--- title: "Spousal sponsorship and sponsoring parents to Canada" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sponsor-family" description: "Sponsor a family member to immigrate in Canada: handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Official link checked 12 October 2026." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Spousal sponsorship and sponsoring parents to Canada Federal service ยท Immigration, citizenship and travel Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## 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](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/immigration-refugees-and-citizenship-canada). Handles it everywhere in Canada. ## Official links - [Family sponsorship](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html), checked 12 October 2026 ## 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. - 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/undertaking.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/apply.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/undertaking.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### 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.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/eligibility.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## More - [Apply for Canadian citizenship](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/citizenship) - [Renew or replace a permanent resident card](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/pr-card) - [Immigrate to Canada (permanent residence)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/immigrate) - [Visit Canada: visitor visa or eTA](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/visit-canada) - [Get a study permit](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/study-permit) - [Get a work permit](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/work-permit) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Spousal sponsorship and sponsoring parents to Canada", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sponsor-family