As a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, you may be able to sponsor close family members (spouse, children, parents, grandparents) to become permanent residents. Sponsoring a spouse or dependent child has no income requirement. Sponsoring parents and grandparents requires you to meet a minimum income threshold for 3 consecutive years. All sponsors sign a legal undertaking to financially support the sponsored person.
What Is Family Sponsorship?
The Family Class immigration stream allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible relatives to come to Canada as permanent residents. Sponsorship is a legal commitment — you are signing an agreement (called an undertaking) that you will financially support the sponsored person if they cannot support themselves.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Income Requirements by Family Type
Sponsoring a Spouse, Partner, or Dependent Child
There is no minimum income requirement. However, you must still demonstrate the ability to support yourself and your family. The main requirement is that you are not receiving social assistance (other than for a disability).
Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents
This requires meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold for 3 consecutive taxation years prior to the application. The threshold is 30% above the LICO.
You must provide your 3 most recent Notices of Assessment from the CRA to prove your income.
Tip: Start filing your taxes every year as soon as you arrive — your NOAs are required documents for sponsorship applications.
The Undertaking: What You Are Agreeing To
When you sponsor a family member, you sign a legal "undertaking" committing to:
- Support the person financially so they do not need to access most social assistance programs
- Repay any social assistance the government pays on their behalf
- Duration: 20 years for parents and grandparents; 3 years for a spouse; until age 25 for children
This is a binding legal commitment. If you sponsor someone and then separate from a sponsored spouse, or if a sponsored parent requires government support, you are still responsible.
The Application Process
Sponsorship applications are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Key steps:
- Submit a sponsorship application (sponsor application + PR application for the sponsored person)
- Pay application fees — Sponsorship fee: $75; PR processing fee: $490–$1,040+ depending on family member type
- Provide financial documentation (NOAs, employment letters, bank statements)
- Medical examinations for the sponsored person
- Security and criminal background checks
- Interview (if required by IRCC)
- PR approval and landing
Processing times vary significantly — from several months for a spousal sponsorship to 24+ months for parents and grandparents.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) vs Super Visa
The PGP is a permanent residency pathway with a wait list and lottery system. Spots are limited each year.
As an alternative, the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time on a single entry, renewable for 10 years total. It does not lead to permanent residency, but it is faster and allows extended family time.
Requirements for a Super Visa include the sponsor meeting income thresholds and the visitor purchasing Canadian medical insurance.
Example Scenarios
Frequently Asked Questions
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