Family Sponsorship

What is Family Sponsorship?

The Canadian government allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are in a relationship with a foreign national to sponsor that person to join them and become a permanent resident of Canada. You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. Among family class immigrants, Canada seeks to welcome some 80,000 per year under its Spouses, Partners, and Children category.

You can be a sponsor if:

• You are 18 years of age or older;
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident living in Canada, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act;
• You live in Canada or are a Canadian citizen planning to return to the country;
• You are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability;
• You can provide for your basic needs, those of your spouse or partner and, if applicable, those of dependent children.

As a sponsor, you must:

• Be able to support your partner financially;
• Make sure they will not require social assistance from the government.