Canada remains one of the most family-friendly countries for immigration. If you’re a permanent resident or citizen, you can bring your spouse and children to join you.
Sponsor Your Spouse and Children to Canada
This 2025 guide explains how to sponsor your loved ones, step by step, without confusion.
Who Can Sponsor Family to Canada?
To sponsor your spouse or children, you must meet these requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Reside in Canada or plan to return when your family arrives
- Not be in prison, bankrupt, or under a removal order
You also cannot have sponsored someone else within the past 5 years who then received permanent residence.
Who Can You Sponsor?
You can sponsor:
- Your spouse (legally married partner)
- Your common-law partner (lived together for at least 12 months)
- Your conjugal partner (relationship of at least 1 year with significant barriers to cohabitation)
- Dependent children (under 22 years old and not married)
Children over 22 may qualify if they are financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition.
How the Family Sponsorship Process Works
Canada’s family sponsorship process follows a two-stage system:
- You apply to sponsor your family
- Your spouse or children apply for permanent residence
Both applications are submitted together.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sponsor Family in 2025
Step 1: Get Required Documents
You’ll need:
- Proof of status in Canada (PR card or citizenship certificate)
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law status
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- Police clearance certificates (for the sponsored person)
- Medical exam results (for the sponsored person)
All documents not in English or French must be officially translated.
Step 2: Submit the Application
Apply online via the IRCC portal:
- Create an account and complete the sponsorship forms
- Upload all required documents
- Pay the application fee
Fees (2025):
- $1,080 for spouse sponsorship
- $150 per dependent child
- Additional biometrics fee: $85 per person or $170 per family
Step 3: Wait for Processing
Sponsorship processing times vary:
- Spouse/common-law: ~12 months
- Dependent children: 6 to 10 months
You can track the status online using the IRCC tracker.
Step 4: Receive Decision & Final Steps
If approved:
- Your family receives Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- They can travel to Canada and land as permanent residents
Upon arrival, they must present COPR and passport at the Canadian border.
Important Considerations
Financial Obligations
As a sponsor, you must sign a legal undertaking promising to support your family financially:
- Spouse: for 3 years
- Dependent child under 22: for 10 years or until age 25
- Dependent child over 22: for 3 years
You must ensure they don’t rely on government assistance during this period.
Inadmissibility
Your family members may be denied entry if they have:
- Serious criminal convictions
- Medical conditions that could cause excessive demand on healthcare
- Misrepresentation in past immigration applications
Steps for Faster Approval
- Submit complete and accurate documents
- Translate all foreign documents properly
- Include detailed proof of relationship (photos, chats, emails, etc.)
- Respond quickly to IRCC requests
Can You Work While Sponsoring?
Yes, you can work in Canada while the application is being processed. Spouses being sponsored from within Canada can also apply for an open work permit while waiting for approval.
