Canada Family Sponsorship Program
Immigration to a foreign land often leads to the fulfillment of dreams, but it also brings loneliness, increased self-reliance, and emotional challenges for individuals who seek better career opportunities abroad. Recognising the value of staying connected with loved ones, Canada has always placed the emphasis on family reunification through its immigration programs.
One of Canada's immigration policies–Family Sponsorship program, enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their family members, be it parents, grandparents, spouse, or dependent children, to immigrate and later stay as permanent residents in the country. This pathway enables families to reunite and build a stable life together while contributing to Canada’s economic and social growth.
Well, if you are also a professional working in Canada and residing as a citizen or permanent resident, and now wish to bring your family, parents, or children to the country, then you can choose The Canada PR Family Sponsorship Program. With the family sponsorship program, you can reunite with your family and stay together in Canada. This in-depth guide will assist you in choosing what requirements do these pathways require, what essential documents one should accumulate, its process, and its respective fee structure.
What is the Canada Family Sponsorship Program?
The Family Sponsorship Program Canada is a dedicated pathway that bridges the gap between permanent residents or citizens of Canada and their longing families. It allows family members–spouse partner or common-law partner, parents or grandparents, and dependent children to immigrate to the country and later settle as Canada permanent residents.
Who is Eligible to Become a Sponsor?
Being an eligible sponsor means an individual who is willing and capable of sponsoring a prospective immigrant to the country. Through this, an eligible sponsor is a one who can:
❖ at least 18 years of age
❖ a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
❖ commit to supporting the people you’re sponsoring by signing an undertaking and sponsorship agreement
❖ meet all the other requirements under the Immigration, and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Who is Not Eligible to Become a Sponsor?
However, there are certain circumstances that hinders you from sponsoring your family members, be it parent, spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, and grandparents. Some of the reasons why one remains not eligible to become a sponsor is:
❖ if the person is in prison
❖ if they receive social assistance
❖ if they have declared bankruptcy
❖ if they failed to meet the financial requirements such as child support or alimony
❖ if they failed to meet previous sponsorship obligations
❖ if they owe any money to the Canadian government
❖ if they have been convicted to certain crimes such as violent crimes, sexual crimes, and other serious crimes
❖ if they are under the removal order
Benefits of Canada Family Sponsorship Program
Canada Family Sponsorship Program is a direct pathway that allows family members to join their professionals already residing in the country as Canada permanent residents or citizens. The program incorporates certain benefits to the applicants who wish to immigrate to Canada which are as follows:
Who Can be Sponsored Under the Canada Family Sponsorship Program?
Under the Canada Family Sponsorship Program, eligible sponsors (Canadian permanent residents or citizen) can sponsor the following family members which are:
1. Spouse, Partner or Common-law Partner
Under the Canada family sponsorship program, eligible sponsors can sponsor their spouse, partner or common-law partner to immigrate to the country and later settle as Canada permanent resident.
Who is being considered as a Spouse?
While considering Canada family sponsorship program, a person is considered a spouse only when:
❖ is legally married to you (sponsor)
❖ at least 18 years old
❖ can be of any gender
❖ is in genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status
❖ must not be inadmissible to Canada
Who is being considered as a Common-law partner?
And a persian is considered a common-law partner only when:
❖ is not only legally married to you (sponsor)
❖ is at 18 years old
❖ can be of any gender
❖ is in genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status
❖ has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months (which means lived together continuously 1 year in a conjugal relationship, without any longer periods)
❖ must not be inadmissible to Canada
Who is being considered as a Conjugal partner?
A Conjugal partner is an individual who:
❖ isn’t legally married to you (sponsor) or in a common-law relationship
❖ is at least 18 years old
❖ can be of any gender
❖ has been in an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship with you for at least 1 year (which means they have shared their lives in different ways including physically, emotionally, financially and socially)
❖ is in genuine relationship with you, not only for the purpose of getting permanent resident status
❖ lives outside Canada
❖ may not be able to live with you in their country of residence or marry because of certain reasons such as legal, immigration, social, cultural, or religious
❖ must not be inadmissible to Canada
Canada PR Fees
Application | Fees |
Sponsor your Spouse or Partner | CAN $ 1,920 |
Sponsorship Fee | CAN $90 |
Principal Applicant Processing Fee | CAN $570 |
Right of Permanent Residence Fee | CAN $600 |
Sponsor your Spouse or Partner (without the right of permanent residence fee)
| CAN $660 |
2. Dependent Children
Dependent children, also a part of the eligible family members, can immigrate to the country and secure Canada permanent residency. To be eligible under this Canada family sponsorship program, an individual (either Canada permanent resident or citizen) should be capable of sponsoring the applicant as the dependent child.
Who is being considered as a Dependent Children?
To be eligible as a dependent child one should be:
❖ they are your (sponsor) biological or adopted child (or your spouse or partner’s biological or adopted child)
❖ either under 22 years of age and they don’t have a spouse of common -law partnerOR
❖ They are 22 years old and they are unable to financially support themselves because of mental or physical conditions or because they have been dependent on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22
Application | Fees |
Sponsor a Dependent Child | CAN $180 |
Sponsorship fee Processing fee | CAN $ 90 CAN $90 |
3. Parents and Grandparents
Parents and grandparents are considered the backbone of a family and through the Canada family sponsorship program, they can immigrate to the country and reside with their loved ones.
Who is being considered to immigrate to Canada as parents and grandparents?
Eligible parents and grandparents can uplift the benefits of Canada family sponsorship program only when they are:
❖ Their own parents and grandparents, related by blood or adoption
❖ Dependent children children of your parents and grandparents (for example – your siblings, half- siblings) and their dependent children
❖ If the parents or grandparents are divorced, their current spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner
Application | Fees |
Sponsor your parents or grandparents | CAN $ 1,920 |
Sponsorship Fee | CAN $90 |
Principal Applicant Processing Fee | CAN $570 |
Right of Permanent Residence Fee | CAN $600 |
Sponsor your parents and grandparents (without the right of permanent residence fee)
| CAN $660 |
These eligible family members, partner, common-law partner, parents and grandparents, or dependent children can immigrate to Canada through the Canada family sponsorship program. According to the Canada Immigration Level Plan 2026-28, Canada aims to reunite longing families by setting a permanent residency target of 84,000 admissions under Canada family sponsorship program in 2026.
Placing a strong focus on welcoming more families together, Canada continues to strengthen its commitment to family reunification while supporting newcomers in building a stable and secure lifestyle in Canada.
