), and submitting proof of status and identity.
- 2
IRCC approves sponsorship eligibility
IRCC reviews the sponsor application and confirms the sponsor meets all eligibility requirements. For inland applications, the sponsored person's Open Work Permit is typically issued at the same time or shortly after this step is approved.
- 3
Sponsored person submits PR application
The sponsored person submits a permanent residence application (Stage 2). This includes the IMM 0008 application forms, proof of relationship (marriage certificate, photos, communication logs, joint financial documents), identity documents, police certificates, and medical exam results.
- 4
Biometrics
If the sponsored person has not previously given biometrics in Canada within the last 10 years, they will be asked to attend a biometrics collection appointment at a local Visa Application Centre or IRCC office.
- 5
Background and security checks
IRCC conducts security screening and criminality checks. Police certificates from every country the sponsored person has lived in for 6 months or more since the age of 18 are required.
- 6
Medical examination
The sponsored person must complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-designated physician. Medical results are valid for 12 months and must remain valid when PR is issued.
- 7
Decision and landing
Once IRCC approves the application, the sponsored person will receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if outside Canada, a Permanent Resident Visa. They must land in Canada before the COPR expiry date. Inland applicants can simply confirm their PR status at a local IRCC office.
Tip for sponsors working toward PR themselves: Many family class sponsors are also Canadian PRs who may want to improve their own immigration standing. The Express Entry Complete Toolkit ($19.99) → is a step-by-step guide to building a competitive CRS score — ideal for sponsors who are PRs and thinking about their own citizenship pathway.
If your spouse is already in Canada on a work or study permit, they may also be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit while their PR application is in processing — allowing them to work for any employer without an LMIA.
4. Parent & Grandparent Program (PGP)
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is one of the most sought-after immigration pathways in Canada — and also one of the most competitive. Here's what you need to know for 2026:
Limited Annual Intake
IRCC accepts approximately 20,000–24,000 applications per year under PGP. The program uses an expression of interest model: IRCC opens an online portal and invites potential sponsors to submit an Interest to Sponsor (ITS) form. Selected sponsors are then invited to submit a full sponsorship application. If you are not selected in a given year, you can re-register in the next intake.
Income Requirements
PGP sponsors must demonstrate that their income meets or exceeds the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), which is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, for each of the three consecutive tax years immediately preceding the application. The MNI varies by household size. See the income requirements table below for 2026 figures.
Processing Time
PGP applications currently take 24–36 months to process once a full application is submitted. This is significantly longer than spousal or dependent child sponsorship. Factor this timeline into your planning — your parents or grandparents will need alternative arrangements (e.g., visitor visas) while the application is in processing.
Super Visa: The Faster Alternative
While waiting for PGP to process — or if you are not selected in the lottery — consider the Super Visa. A Parent and Grandparent Super Visa allows your parents or grandparents to:
- Stay in Canada for up to 5 years per entry (extended from 2 years in recent policy changes)
- Enter and exit Canada multiple times over 10 years
- Processing time: approximately 8 weeks — far faster than PGP
Super Visa applicants must have valid Canadian medical insurance worth at least CAD $100,000, purchased from a Canadian provider, covering health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
5. Dependent Child Sponsorship
Sponsoring your dependent child is one of the simpler Family Class pathways. There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a child (unlike the PGP), and processing time is approximately 12 months.
Age Requirements
A dependent child must be under 22 years of age and must not have a spouse or common-law partner at the time of the PR application. Children who are 22 or older may still qualify if they:
- Have been continuously enrolled as full-time students since before age 22 and remain financially dependent on you
- Have a physical or mental condition that makes them substantially and continuously financially dependent on you
Lock-in Date
The child's age is locked in at the time your complete PR application is received by IRCC — not at the time of final decision. This means a child who is under 22 when the application is submitted remains eligible even if they turn 22 during processing.
6. Income Requirements
Income requirements differ significantly by sponsorship category. Here is a summary:
| Category | Income Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse / Partner | None (in most cases) | Exception: if sponsor previously sponsored a spouse and that person currently receives social assistance |
| Dependent Child | None | No minimum income required |
| Parents & Grandparents (PGP) | LICO + 30% for 3 consecutive years | Applies to total household income; varies by household size |
2026 LICO + 30% Reference (Minimum Necessary Income for PGP)
| Household Size | Minimum Income (LICO +30%) |
|---|---|
| 2 people | $43,667 |
| 3 people | $53,695 |
| 4 people | $65,177 |
| 5 people | $73,949 |
| 6 people | $83,408 |
| 7 or more | $92,868+ |
Figures are approximate and based on IRCC's 2026 published tables. Household size includes the sponsor, co-signer (if any), dependent children, and the people being sponsored. Always confirm current figures on the IRCC website before applying.
7. Processing Times 2026
As of June 2026, IRCC's published processing time targets for family sponsorship applications are:
| Category | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Spouse / Partner (Inland) | 12 months |
| Spouse / Partner (Outland) | 11 months |
| Dependent Child | 12 months |
| Parents & Grandparents (PGP) | 24–36 months |
| Super Visa | 8 weeks |
Processing times are IRCC's stated targets and are subject to change. Individual cases may take longer depending on the volume of applications, completeness of documentation, and security or medical check results. Always check the current estimates on IRCC's website.
For context on how family sponsorship interacts with other immigration pathways, see our guides to Canada PR requirements and Express Entry 2026.
8. Documents Checklist
The exact documents required depend on the category of sponsorship. Below is a general checklist covering the most common items across all family class applications:
For the Sponsor
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (passport, citizenship certificate) or permanent resident card
- Identity documents (valid passport, government-issued ID)
- Proof of income: Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the past 3 tax years (required for PGP; recommended for all categories)
- If applicable: divorce certificate or death certificate of previous spouse
- Completed sponsorship application forms (IMM 1344, IMM 5481, and others as applicable)
- Sponsorship application fee: CAD $75 (sponsorship fee) + CAD $570 (principal applicant PR fee) + right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) of CAD $575
For the Sponsored Person
- Valid passport (must remain valid through landing; apply for renewal if needed)
- Proof of relationship: marriage certificate (with certified translation), wedding or event photos spanning time, joint bank account or credit card statements, shared lease or mortgage, communication logs (chat history, emails, call records)
- Police certificates from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18
- Immigration medical exam completed by an IRCC-designated physician (IME — must be within 12 months of PR issuance)
- Biometrics (if not collected within the past 10 years in Canada)
- Children's birth certificates (if sponsoring children or if dependent children are included in the application)
- Adoption order (if sponsoring an adopted child)
Pro tip: For spousal and partner applications, more relationship evidence is always better. IRCC is looking for a genuine, ongoing relationship. Include evidence from multiple points in time — not just recent documents. Photos, communication records, and joint finances from across the relationship timeline are the most persuasive.
9. Common Reasons for Refusal
Understanding why family sponsorship applications are refused is key to avoiding the same mistakes:
- 1
Doubts about the genuineness of the relationship
For spousal and partner applications, IRCC officers assess whether the relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Insufficient relationship evidence, inconsistent timelines, or contradictory answers during interviews are common triggers for refusal.
- 2
Previous sponsorship in default
If you previously sponsored a spouse or partner and that person currently receives government social assistance, you are barred from sponsoring again until they are no longer receiving it. IRCC cross-references social assistance databases.
- 3
Criminal record
Sponsors with certain criminal convictions — particularly those involving violence, sexual offences, or crimes against family members — are barred from sponsoring. Even convictions for which you have served your sentence may disqualify you depending on the nature of the offence.
- 4
Bankruptcy
If you have declared bankruptcy and it has not been discharged, you cannot sponsor parents or grandparents. You may still sponsor a spouse or child, but this should be disclosed.
- 5
Failing to meet income requirements (PGP)
For the Parent and Grandparent Program, sponsors who cannot demonstrate the required LICO + 30% income for all three consecutive prior tax years will be refused. This is one of the most common refusal grounds for PGP applicants.
- 6
Inadmissibility of the sponsored person
The person you are sponsoring must also meet admissibility requirements. Serious medical conditions, criminal history, or security concerns on the sponsored person's side can result in refusal regardless of the sponsor's eligibility.
If you are a new permanent resident who is also thinking about the PGWP-to-PR transition timeline, understanding your eligibility windows early will help you plan the sponsorship application without conflicts.
10. Summary & Next Steps
Family sponsorship is one of the most emotionally significant — and administratively complex — parts of Canada's immigration system. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, bringing your children to join you, or working toward reunification with your parents, the process rewards careful preparation and complete documentation.
Quick Recap
- Sponsors must be Canadian citizens or PRs, 18+, living in Canada, and not on social assistance.
- Spouses and partners: no income requirement in most cases. PGP: must meet LICO + 30% for 3 years.
- Spousal sponsorship inland takes ~12 months; outland takes ~11 months. Inland sponsors get an Open Work Permit during processing.
- PGP accepts 20,000–24,000 applications per year via a lottery process. Consider the Super Visa as a faster alternative.
- Dependent children under 22 can be sponsored with no income requirement and ~12-month processing.
- Build a strong relationship evidence package — photos, communication records, and joint finances across the full timeline of your relationship.
- Common refusal reasons: relationship doubts, previous sponsorship default, criminal record, and income shortfall (PGP).
Recommended Guide
Canada Immigration Starter Guide
New to Canada's immigration system? This guide covers every major pathway — including family sponsorship — with eligibility criteria and a step-by-step PR application breakdown.
$19.99