LMIA FinderFamily Sponsorship
Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, or grandparents to become Canadian permanent residents.
Who Can Sponsor?
To sponsor a family member, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements.
Canadian Citizen or PR
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a family member.
18 Years or Older
You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of sponsorship application.
Financial Ability
You must be able to financially support the sponsored person and meet income requirements (for PGP).
No Criminal or Legal Barriers
You cannot be in prison, bankrupt, under a removal order, or charged with a serious offence.
5-Year Sponsorship Cooldown
If you were sponsored as a spouse yourself, you cannot sponsor a new spouse for 5 years after becoming a PR.
Sign an Undertaking
You must sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored person for 3 to 20 years depending on the relationship.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
There are four main categories of family members you can sponsor for Canadian permanent residence.
Spouse / Common-Law / Conjugal Partner
- Must prove genuine relationship (not marriage of convenience)
- Can apply from inside Canada (inland) or outside (outland)
- Common-law requires 12 months of continuous cohabitation
- Conjugal requires 1+ year relationship and inability to live together (e.g., immigration barriers)
Dependent Children
- Under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship
- Adopted children are also eligible (must meet adoption requirements)
- Includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren
- Age is locked at time of application submission
Parents & Grandparents
- Through the PGP (Parents and Grandparents Program) which opens annually with limited spots
- Sponsors must meet minimum income threshold (LICO+30%) for 3 consecutive tax years
- Alternative: Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years without PR status
- PGP typically fills quickly — apply as soon as intake opens
Other Relatives
- Only eligible under the "last remaining family member" rule
- You must have no other living relatives in Canada or abroad who could be sponsored
- Orphaned relatives under 18 (brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandchild) may qualify
- This category is rarely used and has strict criteria
Spousal Sponsorship Details
The most common family sponsorship pathway, with a processing time of approximately 12 months.
Key Information
Inland vs. Outland
Inland (Inside Canada)
Sponsored person stays in Canada during processing. Eligible for open work permit. Cannot leave and re-enter easily.
Outland (Outside Canada)
Sponsored person remains outside Canada. Can continue traveling. Must attend visa office interview if required.
Required Documents
- Marriage certificate or common-law statutory declaration
- Photos together spanning the relationship
- Communication logs (messages, call history, emails)
- Financial co-mingling (joint accounts, shared bills, co-signed leases)
- Travel records showing visits and time spent together
- Letters from friends and family attesting to the relationship
Genuine relationship requirement: IRCC officers assess whether the relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Interviews may be conducted. Provide thorough and consistent documentation.
Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)
A limited annual intake program with high demand and strict income requirements.
PGP Details
Alternative: Super Visa
If you're unable to sponsor through PGP, the Super Visa is an excellent alternative for parents and grandparents.
- 10-year multiple-entry visa
- Stays of up to 5 years per visit
- Requires private medical insurance
- No PR status, but allows immediate travel to Canada
Income Requirements (LICO+30%)
Sponsors under the PGP must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO+30%) for all 3 most recent tax years. Below are the thresholds for the 2025 intake.
| Family Size | 2024 Tax Year | 2023 Tax Year | 2022 Tax Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | $47,549 | $44,530 | $43,082 |
| 3 persons | $58,456 | $54,743 | $52,965 |
| 4 persons | $70,972 | $66,466 | $64,306 |
| 5 persons | $80,496 | $75,384 | $72,935 |
| 6 persons | $90,784 | $85,020 | $82,259 |
| 7 persons | $101,075 | $94,658 | $91,582 |
| Each add'l | $10,291 | $9,636 | $9,324 |
How to Apply
Follow these steps to complete your family sponsorship application.
Confirm Eligibility
Verify both the sponsor and the sponsored person meet all eligibility requirements.
Gather Documents
Collect identity documents, relationship proof, financial records, and police certificates.
Submit Application
Submit the complete sponsorship application package online through the IRCC portal or by paper.
Pay Fees
Pay the sponsor processing fee, PR fee, and biometrics fee. Total varies by category.
Biometrics Appointment
The sponsored person attends a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints and a photo.
Medical Exam
Complete an immigration medical exam with a designated panel physician.
Background Check
IRCC conducts security and criminal background checks on all applicants.
Decision
Receive a decision on your application. If approved, the sponsored person receives their PR status.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls that frequently lead to application delays or refusals.
Insufficient Relationship Proof
Not providing enough evidence of a genuine relationship — include photos, chat logs, travel records, and joint finances.
Missing Income Documentation (PGP)
Failing to include 3 years of Notice of Assessments or T4s to prove you meet the LICO+30% income threshold.
Not Declaring Previous Marriages
Omitting prior marriages, divorces, or annulments. IRCC checks all records — undisclosed history can lead to refusal.
Submitting Incomplete Forms
Missing signatures, blank fields, or outdated forms are among the top reasons applications are returned.
Not Updating Address Changes
Failing to notify IRCC of address changes can result in missed correspondence and processing delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Canadian family sponsorship.
Explore More Immigration Pathways
Family sponsorship is just one of many ways to immigrate to Canada. Discover other programs that may be right for you.