Sponsorship Rights
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Canadian federal statutes and official sources.
What is this right?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor family members to come to Canada. The most common type is spousal sponsorship, which takes roughly 12 to 15 months for outland applications (longer for inland).
When you sponsor someone, you sign a legally binding undertaking. For a spouse, this means you are financially responsible for them for 3 years — even if the relationship ends.
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) has limited intake and opens in rounds. As an alternative, parents and grandparents can apply for a Super Visa, which allows visits of up to 5 years at a time.
Quebec has its own separate sponsorship requirements in addition to federal rules.
When does it apply?
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring a family member to Canada.
- For spousal sponsorship, there is no minimum income requirement (since 2020).
- For the Parent and Grandparent Program, you must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold.
- You must be at least 18 years old to sponsor.
What should you do?
- Determine your eligibility — you must be 18+, a citizen or PR, and meet income requirements if applicable.
- Gather comprehensive documentation: proof of relationship, financial records, identity documents, and photos or communications that show a genuine relationship.
- Submit a complete application — incomplete applications cause significant delays.
- Maintain contact with IRCC and respond promptly to requests for additional documents.
- Understand your financial obligations — the undertaking is a legal contract.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sponsor if you can't support the person financially — the undertaking is legally binding and survives divorce or separation.
- Don't submit incomplete applications — they will be returned or delayed.
- Don't enter a marriage of convenience — this is fraud, and it can result in criminal penalties and a 5-year ban from sponsoring.
- Don't ignore your undertaking obligations — defaulting can affect your own government benefits.
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