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Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

s. 13 Sponsorship of foreign nationals

  • PART 1: Immigration to Canada
  • DIVISION 1: Requirements and Selection
  • Admissibility
  • Family Sponsorship

Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca

The law says

IRPA s. 13
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(1)A Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a group of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, a corporation incorporated under a law of Canada or of a province or an unincorporated organization or association under federal or provincial law — or any combination of them — may sponsor a foreign national, subject to the regulations.

(2) and (3)[Repealed, 2012, c. 17, s. 7]

Instructions of Minister

(4)An officer shall apply the regulations on sponsorship referred to in paragraph 14(2)(e) in accordance with any instructions that the Minister may make.

Sections this one cites

Amendment History (2)
  • 2001, c. 27, s. 13
  • 2012, c. 17, s. 7

Justice Laws is the authoritative version. If this copy and it ever differ, Justice Laws wins.

Sections numbered under s. 13

Each of these is its own section of the Act, numbered after section 13.

IRPA s. 13.1

Undertaking binding

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What that means

A sponsorship promise is binding. Once you sign an undertaking, a formal promise to support someone, you are held to it. A breakup, a falling out or a change of heart does not release you.

The law says

13.1 An undertaking given under this Act in respect of a foreign national — including a sponsorship undertaking — is binding on the person who gives it.

IRPA s. 13.2

Undertaking required

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What that means

For some applications, the regulations require you to get an undertaking before your file can move ahead. An undertaking is a formal promise from someone else. Officers apply those rules the way the Minister instructs.

The law says

(1)If required to do so by the regulations, a foreign national who makes an application for a visa or for permanent or temporary resident status must obtain the undertaking specified in the regulations.

Minister’s instructions

(2)An officer must apply the regulations made under paragraph 14(2)(e.1) in accordance with any instructions that the Minister may give.

Guides that explain this section

Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP): Complete 2026 Guide

Explained in depth in the textbooks

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Related sections

IRPA s. 7International agreementsIRPA s. 12Family reunificationIRPA s. 13.1Undertaking binding