Family Sponsorship

Canada’s Family Class Immigration Program

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can now sponsor their eligible relatives to become permanent residents under the Family Class (FC) immigration program—a vital initiative designed to promote family reunification and strengthen community bonds across Canada.

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

Age and Status

Sponsors must be at least 18 years old and hold either Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status. Recent policy updates underscore the need for sponsors to have established themselves securely in Canada before undertaking family sponsorship.

Financial Capacity and Commitment

Sponsors are required to demonstrate the financial capability to support their sponsored relative(s) for a minimum of three years from the date the relative becomes a permanent resident. They must meet or exceed the prescribed minimum income threshold—an obligation that married or common-law couples may fulfill jointly. The required financial commitment may vary depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored party (e.g., spouse or dependent child vs. other relatives).

Eligible Relatives for Sponsorship

Under the Family Sponsorship program, the following relatives can be sponsored:

A spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner;
Parents or grandparents;
A dependent child;
An orphaned, unmarried sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild under 18 years of age;
An intended adopted child under 18 years of age;
If none of the above relatives are available, one other relative may be sponsored.

Processing Times

Sponsorship applications are typically processed within approximately 12 months. However, due to the evolving nature of application volumes and case complexities, processing times can sometimes extend beyond this period. Recent technological enhancements and workflow refinements are continually being introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to streamline processing.

Ineligibility Criteria

Certain conditions render an individual ineligible to sponsor a spouse, partner, or child, including:

Being younger than 18 years of age;
Being in a situation where the sponsor would effectively relinquish their Canadian citizenship when the sponsored relative attains permanent residency;
Not having Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status—or, in some cases, not being recognized as an Indigenous person under the Canadian Indian Act;
Engaging in work in Canada solely on a temporary visa or permit;
Having a pending permanent residence application (a confirmed permanent resident status is mandatory when submitting a sponsorship application);
Lacking sufficient financial resources to support the sponsored person;
Being obligated to repay immigration loans, performance bonds, alimony, or child support;
Being declared bankrupt;
Having a criminal record involving violent or sexual offenses against a family member (whether committed within Canada or abroad);
Being subject to legal orders mandating departure from Canada.

Updated Policy Context for 2025

In response to changing demographics and evolving economic priorities, the latest IRCC guidelines have refined these eligibility parameters. Applicants are encouraged to review current IRCC publications and consult official resources to ensure compliance with any annual adjustments—especially regarding income thresholds and processing targets.

This comprehensive framework reaffirms Canada’s ongoing commitment to family reunification while ensuring that sponsors are well-equipped to support their new relatives in their journey toward successful integration into Canadian society.