Family Sponsorship

A Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor certain relative’s immigration to Canada. Family reunification is one of the three pillars of CIC’s immigration policy. It enables relatives of Canadian citizens to come to Canada and establish a new life. The Canadian government has a long history of promoting family reunions, allowing both recent immigrants and long-established Canadians to reconnect with their family members.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor the following:

• Spouse, common-law spouse, or conjugal partner
• Dependent Children (including adopted children)

Commonly, a sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income on three consecutive Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Additional documentation may include the following:

• A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada.
• Documents establishing that the sponsoring child or grandchild meets the LICO standard.
• Proof of parental relationship with the child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate naming them as a parent.
• Proof of one-year emergency medical insurance coverage with a Canadian insurance company.

Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children may also be able to get faster processing on a:

• Visitor Visa
• Work Permit
• Study Permit

You must complete and submit their applications simultaneously as your own. If you don’t, IRCC can not process their applications faster. When you apply online, indicate that your family members come with you to Canada. This lets you complete their applications with yours.