Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain eligible family members to immigrate to Canada and become permanent residents. This program is designed to reunite families and allow Canadians to sponsor their spouses, partners, parents, grandparents, children, and other dependent relatives.

Who Can Sponsor?

To be a sponsor, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Live in Canada (if you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada once your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident)
• Be able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
• Not be in prison, bankrupt, or have criminal charges against you

Who Can Be Sponsored?

You can sponsor the following family members:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children (including adopted children)
• Parents and grandparents
• Other dependent relatives (such as brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren) under certain conditions

How to Apply

The sponsorship process involves two steps:

1. Submit a sponsorship application

As the sponsor, you will need to submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application package includes forms, guides, and instructions on how to complete the application. You will need to provide evidence to support your claim, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of income.

2. Sponsored family member applies for permanent residence

Once your sponsorship application has been approved, your sponsored family member will need to apply for permanent residence. They will need to submit their own application and provide evidence to support their eligibility.

Processing Times

The processing times for sponsorship applications can vary depending on the complexity of the case. However, you can expect the process to take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

Costs

There are a number of fees associated with the sponsorship process, including:

• Sponsorship application fee
• Permanent residence application fee
• Right of permanent residence fee
• Biometric fee

Additional Considerations

• Sponsorship agreement: You and your sponsored family member will need to sign a sponsorship agreement, which outlines your financial and other obligations to each other.
• Medical examinations: Sponsored family members will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure that they do not have any inadmissible medical conditions.
• Criminal record checks: Sponsored family members will need to undergo a criminal record check to ensure that they do not have any criminal convictions.