Helping families reunite in Canada through trusted and guided sponsorship pathways.
Canada offers family sponsorship programs for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their loved ones to the country. Under these programs, certain eligible family members can become permanent residents of Canada.
Family sponsorship is one of the most popular Canadian immigration streams. Canada recognizes that family unity is important, which is why these programs often have reduced processing times, allowing sponsors to reunite with their immediate family members more efficiently.
There are two stages involved in sponsoring an eligible relative:
Both the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application must be submitted at the same time.
To apply as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and meet the eligibility requirements as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
In exceptional situations, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor one extended relative under the category commonly known as the “Lonely Canadian” sponsorship.
To qualify, the sponsor must not have a:
If the sponsoring person does not meet the required conditions, they may need to explore other permanent residence options such as Express Entry or other immigration pathways.
For sponsorship under the extended relative category, the sponsor must provide proof of income to show the ability to financially support the sponsored relative.
This category allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor an adult child, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, along with their dependent family members, provided all conditions are met.
To be eligible, the sponsor must show that they do not have a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or who could be sponsored under another family class category. For example, a sponsor who is married with children cannot sponsor their sister.
