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Spousal sponsorship and sponsoring parents to Canada

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

Citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, partner, dependent child, and in some cases parents and grandparents.

Who handles it

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Handles it everywhere in Canada.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • To sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent child, you must be at least 18 and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • You must live in Canada. A citizen living abroad must show they plan to live in Canada when the family member becomes a permanent resident, but a permanent resident living abroad cannot sponsor.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • In most cases there is no income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child. It only applies when a sponsored child, or a partner's child, has children of their own.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • You may not be able to sponsor a partner if you were sponsored as a spouse and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago. Other barriers include being in prison, owing support payments or receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • You sign an undertaking to support the people you sponsor. Outside Quebec it lasts 3 years for a spouse or partner, and it cannot be cancelled once they become permanent residents.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Steps

  1. There are two applications: your sponsorship application and your family member's permanent residence application. The person being sponsored submits both together online through the PR Portal.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

What you need

  • You must declare all family members in the application, even those not coming to Canada. A family member you do not declare cannot be sponsored later.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Good to know

  • The parents and grandparents program is paused, with no new interest to sponsor forms or invitations until further notice. Parents and grandparents may be able to visit on a super visa instead.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Questions people ask

Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?

Usually not. An income requirement only applies if the child you sponsor, or your partner's child, has a dependent child of their own.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Can I sponsor my parents to come to Canada?

Not right now. IRCC has paused the parents and grandparents program and is only processing existing applications. A super visa lets parents and grandparents stay for 5 years at a time.

Source: canada.cachecked #

How long am I financially responsible for a sponsored spouse?

Outside Quebec, for 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident. You stay responsible even if your relationship changes or you lose your job.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Can a permanent resident living abroad sponsor a spouse?

No. Permanent residents must live in Canada to sponsor. Canadian citizens abroad can sponsor if they show they plan to live in Canada when their family member becomes a permanent resident.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Spousal sponsorship and sponsoring parents to Canada", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sponsor-family