Family Class Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and parents/grandparents to become permanent residents.

Spousal and Common-Law Sponsorship

You can sponsor your partner if they live inside Canada (Inland) or outside Canada (Outland). Inland applicants can often apply for an Open Work Permit while their PR application is processing.

• Processing Time: Typically 10-12 months.
• Financial Requirement: Unlike other streams, there is no strict Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) to sponsor a spouse, but you must sign an undertaking promising to provide basic needs for 3 years.

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

The PGP operates on a lottery system due to massive demand. Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for three consecutive years prior to applying. An alternative is the Super Visa, which allows parents/grandparents to visit for up to 5 years at a time without needing PR.

Next Steps

Review the tax implications of sponsoring family members, and understand how healthcare coverage applies to newly arrived sponsored relatives.