Sponsorships

Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to sponsor close relatives who wish to reside in Canada. In order to become an eligible sponsor, applicants must demonstrate their ability to financially support sponsored relatives from three to ten years. Sponsors must meet what is called a Low Income Cut off.

Length of Financial support based on family members:

  1. Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner:  3 years
  2. Dependant Children UNDER 22 (you or your spouse’s, common-law or conjugal partner’s dependent child): a dependant child must receive financial support for a period of 10 years, OR until the child turns 25 years of age, whichever comes first.
  3. Dependant Children OVER 22: 3 years
  4. ALL others: 10 years.
Please be advised that Quebec has its own LICO. If you reside in the province of Quebec, and wish to sponsor your family member, you must refer to Quebec’s LICO.

The following is a list of close relatives which you are eligible to sponsor:

  • your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older;
  • your parents or grandparents;
  • your dependent children, including adopted children;
  • children under 18 years of age whom you intend to adopt;
  • your brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who are orphans; under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship; or
  • a relative of any age if you do not have an aunt, uncle or family member from the list above who you could sponsor or who is already a Canadian citizen, Indian or permanent resident.
  • If you do not have any of the above mentioned individuals whom you can sponsor, you may be eligible to sponsor any other family member.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class
You may also sponsor a spouse or common-law partner from within Canada if they have been living with you in Canada for a period of one year or more. The in Canada Sponsorship class is designed to allow couples to stay together during the immigration process if it can be demonstrated that having the applicant move to their home country may cause undue hardship for them as well as their possibility of return. In such cases, your spouse, common- law or conjunctional partner including their dependent children whether inside or outside of Canada may be eligible to be sponsored in Canada.