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Express Entry

Family Sponsorship The pathway to reunite With your loved ones

The Canadian government allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members through the Family Class Sponsorship program. Whether it’s your spouse, common-law partner, parents, grandparents, or dependent children — this pathway is built to keep families together. Introduced under Canada’s commitment to family reunification, it remains one of the most trusted routes to obtain permanent residence for loved ones living abroad. We have a simple, supportive process to guide you through your sponsorship journey in Canada.

canada-express-entry
FAMILY
SPONSORSHIP
2026
Avg. Processing
12 Months
From application to permanent residency

The Most Direct Way To Reunite Your Family In Canada

Family Sponsorship isn’t a points-based program — it’s a relationship-based pathway built around Canada’s commitment to keeping families together. No CRS score. No lottery. Your eligibility is determined by your status as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, your financial capacity, and the genuineness of your relationship. Three core streams qualify you: the Spouse, Common-Law & Conjugal Partner Program for couples in committed relationships, the Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) for sponsoring your elders, and the Dependent Child Sponsorship for bringing your children to Canada. Once your application is approved, your loved ones receive permanent residency and the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.

Family & Spouse Sponsership Programs

Three programs feed into Family and Spouse Sponsorship. Eligibility depends on your relationship, proof of support & meeting requirements.
Three programs feed into Family and Spouse Sponsorship. Eligibility depends on your relationship, proof of support & meeting requirements.
Spouse & Partner Sponsorship

Spouse & Partner

Spousal Program

For Canadian citizens or PRs sponsoring a legally married spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner. Requires proof of a genuine relationship.

Best for: Married couples, long-term partners, conjugal partners
Parents & Grandparents Program

Parents & Grandparents

PGP Program

Bring your parents or grandparents to Canada permanently. Requires meeting Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for 3 consecutive tax years.

Best for: Sponsors with stable income reuniting multi-generational families
Dependent Children Sponsorship

Dependent Children

Child Sponsorship

Sponsor biological or adopted children under 22 who are unmarried and not in a common-law relationship. No income requirement in most cases.

Best for: Parents reuniting with children or finalizing international adoptions

From Application to Approval in 7 Steps

The full Family & Spouse Sponsorship journey, broken down into actionable milestones.
canada migration
01

Confirm Your Eligibility

Verify sponsor status, age, residency, and financial requirements before applying.

1–2 weeks
02

Gather Relationship Proof

Marriage certificates, photos, joint accounts, communication history, and affidavits.

2–4 weeks
03

Complete Sponsorship Forms

Sponsor application (IMM 1344) plus applicant forms and statutory declarations.

1–2 weeks
04

Submit Application to IRCC

Upload everything to the IRCC portal with fees ($1,205 spousal / $1,080 PGP).

Same day
05

Sponsor Approval Stage

IRCC verifies the sponsor meets all obligations before reviewing the sponsored person.

2–4 months
06

Biometrics & Medical Exam

Sponsored person completes biometrics and a panel-physician medical exam.

4–8 weeks
07

COPR Issued — Family Reunited

Your sponsored loved one lands in Canada as a permanent resident.

Within 12 months avg.

Eligibility Is Determined
Under
The four categories

Family and spouse sponsorship pathways help reunite loved ones in Canada.
Eligibility depends on your relationship status, sponsorship requirements
and supporting documentation.

Family and spouse sponsorship pathways help reunite loved ones in Canada. Eligibility depends on your relationship status, sponsorship requirements and supporting documentation.

Sponsor Status Financial Capacity Relationship Proof Undertaking Commitment

The ABIS Sponsorship Roadmap

Step 1

Sponsor Status

You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, and at least 18 years old. Permanent residents must be physically residing in Canada to sponsor. Citizens may sponsor a spouse or children from abroad if they plan to return to Canada once the application is approved.

18+ Minimum sponsor age

Step 2

Financial Capacity

For spousal and dependent child sponsorship, there is no fixed income requirement — but you must show you can support your family member. For Parents & Grandparents sponsorship, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for three consecutive tax years, proven through CRA Notices of Assessment.

3 Years MNI required for PGP

Step 3

Relationship Proof

For spouse and partner sponsorship, you must demonstrate a genuine relationship — not one entered into for immigration purposes. Acceptable proof includes marriage certificates, evidence of cohabitation, joint finances, photographs, travel history, and ongoing communication records between both partners.

12+ Months Cohabitation for common-law

Step 4

Undertaking Commitment

Sponsors sign a binding undertaking to financially support the sponsored person and repay any social assistance they receive. Undertaking periods vary: 3 years for a spouse or partner, 10 years for a dependent child, and 20 years for parents or grandparents (10 years in Quebec).

3–20 Yrs Undertaking period range
Schedule Call

Secure your consultation today to begin your personalized roadmap.

How to Apply for Family & Spouse Sponsership

Simple steps to start your journey toward Canadian permanent residency. Before you apply for family or spouse sponsorship,
make sure you meet the eligibility criteria across relationship authenticity, financial ability to support, and residency obligations.

Requirement 01

Sponsor Status

You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, and at least 18 years old. PRs must reside in Canada to sponsor; citizens may sponsor from abroad if planning to return.

Citizen / PR / Indian Status 18+ required
Requirement 02

Financial Capacity

No fixed income required for spouse or dependent child sponsorship — just proof you can provide support. For Parents & Grandparents, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for three consecutive tax years.

No MNI for spouse 3-yr MNI for PGP
Canada landscape
Your Pathway

Your Journey To Reuniting Family In Canada

Requirement 03

Relationship Proof

For spouse and partner cases, you must demonstrate a genuine relationship — not entered into for immigration. Acceptable proof includes marriage certificates, cohabitation evidence, joint finances, and communication records.

Genuine relationship 12+ months cohabitation
Requirement 04

Undertaking Commitment

Sponsors sign a binding undertaking to financially support the sponsored person and repay any social assistance received. Periods vary: 3 years for a spouse, 10 years for a child, 20 years for parents or grandparents.

3 yrs (Spouse) 10 yrs (Child) 20 yrs (PGP)

Immigration Strategy Expert?

Immigration frameworks are in a state of constant flux. What was standard last year
is often obsolete today. We provide the technical oversight and regulatory intelligence
required to navigate these shifts with absolute certainty.

Immigration frameworks are in a state of constant flux. What was standard last year is often obsolete today. We provide the technical oversight and regulatory intelligence required to navigate these shifts with absolute certainty.