Family Class Sponsorship 2026
Reunite With Your Family in Canada
What is Family Sponsorship?
Called “The Family Class Sponsorship Program”, this program is focused on helping families of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Registered Indians to reunite with their close ones.
In simple terms, if you fall into one of the above categories (citizen, permanent resident, or Registered Indian), you can bring your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children to Canada.
Canada promotes family reunification. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the opportunity to sponsor their family members to Canada and there are several immigration programs that can help them to do that, as family reunification still remains one of the main pillars of the Canadian immigration system.
Who Can be a Sponsor Under the Family Sponsorship Program?
You can become a sponsor if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You are 18 years of age or older
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a Registered Indian
- You have the means to support your family member for 3+ years, depending on who you’re sponsoring.
- You can prove that you’re not receiving social assistance unless it's for a disability.
Who can be Sponsored Under the Family Class?
- Spouses (husband or wife, officially married)
- Common-law partners (if you’re not married officially)
- Conjugal partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and Grandparents
- Orphaned family members: Siblings, Nephews/Nieces, Grandchildren
Family Sponsorship Quota for 2025-2027
On October 24, 2024, the government of Canada announced new immigration quotas for 2025-2027. Under this document, Canada will aim to process the following number of sponsorship applications.
Family Sponsorship Immigration Quota
| Immigrant Category | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouses, Partners and Children | 70,000 | 66,500 | 61,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 24,500 | 21,500 | 20,000 |
Source: Government of Canada: 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan
Need help sponsoring your family member to Canada?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist
New Rule for Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Quota 2025
Family Sponsorship Applications: Processing Time
- the time you need to give your biometrics
- the assessment of the sponsor and the person being sponsored
- the time we need to make sure you meet eligibility requirements
Your Obligations as a Sponsor
In Canada, sponsorship of a family member comes with some obligations for the sponsor. The Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is the sponsor must sign an undertaking agreement and promise to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to take care of the sponsored family member for a certain period of time after they receive permanent residency.
Under the sponsorship agreement, you will be responsible for covering the basic needs of the person you’re sponsoring, including their needs in food, clothing and healthcare, where it’s not covered by the public health services. If they end up needing governmental social support, you will be under obligation to repay that money.
Duration of a Sponsorship Obligation (Undertaking)
Your obligation (i.e. undertaking) will last depending on who you are sponsoring. The undertaking remains effective and won’t cancel even if the person you sponsor becomes a Canadian citizen, you become divorced, move to another province or territory, or if your financial situation worsens.
| Who is Sponsored? | Duration, Years |
|---|---|
| Spouse, Common-law or Conjugal Partner | 3 Years |
| Children over 22 years old | 3 Years |
| Children under 22 years old | 10 years or till 25 years of age, whichever comes first |
| Parents/Grandparents | 20 years |
| Other Relatives | 10 years |
Can I Withdraw my Sponsorship Undertaking?
If the person you are sponsoring has already become a permanent resident you can’t cancel the undertaking. You can withdraw your sponsorship application before it is processed but it is not possible to cancel the undertaking.
Need help with a Spousal Sponsorship case in Edmonton?
Spousal Sponsorship Canada
If a Canadian citizen or permanent resident wants to sponsor their spouse, the individuals eligible for spousal sponsorship program must be under these categories:
- Spouse: legally valid marriage certificate under Canadian law and under law where the marriage took place
- Common-law partner: at least one year in a relationship
- Conjugal partner: at least 12 months of conjugal relationship
- Same-sex relationship: valid for immigration under the above categories
Dependent Child Sponsorship Canada
If you want to sponsor your children they must qualify as dependants, which means:
- They are under age of 22
- They do not have a spouse or common law partner
- They are over age of 22 and are unable to financially support themselves due mental or physical condition and they were depending financially from parents before they turned 22 years old
Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents to Canada
If you have the intention to sponsor your parents and/or grandparents to Canada, the sponsorship program will help you sponsor them to become permanent residents of Canada, whether they are related to you by blood or adoption.
The application intake for this sponsorship program opens usually once a year in the Fall and if you qualify to sponsor your parents and grandparents then you need to prepare prior to its opening date. There is a quota each year and after submitting only invited candidates can apply to sponsor their parents/grandparents.
We will be happy to prepare you and guide you through the process.
Parents Sponsorship Canada: Income Requirements
To assess your income eligibility, the government will look at your reported income for the last 3 tax years, based on the Notice of Assessment by the Canadian Revenue Agency.
| Number of people you’ll sponsor | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $47,549 | $44,530 | $43,082 |
| 3 people | $58,456 | $54,743 | $52,965 |
| 4 people | $70,972 | $66,466 | $64,306 |
| 5 people | $80,496 | $75,384 | $72,935 |
| 6 people | $90,784 | $85,020 | $82,259 |
| 7 people | $101,075 | $94,658 | $91,582 |
| If >7 people, add for each: | $10,291 | $9,636 | $9,324 |
Source: Government of Canada (link)
Need help with a Spousal Sponsorship case in Edmonton?
Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist
Family Sponsorship Application Fees in Canada
When you apply to sponsor a family member for Canadian permanent residency, the fees vary based on who you’re sponsoring—whether it’s a spouse, child, parent, or another relative. Payments should be made online during the application process.
| Fee | Price ($CAN) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor your spouse or partner, parent or grandparent Sponsorship fee ($85), principal applicant processing fee ($545) and right of permanent residence fee ($575) | $1,205.00 |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner, parent or grandparent (without right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($85) and principal applicant processing fee ($545) | $630.00 |
| Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent Processing fee ($635) and right of permanent residence fee ($575) | $1,210.00 |
| Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) Processing fee ($635) | $635.00 |
| Include a dependent child of your parent or grandparent | $175.00 (per child) |
| Sponsor a dependent child Sponsorship fee ($85) and processing fee ($85) | $170.00 (per child) |
| Include any dependent child Include any dependent child on an application with your spouse or partner | $175.00 (per child) |
| Biometrics – per person | $85.00 |
| Biometrics – per family (2 or more people) Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | $170.00 |
Follow this link to find out details about fees.
Canada Sponsorship: Siblings, Nephews/Nieces, Grandchildren
If you have sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren who are under the age of 18 and are orphaned and single, they may be sponsored to immigrate to Canada through a sponsorship program.
As long as you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you are able to financially support your sponsored relative in Canada and you meet the definition of the sponsor, this sponsorship program will help you reunite with your loved ones and help them to become permanent residents of beautiful Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sponsor my brother or sister under the Family Sponsorship program?
You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild only if they meet the following conditions:
- They are related to you by blood or adoption.
- They are under 18 years old.
- Both of their parents have passed away.
- They are single.
In such cases, the child must be fully orphaned, and you will need to provide proof of the relationship and the parents’ death.
Can my Canadian spouse apply for Family Sponsorship if she/he is outside of Canada?
Yes, in this case he/she needs to apply under the Family Sponsorship Class but they will have to prove that they will return to Canada when you become Permanent Resident
What program do I need to choose if I’m applying for spousal sponsorship while I’m in Canada?
There are advantages and disadvantages of both sponsorship programs (outside and inside Canada) and it should match your personal situation.
Which relative can you sponsor under the Family Class Sponsorship in Canada?
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent children, parents/grandparents and orphaned family members: brothers/sisters; nieces/nephews; grandchildren
How Long Do Family Sponsorship Applications Take to Process?
Spousal sponsorship: 10 months (if living outside Canada), 28 months (if living in Canada) Parents or grandparents: 24 months