Canada family sponsorship

Canada’s family sponsorship  is now open and it’s your chance to reunite with your loved ones in one of the world’s most welcoming countries. Whether you’re looking to bring your spouse, child, or partner to Canada, this guide explains the entire process, step-by-step. With Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now accepting new applications, it’s time to act fast and ensure your family stays together.

What Is Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program?

The Family Sponsorship Program is one of the core components of Canada’s immigration system. Managed by IRCC, it allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their immediate family members for permanent residence. The goal is simple: family reunification.

Under this program, family members who receive permanent residence can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. They also gain access to public healthcare, free education for children, and the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Family sponsorship not only offers a legal path for family members to settle in Canada but also supports stronger communities, enhances cultural integration, and helps immigrants build a future with their families by their side.

Who Can You Sponsor in 2025?

As a sponsor, you can bring several types of relatives to Canada, including:

Spouse: Legally married partner.

Common-law Partner: Living together for at least 12 consecutive months in a marriage-like relationship.

Conjugal Partner: Relationship for at least one year without cohabitation due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control (such as immigration barriers or religious restrictions).

Dependent Children: Under age 22 and unmarried (or older if financially dependent due to mental or physical disability).

Parents and Grandparents: If the intake is open in 2025 under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

Other Relatives: Orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren under the age of 18, unmarried, and whose parents are deceased.

It’s important to note that not all relatives qualify for sponsorship. Distant relatives such as cousins, uncles, or aunts typically do not qualify unless under exceptional humanitarian circumstances.

Note: Spousal and dependent child sponsorships are generally given priority and have faster processing times compared to other categories like parent sponsorship.

Eligibility Criteria for Sponsors

To sponsor a family member, you must:

Be at least 18 years old.

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.

Reside in Canada (or intend to return, if applying from abroad as a citizen).

Not be in prison, bankrupt, or convicted of a serious criminal offense.

Not have defaulted on a previous sponsorship agreement or immigration loan.

Be able to financially support your sponsored relative for a set number of years.

In addition, you must sign an undertaking to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person, such as food, clothing, shelter, and health care not covered by public health insurance.

Financial requirements vary depending on who you are sponsoring.

Spouse/Partner and Dependent Children: No minimum income requirement.

Parents and Grandparents: Must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three taxation years.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sponsor Family Members to Canada in 2025

Determine Eligibility: Use the IRCC’s online tools to check if you’re eligible to sponsor and who qualifies.

Download Application Package: Choose the correct package for spousal, child, or partner sponsorship from IRCC’s official site.

Gather Required Documents:

Identity and civil status documents

Proof of relationship (photos, communication history, joint financial accounts)

Police certificates

Medical exams

Passport-sized photos

Travel documents and national identity documents

Pay the Fees:

Spousal sponsorship: CAD $1,080 (includes processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics).

Child sponsorship: CAD $150 per child.

Biometrics: CAD $85 per person or CAD $170 per family.

Submit Your Application: Send your completed application package online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal or by mail (if applicable).

Wait for Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): IRCC will confirm receipt and begin processing.

Provide Biometrics and Additional Info: Attend biometrics and medical appointments if requested.

Track Status: Use your IRCC account to monitor progress and receive updates.

Receive Decision: Upon approval, your relative receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and instructions for final steps.

Required Documents Checklist For Canada family sponsorship 2025

For Spousal/Partner Sponsorship:

Marriage certificate or statutory declaration of common-law union

Photos of you together, chat logs, call history, joint bank statements

Lease or mortgage agreements with both names

Travel tickets and photos from joint trips

Affidavits from friends and family confirming your relationship

For Child Sponsorship:

• Birth certificate listing the sponsor as parent
• Passport copy of child
• Proof of custody or consent if one parent is not immigrating

Always refer to the official IRCC checklist for up-to-date document requirements, and ensure all non-English or non-French documents are translated by a certified translator.

Processing Times and Fees in 2025

Processing times vary based on the applicant’s country of origin, the completeness of your application, and IRCC workload. As of early 2025:

Spouse/Partner: 8–12 months

Dependent Children: 6–10 months

Parents/Grandparents: 20–24 months (subject to PGP reopening)

Fee Breakdown:

Spouse/partner: CAD $1,080 (includes right of permanent residence fee)

Dependent child: CAD $150 per child

Biometrics: CAD $85 per person (maximum $170 per family)

Expedited processing is not available, but complete and well-prepared applications reduce the chances of delays or refusals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In Canada family sponsorship 2025

Avoiding common errors can significantly improve your application’s success rate. Mistakes include:

Incomplete or incorrect forms

Submitting outdated application versions

Missing proof of relationship or weak documentation

Failing to provide translations for non-English/French documents

Not updating IRCC with changes in address, contact, or family situation

Professional immigration consultants or lawyers can help you review your application before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I sponsor my spouse while living outside Canada? Yes, if you’re a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents must reside in Canada to sponsor.

2. Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse or child? No, there is no financial requirement for sponsoring a spouse or child. Income requirements apply only to parents/grandparents.

3. Can same-sex partners apply under the sponsorship program? Yes. Canada recognizes same-sex marriages and partnerships under all sponsorship categories.

4. How long does the 2025 sponsorship process take? On average, 8–12 months for spouses/partners, and 6–10 months for children. IRCC is improving timelines to reduce backlogs.

5. Can I work or study while waiting for a decision? Yes. If your spouse or partner is already in Canada, they may be eligible for an open work permit while the application is processed.

6. What happens if my sponsorship is refused? You may appeal the decision or submit a new application with improved documentation, depending on the reason for refusal.

Why Sponsor Your Family to Canada in 2025?

Reunite with Loved Ones: Be together with your family and build a future in a stable, inclusive country.

Improved Processing Times: IRCC continues to reduce backlogs and digitize processes.

Pathway to Citizenship: Sponsored family members can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

Access to Services: Free healthcare, education, employment services, and settlement support.

Family-Oriented Immigration Policy: Canada values family unity and makes it a pillar of its immigration system.

Conclusion

Sponsoring your spouse, child, or partner to Canada in 2025 is not just possible it’s encouraged by Canadian immigration policy. With applications now open, act early, follow the process carefully, and ensure every document is in place.

Take the time to double-check your forms, gather strong evidence of your relationship, and respond promptly to IRCC requests. If needed, seek assistance from a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer to increase your chances of success.

For complete information and to begin your sponsorship, visit the official IRCC Family Sponsorship Page.

Don’t wait—start your application now and bring your family home to Canada in 2025.