Family Sponsorship

The Canadian government is committed to bringing families together from all over the world through the process of family sponsorship. Once your relatives become permanent residents, they will be able to study, live, and work in Canada. Under Family Class Sponsorship, you may be eligible to sponsor your:

• Spouse
  • Legally married to you

  • At least 18 years of age

• Common-law partner
  • Not legally married to you
  • At least 18 years of age

  • Living with you for at least 12 consecutive months

• Conjugal partner
  • Not legally married to you or in common-law relationship
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Been in relationship with you for at least 1 year
  • Lives outside of Canada

  • Legal and immigration reasons preventing you from marrying and living with one another

• Dependent children
  • Under 22 years of age
  • Don’t have a spouse or common-law partner

  • Children over the age of 22 years old qualify as dependents if:
    • They cannot support themselves financially due to physical or mental condition

    • They relied on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22

• Parents
• Grandparents

What are the requirements?

As a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years of age and a:

• Canadian citizen or
• Permanent resident of Canada or
• Person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act

In addition to the criteria above, there are also income requirements to be eligible as a sponsor. You may be required to provide proof of income to prove you can financially support whom you wish to sponsor.