Who Can Sponsor?
Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older who are residing in Canada may sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence. Sponsors must meet a Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold and sign an undertaking — a legal promise to financially support the sponsored person for a set period after they arrive in Canada.
Sponsorship Disqualifiers
You cannot sponsor a family member if any of the following apply to you:
- You are receiving social assistance (except for disability-related assistance)
- You are in default on a previous sponsorship undertaking
- You owe unpaid alimony or child support payments ordered by a court
- You have criminal convictions involving violence, sexual offences, or offences against family members
- You have been declared bankrupt and have not been discharged
- You were previously sponsored as a spouse and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
Who Can Be Sponsored?
Must be legally married, have cohabited continuously for 12+ months (common-law), or be in a conjugal relationship for 12+ months where cohabitation is impossible. Both parties must be 18+. The relationship must be proven genuine.
Children under 22 with no spouse or common-law partner. Children over 22 may qualify if they are financially dependent due to a mental or physical condition that prevents them from supporting themselves.
Subject to annual intake limits through an invitation-based (lottery) system. Alternatively, the Super Visa provides temporary status for up to 5 years at a time — a popular alternative.
Legal adoption must be complete. Child must be under 18 at the time of adoption. A legal break with the biological family must be established as required by Canadian adoption law.
A sibling, nephew/niece, or grandchild under 18 whose parent is deceased, and who is not married or in a common-law relationship. This is a humanitarian category with strict requirements.
If you have no relatives in Canada and no qualifying relatives abroad, you may sponsor one relative of any age — even a distant relative. This is a last-resort humanitarian provision.
Minimum Income Requirements (MNI)
The following income thresholds apply based on total family size (including yourself, the sponsored person, and any existing dependants):
| Family Size | Annual Income Required |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $26,426 |
| 2 persons | $32,898 |
| 3 persons | $40,444 |
| 4 persons | $49,106 |
| 5 persons | $55,694 |
| 6 persons | $62,814 |
| 7 persons | $69,934 |
Application Process
The sponsor completes and signs the sponsorship application forms, including the Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking.
The sponsored person completes their own application package, including IMM 0008 (Generic Application), IMM 5669 (Schedule A), IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information), and IMM 5562 (Supplementary Information).
Pay the required fees: $75 sponsorship fee + $490 processing fee per principal applicant + $515 Right of Permanent Residence Fee + biometrics ($85 per person).
IRCC will request medical examinations from an IRCC-approved physician, police certificates from each country lived in for 6+ months since age 18, and biometric enrollment.
A decision is rendered. If approved, a PR visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) are issued. The sponsored person then lands in Canada as a permanent resident.
Processing Times
| Category | Approximate Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Spouse / Common-Law / Conjugal Partner | 10–12 months |
| Dependent Child | 10–12 months |
| Parents and Grandparents | 20–24 months |
| Other Relatives | 12–24 months |
Government Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee (per sponsorship) | $75 |
| Principal applicant processing fee | $490 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $515 |
| Dependent child under 22 | $75 each |
| Biometrics | $85 per person |
If you cannot sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residence (or are waiting for an invitation), the Super Visa is an excellent alternative. It allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with re-entry for up to 5 years total without renewal. Requirements include private medical insurance for the visitor and the sponsor's income meeting MNI thresholds.
Undertaking Periods
When you sign an undertaking, you become legally responsible for the financial needs of the sponsored person. The duration of responsibility varies by category:
| Category | Undertaking Duration |
|---|---|
| Spouse / Common-Law / Conjugal Partner | 3 years from date of PR approval |
| Dependent child (22 or over) | 3 years from date of PR approval |
| Dependent child under 22 | 10 years or until age 25 (whichever comes first) |
| Parents / Grandparents | 20 years from date of PR approval |
Frequently Asked Questions
Permanent residents must be physically residing in Canada to sponsor. Canadian citizens living abroad can sponsor a spouse, but must demonstrate their clear intention to return to Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
Yes — spouses and common-law partners applying from within Canada (inland sponsorship) can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit simultaneously with the sponsorship application. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada during the processing period.
IRCC investigates carefully to prevent marriage fraud. If your relationship is questioned, provide extensive proof: wedding photos, communication records going back years, joint financial accounts, joint lease or mortgage, travel records showing time spent together, and statutory declarations from family members and friends who know you as a couple. An RCIC can help you build a compelling file.
Yes. Certain convictions — particularly those involving violence, sexual offences, or offences against family members — are disqualifying. The specific offences and timelines matter greatly. Always consult an RCIC before applying if you have any criminal history.
A common-law partner has lived continuously with the sponsor for at least 12 months. A conjugal partner has been in a committed relationship for 12+ months but has been unable to cohabit or marry due to extraordinary circumstances — such as an immigration barrier, religious prohibition, or persecution based on sexual orientation. The conjugal category is rare and scrutinized carefully by IRCC.