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Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP OF SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNER

Family reunification is a fundamental principle of Canadian immigration policy. The Spouse or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residency in Canada. Below is an overview of the process:

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsors:

  • Canadian Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
     

  • Minimum Age: Sponsors must be at least 18 years old.
     

  • Financial Stability: While there is no minimum income threshold, sponsors must demonstrate the ability to support their spouse or common-law partner financially.
     

  • No Sponsorship Restrictions: Sponsors must not be subject to a sponsorship ban, such as those due to bankruptcy or failure to support a previously sponsored relative.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsored Individuals:

  • Relationship Verification: Proof of marriage (for spouses) or evidence of at least one year of cohabitation (for common-law partners) is required.
     

  • Admissibility: The sponsored person must meet admissibility criteria, including security clearance, medical examinations, and a clean criminal record.

Types of Sponsorship:

  • Inland Sponsorship: Suitable for couples already living together in Canada. The sponsored person may apply for an open work permit while the application is in progress.
     

  • Outland Sponsorship: For spouses or partners residing outside Canada. This process may require interviews at Canadian visa offices abroad and often has faster processing times.

PARENT AND

GRANDPARENT SPONSORSHIP

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent
residents to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada as permanent residents, facilitating
family reunification. Below are the details of the process:

Eligibility Requirements
for Sponsors:

  • Canadian Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
     

  • Financial Capacity: The sponsor must prove they can financially support their parents or grandparents.
     

  • Minimum Income Requirement: Sponsors must meet the required income level based on their family size and the number of individuals they are sponsoring.
     

  • No Sponsorship Restrictions: Sponsors must not have outstanding sponsorship obligations or financial defaults from previous sponsorship agreements.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsored
Parents or Grandparents:

  • Proof of Relationship:
    Documents such as birth certificates or marriage records must be provided.
     

  • Admissibility:
    Sponsored individuals must meet Canadian immigration requirements, including health, security, and background checks.

DEPENDENT CHILD/
RELATIVE SPONSORSHIP

The Dependent Child/Relative Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent
residents to sponsor their dependent children or other eligible relatives to become permanent
residents of Canada, reinforcing family unity. Below are the key details:

Eligibility Requirements for
Sponsored Dependent Children:

  • Age and Marital Status: Children must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Those over 22 may qualify if they have a physical or mental condition requiring ongoing financial support from their parents.
     

  • Proof of Relationship: Birth certificates, adoption documents, or other legal evidence of the parent-child relationship are required.

Other Relative
Sponsorship:

  • Orphaned Relatives: Eligible if they are under 18 years old, not married or in a common-law relationship, and are a sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild of the sponsor.
     

  • Other Relatives: If a sponsor has no living relatives (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew) in Canada or eligible for sponsorship, they may sponsor one relative of any age or relationship.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA FOR SPONSORS

To sponsor a family member for immigration to Canada, sponsors must meet specific criteria to
ensure their financial and legal ability to support the sponsored individual. Below are the general
requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SPONSORS:

Canadian Status:

The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a
registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.

Age Requirement:

Must be at least 18 years old.

Financial Stability:

  • Must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement where applicable.

  • Must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits).

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND:

  • Must not be in prison, on parole, or on probation.

  • Must not be an undischarged bankrupt.

  • Must not be under a removal order.

  • Must not have been convicted of serious crimes, particularly those involving family violence.

SPECIFIC SPONSORSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

Spouse or Partner:

Proof of a genuine relationship is required.

Dependent Children:

Documentation proving the parent-child relationship is mandatory.

Parents and Grandparents:

​​Higher financial thresholds apply, and sponsors must commit
to financial support for 20 years.

Other Relatives:

If no close relatives are living in Canada or eligible for sponsorship, a sponsor may be allowed to bring one family member of any age or relationship.

By meeting these eligibility requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can help
their loved ones immigrate to Canada, ensuring strong family connections and community integration.

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