How Family Sponsorship Works in Canada 2025

Family reunification remains one of Canada’s most compassionate immigration priorities. In 2025, thousands of applicants benefit from the Family Sponsorship Program, which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible relatives to come to Canada and become permanent residents.

Skylam Immigration Services has guided numerous families through this process, ensuring smooth applications, faster approvals, and fewer delays. This guide provides a complete overview of family sponsorship pathways available this November, including spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents.

1. Who Can Sponsor Family Members?

To sponsor someone, the sponsor must meet basic eligibility criteria:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Live in Canada (or plan to return if a Canadian citizen living abroad)
• Financially able to support the sponsored person, including basic needs and healthcare for the first few years

Sponsors cannot have bankruptcy, criminal convictions, or previous immigration sponsorship obligations that were not fulfilled.

2. Eligible Family Members

Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program covers several categories of relatives:

🔹 Spouses, Common-Law Partners, or Conjugal Partners

• A spouse must be legally married.
• Common-law partners: living together continuously for at least 12 months.
• Conjugal partners: married or living together is not possible due to legal or cultural barriers.

Notes:

• Sponsorship includes the right to work and study while waiting for permanent residency approval.
• Applications require proof of genuine relationship (photos, communication history, joint bank accounts, affidavits).

🔹 Dependent Children

• Biological or adopted children under 22 years old.
• Children over 22 may qualify if financially dependent due to full-time education or disability.

Required documents: birth certificates, adoption papers, custody documents, and proof of dependency.

🔹 Parents and Grandparents

• Canadian citizens and PRs can sponsor parents or grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
• Annual intake is limited and often uses a lottery or first-come-first-served system.
• Sponsors must demonstrate minimum income levels for the last 3 years to support the family members.

🔹 Other Eligible Relatives

• In limited cases, orphans, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, or siblings can be sponsored if the sponsor has no other immediate family in Canada.
• These cases require strong proof of relationship and dependency.

3. Types of Applications

There are two main pathways for family sponsorship:

🔹 Inland Sponsorship

• Sponsor and applicant both live in Canada.
• Applicant can stay in Canada while the application is processed.
• Work permit eligibility is possible during processing.

🔹 Outland Sponsorship

• Applicant lives outside Canada.
• Applications are processed through the visa office in their country of residence.
• Faster processing in some cases, but applicants cannot live in Canada until approval.

4. Step-by-Step Sponsorship Process

Step 1: Check Eligibility

• Confirm that both sponsor and applicant meet IRCC requirements.
• Gather proof of relationship, legal documents, and financial records.

Step 2: Complete the Application Package

• Include:
  • IMM 1344 Sponsorship Form
  • IMM 5481 Sponsor Undertaking
  • Identity documents, photographs, and fees
• Double-check that forms are current and correctly signed.

Step 3: Submit the Application

• Applications are submitted online or by paper, depending on the category.
• Pay processing and biometrics fees.
• Keep a copy of all documents for personal records.

Step 4: Biometrics and Medical Exams

• Applicants may be asked to complete biometrics at a visa office.
• A medical exam by an IRCC-approved doctor is mandatory for most family members.

Step 5: Application Review

• IRCC verifies eligibility, financial support, and genuineness of relationships.
• Additional information may be requested during processing.

Step 6: Decision and Landing

• Once approved, applicants receive permanent resident visas.
• Inland applicants may receive PR cards while in Canada.
• Outland applicants must travel to Canada and present visa/POE documents at entry.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incomplete or outdated forms — Always use the latest IRCC versions.
2. Insufficient proof of relationship — Include photos, correspondence, and joint accounts.
3. Income requirements not met — Ensure sponsor meets Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for parents/grandparents.
4. Missed deadlines or incorrect fees — Pay attention to fee amounts and submission dates.
5. Medical or police clearance missing — These are required for all applicants.

Skylam helps families avoid delays and rejections by reviewing applications thoroughly before submission.

6. Processing Times

• Spouse, Partner, or Dependent Children: ~12–14 months
• Parents & Grandparents: ~24 months or longer, depending on intake
• Other relatives: Varies by case, generally 18–24 months

IRCC aims to streamline processing for immediate family members, but incomplete applications or missing documents can significantly increase wait times.

7. How Skylam Immigration Services Can Help

Family sponsorship applications can be complex, especially for parents, grandparents, or outland applications. Skylam Immigration Services provides:

• Personalized eligibility assessment for sponsors and applicants
• Guidance on financial requirements and proof of relationship
• Assistance with filling forms and submitting complete applications
• Updates and follow-ups with IRCC until approval

Our experienced team ensures families reunite faster and with minimal stress.

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