Canada's family class sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their closest family members to Canada as permanent residents. The program is rooted in IRPA s.12(1), which prioritizes family reunification as a core objective of Canadian immigration. This guide covers every category of sponsorable family members, who qualifies as a sponsor, the financial and undertaking obligations, and what happens legally if the sponsorship relationship breaks down.
Who Can You Sponsor?
The following family relationships are eligible under Canada's family class (IRPR s.116–141):
Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Conjugal Partner
Undertaking: 3 yearsLegally married spouse, or common-law partner who has cohabited for at least 12 continuous months, or conjugal partner (12+ month relationship, cannot cohabit due to exceptional circumstances). Same-sex partnerships included. Undertaking: 3 years from the date the person becomes a PR.
Dependent Children
Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25Children under 22 years of age who are not a spouse or common-law partner, or children 22+ who depend on a parent due to physical or mental condition. Includes biological children, adopted children, and step-children. Undertaking: 10 years from the date the child becomes a PR, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
Parents and Grandparents
Undertaking: 20 yearsSubject to annual invitation-only intake (Parents and Grandparents Program — PGP). Applications only accepted when IRCC opens a new intake round. Sponsors must meet a minimum necessary income (MNI) — significantly higher than other family class categories. Undertaking: 20 years.
Orphaned Relatives (Brothers, Sisters, Nephews, Nieces, Grandchildren)
Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25An orphaned relative who is under 18 years of age, not married or in a common-law relationship, and whose both parents are deceased. Must be related to the sponsor by blood or adoption. Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first.
Adopted Children
Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25Must be under 18 years old, legally adopted in the child's country of origin in accordance with the laws of that country, and the adoption must not have been entered into primarily for immigration purposes. International adoptions must satisfy IRPR s.117(3) requirements. Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25.
One Relative (Catch-All)
Undertaking: VariesA sponsor who has no living relative (no spouse, no common-law partner, no conjugal partner, no parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or child) may sponsor one relative of any age, whether or not related by blood. Undertaking varies by relationship.
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
Not every Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a family member. Sponsors must meet all of the following requirements under IRPR s.130:
Criminal inadmissibility of the sponsor: A sponsor with a criminal record is not automatically disqualified. However, certain convictions (particularly violent offences or offences against family members) can bar sponsorship under IRPR s.133. Consult an immigration lawyer if you have a criminal record and want to sponsor a family member.
Income Requirements by Category
| Sponsored Person | Minimum Income Required? |
|---|---|
| Spouse / common-law / conjugal partner (no dependent children) | No minimum income required |
| Spouse / partner + dependent children | Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) applies based on family size |
| Dependent children only | No minimum income required |
| Parents and grandparents | MNI required — must meet for 3 consecutive tax years before application |
MNI thresholds are updated annually. Check IRCC's current low-income cut-off (LICO) table for your family size. Use our fee calculator for an estimate of government fees by relationship type.
Undertaking Obligations — What You're Committing To
When you sponsor a family member, you sign a legally binding undertaking that obligates you to provide for their basic needs — including food, clothing, shelter, dental care, eye care, and other basic requirements. If your sponsored family member receives social assistance (welfare) during the undertaking period, the government can recover those costs from you.
Key undertaking facts:
- ! The undertaking period begins on the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident — not the date the application is submitted
- ! The undertaking is enforceable regardless of whether the relationship continues — divorce, separation, or estrangement does not end the undertaking
- ! Default on an undertaking (outstanding repayment to a province) can bar you from sponsoring future family members
- ✓ Quebec has a separate co-signing undertaking regime with different terms
What Happens If the Sponsorship Breaks Down?
Family relationships can break down — marriage can end in divorce, relationships can become abusive, or circumstances can change dramatically. Here is what the law says:
Separation or divorce during the undertaking period
The undertaking remains in force for the full period. The sponsor continues to be legally obligated to support the sponsored person even after separation. This is a known hardship — seek legal advice from a family lawyer if this situation arises.
Sponsored person becomes a victim of abuse
Sponsored persons who experience abuse may access social assistance without the sponsor's consent through specific provincial programs. The undertaking obligation is paused in abuse situations in some provinces. IRCC has a public policy protecting abused sponsored persons.
Sponsored person claims social assistance during undertaking
The province may seek reimbursement from the sponsor. Sponsors who default on repayment are barred from future sponsorships.
Sponsored person's PR is revoked
If the sponsored person loses PR status (e.g., misrepresentation is discovered), the undertaking generally ends. However, this does not automatically refund any costs already incurred.
Generate your document checklist
Our free tool generates a personalized checklist for your specific family sponsorship relationship.
Get My ChecklistFrequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my parents and grandparents?+
Yes, but the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has limited annual intake and uses an invitation-based system. Sponsors must meet a Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold for 3 consecutive years. Income requirements are significantly higher than for spousal sponsorship. Alternatively, parents and grandparents may be eligible for a 10-year Super Visa (multi-entry, 5-year stay per entry) while waiting for PGP.
Can I sponsor my sibling?+
Generally no — siblings are not in the family class unless you qualify as a sponsor with no other eligible relatives (the "one relative" catch-all), or your sibling is an orphaned minor. Siblings with other living family relationships (parents, spouses, children) cannot be sponsored under the family class in most cases.
Can I sponsor my adopted child born abroad?+
Yes. International adoptions are eligible, but must meet strict requirements: the child must be under 18, the adoption must be legally completed in the child's country, and the adoption cannot have been entered into primarily for immigration purposes. HAGUE Convention country adoptions follow additional requirements. Processing can take 12–24+ months.
What if I am a PR living outside Canada?+
As a permanent resident, you must be living in Canada to sponsor a family member — unlike Canadian citizens who can sponsor from abroad if they intend to return when their family member becomes a PR. If you are a PR living outside Canada, you generally cannot sponsor at this time.
Can I sponsor someone who is in Canada illegally?+
Yes, in some circumstances. IRPA allows inland sponsorship even for persons who are out of status in Canada — however, this is a complex situation that should be handled with legal advice. IRCC has specific provisions for inland applications from persons in various immigration statuses.
Important: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.