Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship in Canada
Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act may be able to sponsor certain family members for permanent residence. Each family category has its own eligibility, financial and application rules.
Spouse, Partner & Dependent Children
Eligible sponsors can apply to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child.
- Dependent children are generally under 22 and not married/common-law.
- Some children age 22 or older can qualify if they meet IRCC's dependency requirements related to a physical or mental condition.
Parents & Grandparents Program
IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents Program intake on July 15, 2026.
No new interest-to-sponsor forms or invitations are being accepted until further notice. Existing applications continue to be processed.
Adopted Children
Eligible parents may sponsor a child adopted from another country through the immigration process, subject to both immigration and adoption requirements.
Other Relatives
Only very specific relatives can be sponsored. This is not a general pathway for adult siblings, cousins, aunts or uncles.
An orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild may qualify only if they are related by blood/adoption, under 18, both parents have died, and they are single. In a separate very limited situation, a sponsor may be able to sponsor one relative of any age if they have no living close relative they could sponsor instead and no other qualifying relative in Canada who is a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
How Long Is the Sponsor Financially Responsible?
*For a dependent child under 22, the undertaking is generally 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first. Quebec has different undertaking rules.
