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Sponsorship
Sponsorship
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Canada Family Sponsorship Visa
What Is Canada Family Sponsorship?
Family sponsorship applications are processed jointly by federal immigration authorities and, in the case of Quebec, by provincial immigration authorities as well. Sponsored family members receive permanent resident status, granting them the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada (or specifically in Quebec, if applicable).
Who Can Sponsor a Family Member to Canada?
To sponsor a family member, the sponsor must meet specific criteria. Generally, the sponsor must be:
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 years of age
- Living in Canada (or planning to return, in the case of citizens)
- Financially capable of supporting the sponsored family member
- Not subject to sponsorship bars, removal orders, or serious criminal inadmissibility
For certain categories, particularly parents and grandparents, sponsors must also meet minimum income requirements and commit to a long-term financial undertaking.
Family Members Eligible for Sponsorship
Canada’s family sponsorship program covers several categories, each with its own requirements and processing considerations.
Spouse, Common-Law Partner, and Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
Spousal and partner sponsorship remains the most frequently used family immigration pathway. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their legally married spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canada PR.Recent years have brought improvements in processing efficiency for spousal sponsorship. Most complete applications are now processed within approximately 12 months, provided documentation is complete, and the relationship is clearly genuine.
Open work permits are also available for sponsored spouses already living in Canada, allowing them to work while their PR application is under review.This category does not require minimum income thresholds (unless dependent children have children of their own), making it more accessible compared to other family sponsorship streams.
Dependent Children Sponsorship
Parents can sponsor their dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada. A dependent child is generally under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship. In certain cases, older children may qualify if they depend financially on their parents due to a physical or mental condition. Dependent child sponsorship remains one of the fastest-growing family sponsorship categories, with relatively straightforward eligibility criteria and fewer financial requirements for sponsors.
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Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. Due to extremely high demand, this program operates under intake caps and invitation-based systems. In recent years, the federal government has continued to rely on randomized invitation models using previously submitted interest-to-sponsor forms. While the program remains active, intake numbers are limited, and not all interested sponsors receive invitations in each round.
Sponsors must meet minimum necessary income (MNI) requirements for multiple consecutive years and commit to a long-term financial undertaking to support sponsored parents or grandparents. As an alternative, many families choose the Super Visa, which allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada long-term as temporary residents while waiting for PR opportunities.
Quebec Family Sponsorship – Important Differences & Recent Updates
Family sponsorship in Quebec follows a two-step process and differs significantly from the rest of Canada due to Quebec’s unique immigration agreement with the federal government. In addition to federal approval, Quebec sponsors must receive approval from Quebec immigration authorities and sign a Quebec-specific undertaking.
Key Quebec-Specific Updates (Up to December 2025)
- Quebec has significantly limited the number of family sponsorship undertakings it accepts annually, especially for parents and grandparents.
- Processing times for Quebec family sponsorship cases have increased compared to other provinces due to intake caps and administrative backlogs.
- Quebec continues to impose stricter financial requirements on sponsors compared to federal standards.
- Family sponsorship approvals in Quebec now align more closely with the province’s broader immigration intake targets, which emphasize integration capacity and public service availability.
These changes mean that family sponsorship in Quebec requires careful planning and timing, particularly for extended family categories.
Financial Obligations & Undertakings
When sponsoring a family member, sponsors must agree to financially support the sponsored person for a specified period. This undertaking ensures that the sponsored individual does not rely on social assistance.
- Spouse or partner: typically 3 years
- Dependent children: varies based on age
- Parents and grandparents: long-term undertakings with higher income thresholds
Failure to meet these obligations can result in sponsorship ineligibility for future applications.
Family Sponsorship Application Process – Step by Step
The family sponsorship process involves multiple stages and requires careful documentation. First, the sponsor submits a sponsorship application demonstrating eligibility and financial capacity. At the same time, the sponsored family member submits their permanent residence application, including medical exams, police certificates, and proof of relationship.
Once the sponsorship is approved, immigration authorities assess the admissibility of the sponsored person. This includes health, security, and background checks. If approved, the sponsored family member receives confirmation of permanent residence and can complete their landing process in Canada. For Quebec applicants, an additional provincial approval stage is required before the federal PR application proceeds.
Common Reasons for Delays or Refusals
Family sponsorship applications may be delayed or refused for several reasons, including incomplete documentation, insufficient proof of relationship, failure to meet financial requirements, or inadmissibility issues related to health or security. Quebec applications may experience additional delays due to provincial intake limits and processing backlogs, making accuracy and completeness especially important.
Recent Trends in Canada Family Sponsorship
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Family sponsorship applications involve legal, financial, and documentary requirements that must be handled with precision. Small errors or omissions can result in significant delays or refusals. Canada Immigration Global can help you:
- Assess sponsor and applicant eligibility
- Choose the right family sponsorship category
- Prepare strong relationship and financial documentation
- Navigate Quebec-specific sponsorship requirements
- Manage your application from submission to PR approval
People Also Ask
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.
You must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada, and meet the required Minimum Necessary Income (MNI).
Yes. Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income based on family size for the required number of tax years to prove financial ability.
Processing times can vary, but it usually takes several months to a few years, depending on application volume and IRCC processing.
The Super Visa is an alternative that allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 2 years at a time without renewing their status.
Start Your Family Sponsorship Journey Today
Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, child, parent, or grandparent, Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program offers a meaningful pathway to reunite your family permanently. With evolving policies and province-specific rules, especially in Quebec, having the right strategy is essential. Book a consultation with Canada Immigration Global today and take the next step toward securing Canada PR through family sponsorship with confidence and clarity.