Family Sponsorship Canada
Reunite with Your Loved Ones
Through family sponsorship programs, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members to become permanent residents. Family sponsorship covers spouses and partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and in certain cases, other relatives.
Visa4you provides expert guidance on eligibility, sponsorship options, and preparing a strong application.
What Is the Family Sponsorship Canada Program?
Family sponsorship is part of Canada’s Family Class immigration. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence, for them to live with you in Canada.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
To sponsor a family member, you must:
- Be 18 or older.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- Live in Canada (citizens living abroad must show they’ll return when the sponsored person becomes a PR)
- Fulfill all program specific requirements
- Sign an undertaking
- Not be inadmissible to sponsor
Visa4you evaluates your eligibility and handles the preparation and submission of a strong sponsorship application.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
Spouse, Partner or Dependent Child
You can sponsor your:
- Spouse (legally married)
- Common-law partner
- Conjugal partner
- Dependent children (biological or adopted, under 22)
Parents and Grandparents
Through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) you can sponsor:
- Your biological or adoptive parents
- Your grandparents
PGP intakes are capped and invitation-based.
For those not eligible for sponsorship, the Super Visa offers extended visits - up to 5 years per stay, with multi-entry valid for 10 years - though it does not provide permanent residence.
Other Relatives
In certain cases, you may sponsor:
- Orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews or grandchildren under 18, if they are not married or in a common-law relationship
- One extended relative (such as a brother, sister, aunt or uncle) only if you have no other close family members you could sponsor
Financial Responsibility?
Family sponsorship in Canada requires you to undertake financial responsibility for your relative for a defined period once they obtain permanent residency.
Approximate
undertaking times are:
- Spouse/partner: 3 years
- Dependent child: 10 years or until age 25 (whichever comes first, with some nuances)
- Parent or grandparent: 20 years
These obligations remain in effect even if your relationship ends, you divorce, or your income decreases.
Family Sponsorship Process
1
Check Eligibility
Contact Visa4you to learn more about the requirements and whether you qualify for one of the sponsorship programs
2
Gather Documents & Online Application
Visa4you will create your online profile, will provide a tailored checklist, and will manage your application from start to finish.
3
Processing, Biometrics & Medical
After submission of the application,
your sponsor receives an acknowledgement of receipt as well as the assessment
of his eligibility as a sponsor. In the processs you’ll receive
instructions to provide your fingerprints and your
undergo a medical examination.
3
Decision Rendered & Landing as a Permanent Resident
Once approved, family members receive their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or PR visas and complete the landing process, either from within or outside Canada.
Why Choose Visa4you?
- Canada focus – We track updates, changes, and processing trends.
- Realistic sponsorship assessment – Visa4you will assess your eligibility and a successful application based on the program requirements.
- Multilingual service – Support in English, German and Dutch, online or in office.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can usually sponsor your spouse or partner, dependent children, and through specific programs, your parents and grandparents. In limited cases you may sponsor orphaned siblings, nieces/nephews or grandchildren, or one extended relative if you have no other close family.
Processing times vary significantly depending on the
category. Spousal sponsorships often take around one to two years, while
sponsorships for parents and grandparents can take much longer.
For spouses and dependent children, there’s usually no formal minimum income, but you must still show you can support them. For parents and grandparents, you must meet specific income thresholds over several tax years and sign a long undertaking.
In many cases, yes, especially if they are in Canada and meet the criteria for a spousal open work permit.
If you’re not selected you can participate in the following year and in the meantime explore the Super Visa Option for parents and grandparents.
Yes, but within the process, there is an extra step included as an application is to be made specifically to the province of Quebec as well.
Ready to Start a Family Sponsorship Application?
If you wish to sponsor a family member, let us know who you would like to sponsor and your status in Canada, and we will assess your available options.
Visa4you handles the entire application process for you, providing expert support to ensure your family sponsorship application is complete, accurate, and successful
