Family reunification sits at the heart of Canada’s immigration policy. Each year, tens of thousands of citizens and permanent residents bring loved ones to settle permanently—yet many applications stumble on technicalities. This in-depth guide demystifies the rules, timelines, and paperwork so your family sponsorship succeeds on the first try.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
| Requirement | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Status | Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act |
| Residence | Must live in Canada, unless you are a citizen who will return once your family lands |
| Financial | No social-assistance income (except disability); must sign an undertaking to support the family member. |
| Conduct | No defaulted undertakings, certain criminal convictions, or nondischargeable bankruptcies |
Length of Undertaking
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Spouse/Common-law/Conjugal partner: 3 years
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Dependent child (<22): 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first
Who Can You Sponsor?
| Family Type | Core Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married, ≥18, relationship genuine | |
| Common-Law Partner | Lived together for ≥12 months continuously | |
| Conjugal Partner | Relationship > 1 year but unable to cohabit or marry (legal barriers, persecution, etc.) | |
| Dependent Child | < 22 years and unmarried/not common-law |
Tip: Children aged 22+ with physical or mental conditions that make them financially dependent since before 22 can still qualify.
Do You Need a Minimum Income?
Most spouse or child sponsorships have no Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). You do need to meet Low-Income-Cut-Off (LICO) figures if:
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Your spouse/partner and their dependent child also have a dependent child, or
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You’re sponsoring a dependent child who has a child of their own.
Sponsors must prove they can meet basic needs (housing, food, and healthcare not covered by public insurance).
Inland vs. Outland Streams
| Stream | Where the Applicant Lives | Open Work Permit? | Typical Use-Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Canada (Spouse or Partner in Canada Class) | An applicant is already inside Canada on a valid status | Eligible for Spousal OWP after AOR | Couples living together in Canada |
| Outside Canada (Family Class) | Applicant abroad | No OWP until PR is issued | Spouses/children overseas or living apart |
Processing-time averages (April 2025): 10 months inland, 13 months outland.
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
| Stage | What Happens | SwiftPass Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gather Docs | IDs, marriage certificates, photos, police checks, medical exams* | Order police certificates early—they can take months. |
| 2. Create PR Portal Account | Sponsor files both sponsorship & PR apps online. | Use the same email for the sponsor & principal applicant to avoid link errors. |
| 3. Pay Fees | CAD 1,080 (sponsor + spouse) or CAD 150 (child) + biometrics | Pay the right of the PR fee up-front to shave weeks off finalization. |
| 4. Submit & Get AOR | IRCC issues Acknowledgment of Receipt; eligibility review begins | After AOR, a spouse in Canada may apply for an Open Work Permit. |
| 5. Biometrics & Medical | Complete within 30 days of a request | Book clinic slots immediately—delay stalls file. |
| 6. Decision Made | Passport request (outland) or CoPR (in-Canada) issued | Double-check names & dates before booking travel. |
| 7. Landing & Confirmation | Applicant becomes PR; the undertaking period starts | Keep copies of the signed undertaking for your records. |
Medical exams are valid for 12 months—time yours strategically.
Fees & Hidden Costs
| Item | 2025 Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship fee | 75 |
| Principal PR fee | 515 |
| Right of the PR fee | 515 |
| Biometrics | 85 (per person) |
| Police certificates, translation, courier, photos | Variable |
Total for a spouse with no dependants ≈ CAD 1,190 (plus third-party costs).
Common Reasons for Refusal—and How to Avoid Them
- Insufficient Relationship Proof
Solution: Provide joint leases, utility bills, chat logs, wedding photos, and affidavits. - Previous Undertaking Default
Solution: Clear any social-assistance debt before applying. - Incomplete Online Forms
Solution: Use IRCC’s “Validate” feature; hire SwiftPass for a compliance review. - Medical / Criminal Inadmissibility
Solution: Seek legal advice on TRP or rehabilitation before filing. - Missing Signatures or Expired Docs
Solution: Triple-check expiry dates; upload PDF originals, not scans of photocopies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I sponsor while studying or on EI?
There is no specific income test for spouses/children, but IRCC may question capacity. Prepare a budget.
Q2. Do we need a wedding?
No. Common-law (12 months cohabitation) or conjugal (exceptional barriers) routes exist.
Q3. Can my spouse visit during processing?
Yes. Present the AOR for faster visitor visa processing.
Q4. How soon can my sponsored spouse divorce me?
If the relationship was genuine at submission, divorce won’t trigger loss of PR—but your 3-year financial undertaking remains.
How SwiftPass Global Immigration Adds Value
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Eligibility Audit: We cross-check every IRCC rule to flag risks before you pay fees.
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Document Blueprint: Custom evidence list so you hit 100% completeness on first upload.
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Portal Filing & Tracking: We handle digital forms, barcodes, and real-time status updates.
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Interview & ADR Coaching: We prepare you if IRCC requests an interview or additional documents.
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Post-Landing Services: SIN registration, provincial health cards, and child-benefit applications.
Key Takeaways
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Canada’s family sponsorship is one of the fastest-tracked immigration streams, but strict documentation rules apply.
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Know the undertaking length, collect robust relationship proof, and submit a complete digital application to avoid delays.
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Professional guidance saves time, money, and stress, especially if there are complexities like previous marriages, criminal records, or overseas dependents.