Family Sponsorship Canada

What is Family Sponsorship in Canada?

Family sponsorship in Canada is a key part of the country’s immigration system, designed to help reunite families by allowing Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives to become permanent residents. This program reflects Canada’s commitment to keeping families together, while also ensuring sponsors can financially support their relatives once they arrive in Canada.

There are several types of family sponsorship programs available under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including:

• Spouse or Common-law Partner Sponsorship – For legally married partners or partners living together in a marriage-like relationship.
• Dependent Child Sponsorship – For children under 22 years old who are not married or in a common-law relationship.
• Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship – For sponsoring biological or adoptive parents and grandparents.
• Orphaned Relative Sponsorship – For orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren under 18 years of age.
• Other Relative Sponsorship (in special cases) – For one extended family member if the sponsor has no other eligible relatives to sponsor.

How Long Does Family Sponsorship Take in Canada?

The processing time for family sponsorship in Canada can vary widely depending on several factors. It depends on the type of relationship, the completeness of the application, and specific background or security checks required for the sponsored person. Some countries take longer to complete background verifications, which can cause additional delays. If any documents are missing or further information is needed, the process can be extended even more.

Another important factor is the province where the family plans to live. If the sponsor and the sponsored person intend to settle in Quebec, the processing time can be two to three times longer compared to other provinces. This is due to Quebec’s separate immigration process, which includes additional approvals from the provincial government. To avoid delays, it is important to prepare a full application, respond quickly to any IRCC requests, and understand how the country of citizenship and province of residence may affect the overall timeline.

Processing times change every month. To check the current processing times for every specific program, check the IRCC official page here.

How to Apply for Family Sponsorship in Canada

To apply for family sponsorship in Canada, the sponsor must first make sure they are eligible under the rules set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application includes two parts: one for the sponsor and one for the person being sponsored, both submitted together in a single package. If the family intends to live in Quebec, an extra step is required—applying for approval from the provincial immigration authorities after IRCC gives initial approval.

Basic requirements to apply for Family Sponsorship 

• The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be living in Canada (or plan to return if sponsored from abroad).
• Have enough financial resources to support the sponsored person.
• Sign an agreement to provide financial support for a specific period.
• Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability reasons).
• Not be convicted of certain criminal offenses.

It’s important to note that requirements can vary depending on who you are sponsoring—whether it’s a spouse, child, parent, or other eligible relative. Always check the specific guidelines for each sponsorship category to make sure all conditions are met before applying. This helps avoid delays or refusal of your application.

How Much Money Is Required to Sponsor a Family in Canada?

When sponsoring a family member to come to Canada, there are two main types of costs to consider: income requirements and government processing fees.

Income Requirements

Income requirements apply differently depending on the type of sponsorship. For example, if you are sponsoring a spouse or dependent child, there is usually no specific income threshold, but you must show that you can financially support them without relying on social assistance. In contrast, sponsoring parents or grandparents requires you to meet a minimum income level based on your family size and the number of people you are sponsoring.

Government fees

The second cost includes government fees such as application processing, biometrics, and the right of permanent residence fee. These fees vary depending on who you are sponsoring and their age or relationship to you. To avoid surprises or delays, it’s important to check the current costs and income requirements for the specific sponsorship program you are applying under, as they change from year to year.