By undertaking to support sponsored members of the family class, the sponsor promises that, for a specified duration, they will provide for the basic needs of their family members so they do not have to rely on social assistance.

If you’re a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you may be able to sponsor a spouse or relative to immigrate to Canada.

Program Requirements: 

• You must be able to support your spouse, partner or dependent children financially and make sure they don’t need social assistance from the government.

• Depends on your eligibility and income

Eligibility to Sponsor:

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• If living outside Canada, you must plan to live in Canada when the adopted child becomes a permanent resident.

• Must be at least 18 years old.

Requirements for Intercountry Adoption:

• Adoption must be legal in both the child’s home country and the province/territory of the adoptive parent.

• Adoption must end the legal relationship between the child and biological parents.

• There must be a genuine parent-child relationship between the adopter and the child.

• The adoption must be in the child’s best interests and not primarily for gaining permanent resident status in Canada.

Types of Adoptions:

• Completed Outside Canada: If the child’s home country laws allow adoptions outside their country.

• Completed Inside Canada: If the child’s home country permits domestic adoption.

You can only sponsor relatives like a brother, sister, aunt or uncle in very specific situations.

Eligibility to Sponsor Specific Relatives:

1. Orphaned Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, or Grandchild:

• Conditions:

  • Must be related by blood or adoption.

  • Both parents must be deceased.

  • Must be under 18 years old.

  • Must be single (not married or in a relationship).

Cannot Sponsor If:

• One or both parents are alive or their whereabouts are unknown.

• The child is being cared for by someone other than their parents.

• The parents are in jail or detained.

2. Other Relatives (any age):

• Conditions:

  • You cannot sponsor if you have a living relative you could sponsor instead (e.g., spouse, child, parent, grandparent, orphaned sibling).

  • You cannot sponsor if you have a relative (e.g., aunt, uncle, or others) who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act.

If sponsoring this relative, their spouse, partner, or dependent children must be included in the same application.

Intake is closed. 

Parents and grandparents may apply for a super visa to stay in Canada for 5 years, with the option for 2-year extensions.