Family Sponsorship

The Family Class allows permanent residents and Canadian citizens to sponsor their immediate family members (i.e., their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and dependent children), as well as parents and grandparents, for immigration to Canada.

The permanent resident or Canadian citizen must undertake to provide for the basic needs of their sponsored relative for a set period of time, depending on the nature of the relationship.

This program facilitates family reunification while ensuring that there is no undue cost to the general public.

Spouse/ Partner/ Dependent Child

A key objective of Canadian immigration policy is to reunite close family members.  Spouses, partners and dependent children (including adopted children) of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can be sponsored for permanent resident status.

The sponsor, who is a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, is responsible for providing the basic needs of his or her spouse or partner for three years, and for their dependent children for up to 10 years.  Processing involves determining the sponsor’s ability to meet the sponsorship obligations and verifying the bona fides of the relationships. Given the close family relationships involved, these family members are the highest priority for processing.

Parent/ Grandparent

This program makes it possible for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to be reunited with their extended family members.  Permanent residence status can be granted to sponsored foreign nationals who are the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Sponsors must demonstrate, on the basis of three years of Canada Revenue Agency documentation, that they meet minimum necessary income thresholds to sponsor, and can meet their sponsorship obligations (which include providing for the basic needs of their parents and grandparents for 20 years).