Eligibility Quiz
As the sponsor, are you 18 years of age or older?
Application Process
The application for family sponsorship is a two-part process: you apply to become a sponsor, and your family member applies for Permanent Residence (PR). Since September 2022, all applications must be submitted digitally through the Permanent Residence Online Application Portal.
Step 1: Determine Your Application Class
Before starting, you must choose between two routes based on where the person being sponsored lives:
- Family Class (Outland): Use this if the person you are sponsoring lives outside Canada. You can also use this if they live in Canada but need to travel abroad during the process. This route provides a right of appeal if the application is refused.
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (Inland): Use this if you live together in Canada. This allows the applicant to apply for an Open Work Permit (a permit allowing them to work for any employer) while waiting for PR, but it generally does not have a right of appeal.
Step 2: Prepare Your Document Checklist
Download the specific checklist for your situation: IMM 5533 for spouses/partners or IMM 5287 for dependent children. This is your roadmap; you must upload a copy of this checklist to your portal.
Step 3: Create a Portal Account
The Principal Applicant (the person being sponsored) must create an account in the PR Online Portal. Even though the sponsor helps, the portal account should be in the applicant's name.
Step 4: Complete Digital and PDF Forms
You will encounter two types of forms:
- Digital Forms: You fill these out directly in the portal website. These include IMM 0008 (Generic Application), IMM 5669 (Background/Declaration), IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information), and IMM 5562 (Travel History).
- PDF Forms: You must download, complete, and upload IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor) and IMM 5532 (Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation). Both the sponsor and applicant must sign these.
Step 5: Gather Supporting Evidence
Upload digital copies of:
- Identity Documents: Passports, birth certificates, and national IDs.
- Relationship Proof: Marriage certificates or proof of common-law status (such as joint leases or utility bills).
- Police Certificates: Required for any country (except Canada) where the applicant has lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18.
- Photos: Digital versions of professional photos meeting strict 50mm x 70mm specifications.
Step 6: Pay and Submit
Pay your fees online and upload the official receipt to the portal. Once submitted, your "lock-in" date is set—this is critical for dependent children, as it freezes their age for eligibility purposes.
Step 7: Biometrics and Medicals
After IRCC reviews your application for completeness, they will send a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). The applicant must visit a designated collection point to provide fingerprints and a photo. You will also receive instructions for a medical exam; do not complete the medical until IRCC asks you to.
Step 8: Quebec Residents (If Applicable)
If the sponsor lives in Quebec, you must wait for a letter from IRCC inviting you to apply to the Quebec provincial government (MIFI). You will then submit a separate "undertaking" application to Quebec. Note that special rules for Quebec undertakings are in effect until June 25, 2026.
Fees
All fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner Sponsorship (Sponsorship, Processing, and PR Fee) | $1,205 |
| Dependent Child Sponsorship (per child) | $170 |
| Biometrics (Individual) | $85 |
| Biometrics (Family of 2 or more) | $170 |
| Quebec MIFI Fee (Sponsors in Quebec only) | $319+ |
Total Estimate: Approximately $1,290 for a single spouse or $170 for a single child. Does not include: Costs for medical exams, police certificates, professional translations, or postage for Quebec-specific paper filings.
Processing Time
| Stage | Expected Duration |
|---|---|
| Spousal Application (Standard) | 12 months |
| Open Work Permit (Inland Applicants) | 4 months |
| Biometrics Appointment | 30 days from receiving the instruction letter |
Document Validity:
- Police Certificates: Generally valid for 1 year from the date of issue for the purpose of the application.
- Sponsorship Undertaking: Once PR is granted, the sponsor is legally responsible for the spouse for 3 years, or for a child for 10 years (or until the child turns 25).