Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents of Canada. The person who submits the sponsorship application is known as the Sponsor.

To qualify under the Family Class, the applicant must be an eligible relative of the sponsor and meet the requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must satisfy eligibility, financial, and admissibility criteria.

Sponsors are generally required to sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored family member for a specific period, ensuring they do not require social assistance.

Family members who may be eligible for sponsorship include:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children
• Parents and grandparents (subject to program intake and eligibility rules)
• Other eligible relatives in limited circumstances as defined by immigration regulations

All applicants must pass medical, security, and background checks before permanent residence is granted. Processing times vary depending on the category and country of residence.