Family Sponsorship — Canada 2025
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members — spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents — to become permanent residents of Canada.
Program highlights
- 1Sponsor your spouse or partner: processing often under 12 months
- 2Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP): annual lottery with limited spots
- 3Super Visa: multi-entry visa allowing parents/grandparents to stay up to 5 years
- 4Dependent children under 22 are included in most applications
- 5Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements (LICO threshold)
Eligibility requirements
- Sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18+
- Sponsor must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold
- Sponsor cannot be in default of previous sponsorship undertakings
- Sponsor must not have received social assistance (except for disability)
- Sponsored person must be admissible to Canada
How to apply
- 1
Confirm your eligibility as a sponsor and your family member's admissibility
- 2
Gather identity documents, proof of relationship, and income proof
- 3
Submit the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together
- 4
Attend an interview if requested by IRCC
- 5
Receive approval and welcome your family member to Canada
Frequently asked questions
How long does spousal sponsorship take?+
IRCC targets 12 months for inland (outland applications may differ). Some cases are resolved in 8–10 months; complex cases involving inadmissibility can take longer.
Can I sponsor my parents if I'm a permanent resident (not citizen)?+
Yes. Both Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor parents and grandparents through PGP, subject to annual intake caps and income requirements.