Canadian CItizens and Permanent Residents can sponsor their eligible family members for Canadian Permanent Residence.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:


Who Can Be Sponsored?

You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and meet eligibility criteria.

You can sponsor:

  1. Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner
  2. Dependent children (biological or adopted, under 22 and unmarried)
  3. Parents and grandparents
  4. Other relatives (in special cases—like an orphaned sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild under 18 and unmarried)

💡 Eligibility for the Sponsor

You must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • Live in Canada (or plan to return when the family member arrives if you’re a citizen living abroad)
  • Not be receiving social assistance (unless it’s for a disability)
  • Be able to prove you can financially support the person you’re sponsoring

Note: For parents and grandparents, you must meet a specific minimum income requirement.


📄 How the Process Works

  1. Apply to be a sponsor
  2. Your relative applies for permanent residence
  3. Submit both applications together
  4. Pay the application fee(s)
  5. Send the application to the appropriate processing centre

⏳ Processing Times

  • Spouse/Partner: Around 12 months
  • Parents/Grandparents: Can be 2+ years and involves a lottery system
  • Dependent Children: Generally within 12 months

💰 Fees (CAD)

  • Sponsorship fee: $75
  • Principal applicant processing fee: $630
  • Right of permanent residence fee: $575
  • Dependent child fee: $170 per child if included with spouse or $175 if sponsored independently

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

  • It’s based on invitation to apply through a lottery system
  • There’s also the Super Visa option, which is a long-term visitor visa (up to 10 years)

Would you like help with a specific type of sponsorship? Like sponsoring a spouse, parent, or child? We can guide you step-by-step through that process. Please submit our Online Assessment form or book a Consultation meeting.