Overview
Family sponsorship lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident support a close family member in applying for permanent residence. There are separate routes for spouses and partners, dependent children, and parents and grandparents, and each has its own forms, relationship requirements and order of steps.
We help you decide which route fits your family, gather evidence of the relationship, and complete both the sponsor's and the applicant's parts of the application so that they agree with each other. Inconsistencies between the two are a common cause of delays, so we review them together.
Who this suits
- Canadians and permanent residents who want to sponsor a spouse or partner
- Parents sponsoring dependent children
- Families exploring routes for parents and grandparents
- Couples living in different countries who need to plan the process
What to prepare
- Identity documents for the sponsor and for the person being sponsored
- Proof of the sponsor's status in Canada
- Evidence of the relationship, such as marriage records and shared history
- Police and medical documents where the application asks for them
- Records that show the sponsor's income, where the route requires them
- Translations for any document that is not in English or French
How it works
Consultation
We listen to your family's situation and what you need to decide.
Route and roles
We explain the route and who does what in the application.
Evidence plan
You receive a checklist for both the sponsor and the applicant.
Application
We prepare both parts, review them with you and submit them together.
After you apply
We help you respond to requests and keep your family informed.
Common questions
Spouses and partners, dependent children, and parents and grandparents are the main groups, each under its own route. Other relatives are treated differently, so we check your family's situation against the current rules.
A sponsor signs an undertaking to support the sponsored person for a set period. The length and terms depend on the route, and we go through them with you before you sign.
Often yes, but the process differs depending on where each person lives. We map out the steps for your situation at the consultation.