Family
Sponsorship
Program Overview
Family reunification is one of the top focuses of the Canadian immigration. In order to achieve this, Canada offers several immigration programs under Family Class.
Program Requirements
Family members that you can sponsor are
- Spouse
- Common-law partner
- Conjugal partner
- Dependent child
- Parents
- Grandparents
Who can be a sponsor
If you are:
- at least 18 years old
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident or
- person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
- have enough income to provide for basic needs of any dependent family members of the sponsored person
Who can’t become a sponsor
- You may not be eligible to sponsor if any of the following apply to you:
🚫 You failed to repay:
- An immigration loan
- A performance bond
- Family support payments (such as child or spousal support)
🚫 You failed to provide for the basic needs of a previously sponsored family member, and they received social assistance as a result.
🚫 You are currently:
- Under a removal order (asked to leave Canada).
- In prison, jail, reformatory, or a penitentiary.
- Receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- Going through an undischarged bankruptcy.
🚫 Additional restrictions:
- You became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago after being sponsored by a spouse or partner.
- You previously sponsored a spouse or partner, and 3 years have not yet passed since they became a permanent resident.
- You have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner, or child, and a decision on that application is still pending.
- You were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative, or you attempted or threatened to commit such an offence.
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