Canada Family Class Sponsorship: Who Can You Sponsor?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse or partner, a dependent child, parents and grandparents, and some orphaned relatives for permanent residence. In most cases there is no minimum income to sponsor a spouse or child. The sponsor signs an undertaking of 3 to 20 years, and the parents program has been paused since July 15, 2026. An officer decides every application.
$1,260
IRCC fee to sponsor a spouse or partner, including the right of permanent residence fee
$1,260
IRCC fee to sponsor a parent or grandparent, including the right of permanent residence fee
About 18 months
IRCC’s published time for a spouse outland, outside Quebec
About 28 months
IRCC’s published time for parents and grandparents, outside Quebec
Processing times are IRCC's published figures outside Quebec, verified November 11, 2026. The Processing Times page carries the live figures.
Who can you sponsor under the family class?
The following relationships are eligible under the family class (IRPR s.116 to 137).
| Relationship | Who qualifies | Undertaking |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | A spouse is legally married to you. A common-law partner has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months. A conjugal partner has been in an exclusive, interdependent relationship with you for at least one year but could not live with you or marry for legal, immigration, social, cultural, religious or other reasons. Same-sex relationships are included. | 3 years |
| Dependent child | Under 22 and without a spouse or common-law partner, or 22 or older and dependent on a parent since before 22 because of a physical or mental condition. A partner’s own dependent children are included in the partner’s application. | 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first; 3 years if 22 or older at landing (IRPR s.132(1)(b)(ii) and (iii)) |
| Parents and grandparents | Through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), a limited, invitation-based intake. IRCC paused it on July 15, 2026: no new interest to sponsor forms or invitations until further notice, and existing applications are still processed. | 20 years (Quebec sets a shorter length) |
| Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild | Under 18, not married or in a common-law relationship, both parents deceased, and related to you by blood or adoption. | 10 years (IRPR s.132(1)(b)(v)) |
| Adopted child | Generally sponsored as a dependent child. A separate route covers a child under 18 you intend to adopt in Canada (IRPR s.117(1)(g)). The adoption must be genuine, valid where it took place, and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. | 10 years or until age 25 |
| One relative of any age | Only for a sponsor with no living relative they could sponsor instead and no aunt, uncle or other such relative who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act. Related to you by blood or adoption. | Varies by relationship |
Quebec sets its own undertaking lengths. Sponsoring a spouse or partner has its own fees, processing times, and document checklist, set out in the spousal sponsorship guide for 2026.
Who can be a sponsor?
Sponsors must meet all of these requirements under IRPR s.130 and s.133:
- Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act, and be at least 18 years of age.
- Reside in Canada. A Canadian citizen living abroad who sponsors a spouse, partner or dependent child must show they will reside in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a PR (IRPR s.130(2)).
- Sign a sponsorship agreement and undertaking.
- Not be subject to a removal order, incarcerated in prison, or an undischarged bankrupt.
- Not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, meaning a previously sponsored person received social assistance and the repayment is outstanding.
- Not be convicted of a sexual offence, a violent indictable offence with a maximum of at least 10 years, or an offence causing bodily harm to a family member or relative, unless pardoned or five years have passed since the sentence ended. For a conviction abroad, the sponsor must also show rehabilitation (IRPR s.133(1)(e), (2) and (3)).
A sponsor with a criminal record is not automatically disqualified.
Do you need a minimum income to sponsor?
In most cases, IRCC says, there is no income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner, or dependent child. The income test (Minimum Necessary Income) mainly applies to sponsoring parents and grandparents.
| Sponsored person | Minimum income required? |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (no dependent children) | No minimum income required |
| Spouse or partner, with a dependent child who has no children of their own | No minimum income required (IRPR s.133(4)(b)) |
| Spouse or partner, with a dependent child who has their own dependent child | Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) applies based on family size |
| Dependent children with no children of their own | No minimum income required (IRPR s.133(4)(c)) |
| Parents and grandparents | MNI plus 30%, met for 3 consecutive tax years before the application |
MNI thresholds are updated annually. Check IRCC’s current low-income cut-off (LICO) table for your family size, and the fee calculator for an estimate of government fees by relationship type.
What does the undertaking commit you to?
When you sponsor a family member, you sign a legally binding undertaking to provide for their basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, dental care, eye care, and other basic requirements. If the sponsored person receives social assistance during the undertaking period, the government can recover those costs from you.
According to IRCC, this responsibility continues for the full undertaking period even if your situation changes: if you separate or divorce, if you have financial problems, or if the person becomes a Canadian citizen.
- The undertaking period begins on the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, not the date the application is submitted.
- A person who was sponsored as a spouse or partner generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until they have been a permanent resident or citizen for at least 5 years (the "5-year bar", IRPR s.130(3)).
- Quebec has its own undertaking, with its own terms and length.
The rule
Once the person becomes a permanent resident, the undertaking generally cannot be cancelled or shortened.
What happens if the sponsorship breaks down?
- Family violence
- IRCC has specific support for people facing family violence from their sponsor. A person in this situation who is out of status, and whose permanent residence depends on staying in the relationship, may be able to get a fee-exempt temporary resident permit, health coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program, and the right to apply for a fee-exempt work permit or study permit. If you or someone you know is in danger, contact local police or a victim support service.
- Social assistance
- The sponsor has to repay the amount. A sponsor who has not repaid it cannot sponsor anyone else until they do.
Which free tool checks your own case?
Free, with no account. What you enter in a tool stays in your browser.
What do people ask?
Who can you sponsor under Canada's family class?
You can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, a dependent child, a parent or grandparent, and an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild under 18. A sponsor with no close relative they could sponsor instead, and no close relative (such as an aunt or uncle) who is already a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, may sponsor one relative of any age, related by blood or adoption. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians can sponsor.
What are the family sponsorship requirements in Canada?
A sponsor must be at least 18, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, and must sign a sponsorship agreement and undertaking. A permanent resident must live in Canada. You cannot sponsor while under a removal order, in prison, an undischarged bankrupt, or in default of an earlier undertaking, and some violent offences bar you (IRPR s.133).
What is the family sponsorship income requirement?
It depends on who you sponsor. A spouse, partner or dependent child needs no minimum income in most cases. Under IRPR s.133(4), the exception is a sponsored child who has a dependent child of their own. Parents and grandparents need the Minimum Necessary Income plus 30% for each of the three tax years before you apply. The Super Visa guide explains the lower income test for a long visit.
Can I sponsor my parents and grandparents in 2026?
Not with a new application for now. IRCC paused the Parents and Grandparents Program on July 15, 2026: it is not accepting interest to sponsor forms or sending invitations until further notice, and it keeps processing existing files. The program needs the Minimum Necessary Income plus 30% and a 20-year undertaking outside Quebec. Parents and grandparents may be eligible for a Super Visa instead, which allows stays of up to 5 years at a time. The Super Visa guide explains it.
What are the family sponsorship fees in Canada?
IRCC charges $1,260 to sponsor a spouse or partner and $1,260 to sponsor a parent or grandparent. Both amounts include the right of permanent residence fee. Each dependent child adds $180, and biometrics cost $85 per person. The medical exam, police certificates and translations cost extra and are not set by IRCC. Fees change, so confirm them on canada.ca. The Fee Calculator adds up the total for your family.
How long does family sponsorship take in Canada?
IRCC's published times outside Quebec, verified November 11, 2026, are about 26 months for a spouse inland, 18 months for a spouse outland, 41 months for dependent children abroad and 28 months for parents and grandparents. Each figure is IRCC's estimate, and IRCC says it is not a maximum or a guarantee. Quebec files take longer. The Processing Times page carries the live figures.
Can I sponsor a family member if I live outside Canada?
Only if you are a Canadian citizen sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child. A citizen living abroad can sponsor them if they show they will live in Canada once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident; parents, grandparents and other relatives need a sponsor who lives in Canada. A permanent resident must be living in Canada to sponsor, so a permanent resident abroad generally cannot sponsor until they return.
Does my undertaking end if we divorce or my partner becomes a citizen?
No. According to IRCC, the undertaking stays in force for its full length even if you separate or divorce, even if you have financial problems, and even if they become a Canadian citizen. It cannot generally be cancelled or shortened once the person becomes a permanent resident. If they receive social assistance, the province can ask you to repay it.
Part of:Sponsoring family
- Can I Sponsor My Brother to Canada?
- Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP): Complete 2026 Guide
- Canada Super Visa vs Parent Sponsorship 2026: Which Option Is Available?
- Who Can Sponsor a Spouse to Canada? Eligibility
The textbook on this subject
Volume 2: Immigrating to Canada $79
The economic and family pathways to permanent residence, explained from the published criteria.
Follow on Facebook to hear when the library opens (opens in a new tab)Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.