Family Sponsorship
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians who are at least 18 years old can sponsor some of their family members to become permanent residents of Canada.
| Who to sponsor | Requirements of the sponsor |
| Spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children |
No income requirement needed unless you are sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own, or you are sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more children of their own. You must not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability and can provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor. Must be living in Canada except for Canadian citizens. Canadian citizens living outside Canada must show that they plan to live in Canada when the persons they want to sponsor become permanent residents. |
| Parents or grandparents | Must meet income requirements for each of the 3 tax years before the date you apply. Income requirement is the minimum necessary income plus 30% with the exception of the 2020 tax due to COVID-19. 2020 tax year income requirement is reduced to the minimum necessary income. |
| Other relatives |
You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild only if they meet all of these conditions: they are related to you by blood or adoption, both their parents passed away, they are under 18 years of age, and they are single. You may sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age, if you don’t have a living relative you could sponsor instead, and you don’t have any relative who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. |