Sponsor Family

Overview

Family sponsorship connects an eligible sponsor with a qualifying family member. Start with the relationship category, sponsor requirements and the evidence needed to explain your circumstances.

Who it is for

Eligible sponsors and their spouses, partners, dependent children or other qualifying relatives.

Eligibility

Relationship categories, sponsor responsibilities, financial rules and Quebec procedures can differ. Verify the relevant route and current intake before preparing a submission.

Choose the correct relationship category

Spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents do not all use one sponsorship process. Identify the relationship category first, then check the sponsor's eligibility and the sponsored person's requirements. Parent and grandparent sponsorship is affected by intake instructions; submitting an expression of interest or waiting for an invitation is different from filing a complete sponsorship application.

A Super Visa is a temporary-resident alternative for some parents and grandparents, not a substitute permanent-residence application. Other-relative sponsorship has narrow conditions. If the relationship does not fit a clearly identified category, get a qualified assessment before assembling a large application or buying a package.

Prepare relationship evidence with context

Create a timeline of important relationship or family events and identify the documents that support it. Names, dates, addresses and family details should agree across civil records and forms. Where a record is unavailable, inconsistent or issued late, explain the real circumstances and follow the official instructions for substitutes or additional evidence.

Choose evidence that is relevant and readable. Large quantities of repeated photographs or messages can make a file harder to navigate. Organize evidence by period or topic and preserve originals. Do not manufacture events, alter correspondence or omit a previous marriage or family member to simplify the account. Raise complicated history with the professional reviewing the case.

Understand the sponsor's commitment before signing

Sponsorship includes an undertaking whose length and requirements depend on the category and applicable jurisdiction. It is a financial commitment, not simply an invitation letter. Read the obligations carefully and discuss changes in family circumstances before signing. Quebec may add provincial undertaking requirements to the federal process.

Income requirements and available exemptions differ by route. Do not apply a parents-and-grandparents income table automatically to a spousal case, or assume an exemption from an income threshold removes all sponsor obligations. Our tools help identify which questions need checking; the official guide for the selected category remains essential.

Manage the application as a shared record

Agree who monitors the account and email, who keeps the full submitted copy and how requests will be shared between the sponsor and applicant. Record response deadlines and changes in contact details or family composition. Keep medical, biometrics and police-certificate requests together with proof of the action taken.

For your first enquiry, tell us the relationship category, where the sponsor and applicant live and whether an application has already been filed. Avoid sending private relationship records in a first WhatsApp message. We will explain the available support and confirm any authorized professional's role before engagement.

Documents to prepare

A starting point for your preparation. Your personal document requirements depend on the current official instructions and your circumstances.

• Sponsor identity and status records
• Relationship and civil status evidence
• Applicant identity and family records
• Financial evidence where applicable
• Forms and supporting evidence for the specific relationship category

Fees, clearly separated

Government fees are separate from our professional fees. Medical examinations, biometrics, insurance, translations and other third-party costs may apply. Confirm the current government fee with IRCC and request a written service scope before paying.

Processing time

Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Select your application type and country in Processing Times, or check directly with IRCC. A published estimate does not predict the decision date for your file.

Your application steps

1. Identify the correct relationship category.
2. Check sponsor responsibilities and intake.
3. Build a clear relationship evidence pack.
4. Prepare sponsor and applicant documents together.
5. Follow official requests after submission.

After you apply

Keep a copy of your submission, check the official account used to apply, and follow any request from IRCC. Respond by the deadline in your letter. Our preparation progress is separate from official IRCC application status.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Incomplete relationship timelines
• Missing family declarations or civil records
• Assuming parent sponsorship accepts applications at any time

Understanding a refusal

A refusal may raise relationship, sponsor or admissibility concerns. The available review route depends on the decision and circumstances.

Questions, made clear

Official sources & review

• Family sponsorship routes
• Sponsor a spouse, partner or child