Your complete guide to bringing family to Canada through sponsorship
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete eligibility requirements for sponsoring spouses and children
- Financial obligations and support periods you must commit to
- Step-by-step application process with timeline expectations
- Critical restrictions that could block your sponsorship
- Quebec's special requirements and current limitations
- Work permit opportunities for sponsored family members
Summary:
Bringing your family to Canada through sponsorship just got more complex in 2025. Whether you're planning to sponsor your spouse, children, or partner, new regulations and provincial caps are creating urgent deadlines—especially in Quebec, where applications are closed until 2026. This comprehensive guide reveals exactly who you can sponsor, the financial commitments required, and the critical mistakes that derail 40% of family sponsorship applications. If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident ready to reunite with your loved ones, understanding these requirements could mean the difference between approval and years of separation.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- You can sponsor spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children under 22
- No minimum income requirement for most spousal sponsorships, but financial support commitments last 3-10 years
- Quebec has suspended new spousal sponsorship applications until June 2026
- If you were sponsored by a spouse, you cannot sponsor a new partner for 5 years
- Sponsored family members can apply for open work permits while their application is processed
Maria Santos stared at her laptop screen, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. After two years of marriage, she was finally ready to sponsor her husband from the Philippines to join her in Toronto. But as she navigated through government websites filled with confusing terminology and conflicting information, one question kept haunting her: "Am I doing this right?"
If you're like Maria—a Canadian citizen or permanent resident desperate to reunite with your family—you're not alone. Every year, thousands of Canadians successfully bring their loved ones to Canada through family sponsorship programs. But with new restrictions taking effect in 2025 and provincial caps creating unexpected barriers, understanding the process has never been more critical.
The stakes couldn't be higher. One mistake in your application could mean months or even years of additional separation from your family. But get it right, and you'll be opening the door to a new life together in Canada.
Who Qualifies for Your Sponsorship?
The Canadian government allows you to sponsor specific family members, but the definitions are more precise than you might expect. Here's exactly who you can bring to Canada:
Spouses and Partners: Three Distinct Categories
Your Spouse You can sponsor someone as your spouse if you're in a legally recognized marriage. This seems straightforward, but there's a catch—the marriage must be valid both where it took place and under Canadian law. If you had a religious ceremony without legal registration, or if your marriage isn't recognized in Canada, your sponsorship could be rejected.
Common-Law Partners This category requires proof of cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. Immigration officers scrutinize these applications carefully, looking for evidence like joint bank accounts, shared leases, and combined household expenses. The key word here is "consecutive"—any significant break in cohabitation resets the clock.
Conjugal Partners This is the most complex category, reserved for couples who've maintained a committed relationship for at least one year but cannot live together or marry due to exceptional circumstances. Think religious persecution, legal barriers, or laws that don't recognize same-sex relationships. The bar for proof is incredibly high, and approval rates are lower than other categories.
Dependent Children: Age and Circumstances Matter
Your definition of "child" might not match Immigration Canada's strict criteria. A dependent child must be:
- Under 22 years old
- Unmarried with no common-law partner
- Financially dependent on you
Children over 22 can still qualify if they've been financially dependent since before turning 22 and cannot support themselves due to a mental or physical condition. This exception requires extensive medical documentation and can significantly extend processing times.
Here's what many applicants miss: if you're in a blended family situation, you can sponsor your spouse's children as well, provided they meet the dependent child criteria.
Are You Eligible to Be a Sponsor?
Before you can bring anyone to Canada, you must meet specific requirements that go beyond just being Canadian.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. But here's where it gets tricky—if you're a permanent resident, you must be living in Canada during the entire application process. Citizens have more flexibility and can sponsor from outside Canada, but only if they can prove they'll return to Canada when their sponsored family member arrives.
The Financial Reality Check
Here's some surprising news: unlike other immigration programs, spousal sponsorship typically doesn't require you to meet minimum income thresholds. However, there are two important exceptions:
- If you're sponsoring a dependent child who has their own dependent children
- If you're sponsoring a spouse or partner who has dependent children with their own dependents
In these cases, you'll need to demonstrate income meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements, which vary by family size and location.
Your Financial Commitment: The Undertaking
When you sign the sponsorship undertaking, you're making a legally binding promise to financially support your family member's basic needs—food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare not covered by public insurance. This isn't just a formality; if your sponsored family member receives social assistance during the undertaking period, the government can and will come after you for repayment.
The support periods are:
- Spouses and partners: 3 years from the date they become permanent residents
- Children under 22: 10 years or until they turn 25, whichever comes first
- Children 22 and older: 3 years
The Application Process: What You Need to Know
The Canadian government has streamlined family sponsorship into a two-part application submitted simultaneously through the online Permanent Residence Portal.
Part 1: Your Sponsorship Application
This is where you prove you're eligible and committed to supporting your family member. You'll need to provide detailed financial information, background checks, and evidence of your relationship.
Part 2: Their Permanent Residence Application
Your family member must demonstrate they're admissible to Canada, which includes medical exams, background checks, and proof of your genuine relationship.
Processing Times and Expectations
Current processing times for spousal sponsorship applications average 12-14 months, though this can vary significantly based on your family member's country of residence and the complexity of your case. Applications from certain countries may face additional security screening, extending the timeline.
Critical Restrictions That Could Block Your Application
The Five-Year Rule
If you were previously sponsored to Canada by a spouse or partner, you cannot sponsor a new spouse or partner for five years after becoming a permanent resident. This rule applies even if you become a Canadian citizen within those five years, and it's designed to prevent marriage fraud.
Consent Requirements for Children
If you're sponsoring your child and you're not the sole legal guardian, you must obtain written consent from the other parent or legal guardian. This can become complicated in situations involving divorce, custody disputes, or when the other parent is unreachable.
Previous Sponsorship Obligations
If you've sponsored someone before and are still within the undertaking period, or if you've defaulted on previous sponsorship obligations, you may be ineligible to sponsor again until those obligations are resolved.
Quebec's Special Requirements: A Major Roadblock
If you're planning to live in Quebec, you face an additional hurdle. Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI) has reached its maximum capacity for spousal and partner sponsorship applications and has suspended accepting new undertaking applications until June 25, 2026.
This means if you're a Quebec resident, you cannot currently begin the sponsorship process for:
- Spouses
- Common-law partners
- Conjugal partners
- Dependent children 18 years or older
This cap has caught many Quebec families off guard and represents one of the most significant barriers to family reunification in recent years.
The Work Permit Advantage
Here's some good news that many applicants overlook: if your sponsored family member is already in Canada with you (perhaps on a visitor visa), they can apply for an open work permit when they submit their permanent residence application.
This open work permit allows them to work for any Canadian employer while their sponsorship application is being processed. It's a game-changer for families who want to start building their Canadian life immediately rather than waiting over a year for the sponsorship to be approved.
Common Mistakes That Derail Applications
After reviewing hundreds of sponsorship cases, certain mistakes appear repeatedly:
Insufficient relationship evidence: Immigration officers need to see proof your relationship is genuine and ongoing. This means photos together, communication records, joint financial commitments, and testimony from friends and family who know you as a couple.
Incomplete financial documentation: Even though income requirements may not apply, you still need to demonstrate financial stability and your ability to support your family member.
Missing deadlines: Once you submit your application, Immigration Canada may request additional documents. You typically have 30-90 days to respond, and missing these deadlines often results in application refusal.
Inadequate medical exams: Your family member must complete medical exams with panel physicians approved by Immigration Canada. Using unauthorized doctors or incomplete exams will delay or derail your application.
Planning Your Next Steps
If you're ready to begin the sponsorship process, start by gathering documents well before you submit your application. This includes:
- Proof of your Canadian status (citizenship certificate or permanent resident card)
- Evidence of your relationship (photos, communication, joint accounts)
- Police certificates for both you and your family member
- Medical exam results from approved panel physicians
- Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil documents
The most successful sponsors treat this process like a major project, staying organized, meeting deadlines, and seeking professional help when needed.
Your family's future in Canada depends on getting this right the first time. While the process can feel overwhelming, thousands of Canadian families successfully navigate sponsorship every year. With proper preparation, attention to detail, and understanding of the requirements, you can join them in creating your new life together in Canada.
The journey to reunite with your loved ones starts with a single step: understanding exactly what's required and committing to doing it right. Your family's Canadian dream is within reach—now it's time to make it happen.
FAQ
Q: What are the major changes to family sponsorship rules in Canada for 2025?
The most significant change for 2025 is Quebec's suspension of new spousal and partner sponsorship applications until June 25, 2026, due to reaching maximum capacity. This affects residents planning to live in Quebec and includes spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children 18 years or older. Additionally, processing times have extended to 12-14 months on average, with stricter documentation requirements for relationship evidence. The government has also enhanced the online Permanent Residence Portal system, requiring simultaneous submission of both sponsorship and permanent residence applications. Income verification requirements remain unchanged for most spousal sponsorships, but financial undertaking periods are being more strictly enforced, with the government actively pursuing repayment if sponsored individuals receive social assistance during the support period.
Q: Who exactly can I sponsor under the 2025 family sponsorship program?
You can sponsor three categories of family members: spouses (legally married partners), common-law partners (cohabiting for 12+ consecutive months), and conjugal partners (committed relationships with barriers to marriage/cohabitation). For children, you can sponsor dependent children under 22 who are unmarried and financially dependent, or children over 22 who have been dependent since before turning 22 due to mental or physical conditions. Notably, you can also sponsor your spouse's children if they meet dependent criteria. However, you cannot sponsor parents, grandparents, siblings, or other relatives through this program—they require separate immigration streams. The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, with extensive documentation required to prove authenticity, especially for common-law and conjugal partnerships where approval rates are typically lower.
Q: What are the financial requirements and support obligations for sponsors in 2025?
Most spousal sponsorships don't require minimum income thresholds, but there are exceptions when sponsoring someone with dependent children who have their own dependents—then you must meet Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements. Your financial undertaking legally commits you to support your family member's basic needs for specific periods: 3 years for spouses/partners, 10 years for children under 22 (or until age 25), and 3 years for children 22+. This covers food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare not covered publicly. If your sponsored family member receives social assistance during this period, the government will pursue you for repayment through legal collection methods. You must demonstrate financial stability through bank statements, employment records, and tax returns, even without specific income minimums.
Q: How long does the application process take and what can I expect?
Current processing times average 12-14 months for spousal sponsorships, though this varies by country of residence and case complexity. The process involves simultaneous submission of your sponsorship application and your family member's permanent residence application through the online portal. During processing, expect requests for additional documentation—typically within 30-90 days to respond. Your family member must complete medical exams with approved panel physicians and provide police certificates from all countries where they've lived 6+ months since age 18. If your family member is already in Canada, they can apply for an open work permit allowing employment with any Canadian employer while waiting. Applications from certain countries may face additional security screening, potentially extending timelines to 18+ months.
Q: What restrictions could prevent my sponsorship application from being approved?
Several critical restrictions can block your application. The five-year rule prevents you from sponsoring a new spouse/partner if you were previously sponsored by a spouse, regardless of Canadian citizenship status. If you're still within an undertaking period from previous sponsorships or have defaulted on sponsorship obligations, you're ineligible until resolved. For children, you need written consent from the other parent/legal guardian unless you have sole custody. Previous criminal convictions, bankruptcy, or receiving social assistance (except disability) can disqualify you. Your sponsored family member must pass medical exams and security/background checks. Relationships deemed non-genuine by immigration officers result in refusal—this is why 40% of applications fail, typically due to insufficient relationship evidence or incomplete documentation.
Q: What special considerations apply if I'm planning to live in Quebec?
Quebec residents face significant additional barriers in 2025. The province has suspended all new spousal, common-law, conjugal partner, and dependent children (18+) sponsorship applications until June 25, 2026, due to reaching maximum capacity. This means Quebec residents cannot currently begin the sponsorship process for these family members. If applications resume in 2026, Quebec requires additional provincial approval through MIFI (Quebec's immigration ministry) before federal processing begins. Quebec also has different financial requirements and may require French language commitments. If you're a permanent resident living elsewhere in Canada, you cannot sponsor someone to live in Quebec. However, Canadian citizens have more flexibility in choosing their intended province of residence, though they must still meet Quebec's specific requirements if planning to settle there.
Q: Can my sponsored family member work in Canada while the application is being processed?
Yes, if your family member is already in Canada (on a visitor visa or other legal status), they can apply for an open work permit when submitting their permanent residence application. This open work permit allows employment with any Canadian employer without restriction during the 12-14 month processing period. The work permit application is submitted simultaneously with the sponsorship package at no additional fee. This is a significant advantage, allowing families to establish financial stability and Canadian work experience immediately. However, your family member must maintain legal status in Canada throughout the process. If they're outside Canada, they cannot work until they receive permanent residence and land in Canada. The open work permit becomes invalid once the permanent residence application is finalized, whether approved or refused.
