Eligibility Quiz
As the sponsor, are you 18 years of age or older?
Overview
The Family Sponsorship pathway is the primary method for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their close family members to Canada as permanent residents. This program is designed to ensure families can live together while establishing their lives in Canada. It specifically covers spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children.
Unlike many other immigration streams, this pathway does not use a points-based system. Instead, it focuses on the genuineness of the relationship and the sponsor's ability to support the newcomer. It is important to distinguish between Inland sponsorship (where the couple lives together in Canada) and Outland sponsorship (where the applicant is abroad or travels frequently), as each has different implications for work permits and appeal rights.
Important Limitations
The "Lock-in" Age
A child’s age is "locked in" on the date the complete application is submitted. If a child is 21 when you apply but turns 22 during processing, they remain eligible as a dependent.
Declaring All Family Members
You must declare all your children on your application, even if they are not coming to Canada (for example, children living with an ex-spouse). If a child is not declared and examined during your application process, you will be permanently barred from sponsoring them in the future.
Quebec Residents
If you live in Quebec, you must meet additional provincial requirements. After IRCC approves you as a sponsor, you must apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and sign a separate provincial undertaking. Note that Quebec may have specific caps or temporary rules regarding the number of applications processed.
Rights as a Permanent Resident
Once the sponsored person’s application is approved and they land in Canada, they receive Permanent Resident (PR) status, which grants the following:
- Right to Work and Study: You may work for any employer and study at any educational institution in Canada without a separate permit.
- Social Benefits: Access to most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including universal healthcare coverage (subject to provincial waiting periods).
- Travel Rights: You can travel in and out of Canada using your PR card, though you must meet residency obligations (living in Canada for at least two years out of every five) to maintain your status.
- Path to Citizenship: You can apply for Canadian Citizenship once you have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the five years preceding your application.
- Protection: You are protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, though you can lose PR status if you commit a serious crime.