Family sponsorship · Canada
Family sponsorship lawyers in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver
Bringing family to Canada is one of the most important applications you will make. Officers look closely at every relationship. We prepare your application to answer their questions before they ask them.
- Spouses, common-law and conjugal partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
Book a sponsorship consultation
Tell us who you want to sponsor and we'll be in touch to arrange a time.
Can you sponsor? A quick check
Answer four questions about the sponsor (you).
- Are you 18 or older?
- Are you a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act?
- Do you live in Canada (or, if a citizen abroad, plan to return when they arrive)?
- Are you free of the common barriers: social assistance (other than for disability), undischarged bankruptcy, unpaid support or immigration loans, certain criminal convictions, a removal order, or being sponsored as a spouse less than 5 years ago?
Answer the questions above
This is a quick guide only. IRCC applies more detailed rules, and we confirm eligibility at your consultation.
Spousal sponsorship
Applying from inside or outside Canada
Where your partner lives during processing decides which application you use, and it matters if the application is refused.
Inside Canada
- Your partner lives with you in Canada with valid status
- They may qualify for an open work permit while waiting
- If refused, there is no appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division
Outside Canada
- Your partner lives outside Canada, or won't stay during processing
- Required for conjugal partners and dependent children
- If refused, you can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division
Every sponsor signs an undertaking to support the person they sponsor. It continues even if the relationship ends. Outside Quebec, it lasts:
| Person sponsored | Undertaking |
|---|---|
| Spouse or partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child under 22 | 10 years, or until age 25 if sooner |
| Dependent child 22 or older | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
Source: IRCC Help Centre. The period starts when the person becomes a permanent resident.
A genuine relationship is not always enough. Officers refuse applications when they are not convinced, often because of:
- Doubts that the relationship is genuine
- Doubts that it was entered into mainly for immigration
- Thin evidence of time spent together, communication or shared life
- Inconsistencies between the sponsor's and partner's answers
- Missing documents or an incomplete application
We build the evidence that answers these concerns up front. If your application has already been refused, see refusals, appeals and judicial review.
Family sponsorship questions
Processing times change often and differ between inside-Canada and outside-Canada applications. IRCC publishes current estimates on its website. A complete, well-documented application avoids the most common delays.
If your spouse or partner is applying from inside Canada under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class, they may qualify for an open work permit while the application is processed.
If you applied from outside Canada, you can usually appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. If you applied from inside Canada, there is no appeal; options may include a new application or judicial review in the Federal Court, which has a deadline of 15 days. Get advice quickly.
In most cases, no. An income requirement applies if you sponsor a dependent child who has their own dependent children, or a partner whose child has dependent children. Sponsoring parents and grandparents does have income requirements.
Not if you became a permanent resident through spousal sponsorship less than 5 years ago. There are also limits if you sponsored a previous partner less than 3 years ago.
Through the Parents and Grandparents Program, which invites a limited number of sponsors to apply and has income requirements and a 20-year undertaking. The Super Visa is an alternative that allows parents and grandparents to visit for long periods.
Family sponsorship help in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver
Meet us at any of our offices, or by phone or video from anywhere. Also see permanent residence and visit, study and work permits.
Ready to bring your family to Canada?
Book a consultation and we'll review your situation and the strongest way to apply.