Family Class Sponsorship
Bring your loved ones to Canada and reunite your family
Overview
Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada who are 18 years of age or older may sponsor close relatives or family members to become permanent residents of Canada.
Sponsors must commit to supporting the family members for a period of 3 to 10 years to help them settle in Canada.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
- Spouses, common-law or conjugal partners (16 years or older)
- Parents and grandparents
- Dependent children, including adopted children
- Children under 18 whom you intend to adopt
- Orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren under 18, unmarried and not in a common-law relationship
- Any other relative, if you have no other eligible relatives in Canada or abroad
What Is a Dependent Child?
A dependent child is defined as someone who meets any of the following criteria:
- Under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
- Became a full-time student before 22 and has been financially dependent on a parent since then
- Became a spouse or partner before 22 but still financially dependent on a parent
- Financially dependent on a parent due to a disability before the age of 22
Sponsorship Requirements
To sponsor a relative or family member, you may need to:
- Meet minimum income requirements
- Not have previously sponsored someone who received social assistance
- Understand and accept the serious obligations involved
- Sign a legal contract with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Undertaking)
- Sign a Sponsorship Agreement with your relative outlining mutual commitments