In short: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Canadian Indian Act can generally sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent child, parents and grandparents, and in limited cases other relatives, so they can come to Canada as permanent residents. The program is rooted in IRPA s.12(1), which makes family reunification a core objective of Canadian immigration. One point that surprises many people: there is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner, or dependent child. The income test (Minimum Necessary Income) mainly applies to sponsoring parents and grandparents. This guide explains every category of family member you can sponsor, who qualifies as a sponsor, the financial undertaking you sign, and what the law says if the relationship later breaks down. It is educational information, not legal advice; an IRCC or visa officer decides every application, and the rules and fees change, so confirm current details on canada.ca before you rely on them.
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 yearsThree distinct relationships qualify. A spouse is someone you are legally married to. A common-law partner is someone you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months. A conjugal partner is someone you have been in a committed relationship with for at least one year but could not live with or marry because of an exceptional barrier, for example an immigration obstacle, marital status, or persecution. Same-sex relationships are included in all three. What this means for you: there is generally no minimum income requirement for this category unless the partner you sponsor also has a dependent child who has their own child. The undertaking lasts 3 years from the day the person becomes a permanent resident (Quebec sets its own length).
Dependent Children
Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25A dependent child is under 22 years of age and does not have a spouse or common-law partner of their own. Children 22 or older can still qualify if they have depended on a parent for financial support since before age 22 because of a physical or mental condition. This includes biological children, adopted children, and a partner's children (step-children). What this means for you: sponsoring a dependent child generally has no minimum income requirement, unless that child has a dependent child of their own. The undertaking lasts 10 years from the day the child becomes a permanent resident, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first (Quebec sets its own length).
Parents and Grandparents
Undertaking: 20 yearsSponsoring parents and grandparents runs through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which uses a limited, invitation-based intake. IRCC accepts new applications only when it opens an intake round and sends invitations to apply, so you usually cannot apply at any time. Unlike spousal sponsorship, you must meet a Minimum Necessary Income for the three tax years before you apply. While waiting, parents and grandparents may instead be eligible for a Super Visa, a long-term multiple-entry visa that allows extended stays per entry. The undertaking outside Quebec is 20 years (Quebec sets a shorter length); confirm current intake status and income figures on canada.ca.
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 25An adopted child is generally sponsored as a dependent child (typically under 22 and without a spouse or common-law partner); a separate route applies to a child adopted abroad while under 18. The adoption must be genuine, legally valid in the child's country, and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes, and international adoptions must satisfy IRPR s.117 requirements. Undertaking: 10 years or until age 25.
One Relative (Catch-All)
Undertaking: VariesA sponsor who has no living relative they could otherwise sponsor (no spouse, no common-law partner, no conjugal partner, no parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or child) and who also has no such relative who is already a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act may generally 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. You may wish to seek qualified legal guidance if you have a criminal record and are considering sponsoring 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. 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. According to IRCC, this responsibility continues for the full undertaking period even if your situation changes, for example if you separate or divorce, if the person becomes self-supporting, or if the person becomes a Canadian citizen. Once the person becomes a permanent resident, the undertaking generally cannot be cancelled or shortened.
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
- !A person who was themselves 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 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, and you may wish to seek qualified legal guidance if this situation arises.
Sponsored person becomes a victim of family violence
IRCC has specific support for people facing family violence from their sponsor. A person in this situation may be able to apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit that can come with an open work permit and interim health coverage, and may be able to access settlement services, so they are not trapped in an abusive relationship while their status is resolved. Details and current eligibility are on canada.ca. If you or someone you know is in danger, contact local police or a victim support service.
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.
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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 tax years, which is a key difference from spousal or partner sponsorship, where there is generally no minimum income requirement at all. 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. An adopted child can generally be sponsored as a dependent child (typically under 22 and without a spouse or partner), and a separate route covers a child adopted abroad while under 18. The adoption must be genuine, legally completed in the child's country, and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Hague Convention country adoptions follow additional requirements. Processing timelines vary widely by country; confirm current details on canada.ca.
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.
Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse or partner?+
Generally no. There is normally no minimum necessary income requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or a dependent child. The main exception is if the dependent child you sponsor has a dependent child of their own, or the partner you sponsor has a dependent child who has their own child. The income test (Minimum Necessary Income) mainly applies when you sponsor parents and grandparents. Because the rules can change, confirm your specific situation on canada.ca.
What is the difference between inland and outland sponsorship?+
The terms describe where the application is processed, not the type of relationship. In an inland (in-Canada) application, the sponsored person is already in Canada with temporary status and usually can apply for an open work permit while the application is processed. In an outland application, the application is processed through a visa office and the applicant can generally travel while it is being processed. Both are valid routes; which one fits depends on where the person is and their circumstances. Note that open work permit eligibility was narrowed by IRCC changes effective January 21, 2025, so confirm current eligibility on canada.ca.
Does my undertaking end if we divorce or my partner becomes a citizen?+
No. According to IRCC, the financial undertaking stays in force for its full length even if you separate or divorce, even if the sponsored person becomes financially self-supporting, and even if they become a Canadian citizen. Once the person becomes a permanent resident, the undertaking generally cannot be cancelled or shortened. This is one of the most important commitments to understand before you sign.
Can a sponsored spouse later sponsor a new spouse?+
Not right away. Under IRPR s.130(3), a person who immigrated by being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner generally cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner until they have been a permanent resident or Canadian citizen for at least five years. This is often called the 5-year sponsorship bar, and it is designed to discourage relationships entered into mainly to gain status. A relationship must be genuine and not entered primarily for immigration purposes (IRPR s.4); an officer decides whether it qualifies.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.