Overview
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members to join them. The sponsor and the person being sponsored each have to show different things, and the application has to describe the relationship clearly and truthfully.
We work with spouses and partners applying from inside Canada and from outside it. The two paths differ in important ways, including where the person can live and what they may do while the application is processed, so we explain both before you choose. We also help with the sponsorship of children and parents.
Who this suits
- Couples where one partner is a citizen or permanent resident
- Spouses living together in Canada on a temporary status
- Couples who live in different countries
- Parents who want to sponsor a child, or children sponsoring a parent
- Families who have received a letter about their application
What to prepare
- Passports and identity documents for both people
- Proof of your relationship, such as photos, messages and shared records
- The sponsor's proof of status in Canada
- Civil documents such as marriage and birth certificates
- Police certificates and medical details, when requested
- A record of any earlier applications
How it works
Your family's situation
We hear your situation and explain the sponsorship categories that could apply.
Choosing a path
We set out the inside-Canada and outside-Canada paths side by side.
Preparing both applications
We prepare the sponsor's and the family member's parts together, and you review them.
Once it is filed
We look out for requests and help you reply before the deadline.
Common questions
The paths differ in where the sponsored person lives while the application is processed and in what they may do in the meantime. We explain both so you can choose with the full picture.
Yes. The application asks for evidence that the relationship is genuine, and clear, consistent records help. We tell you what to collect.
Visits are possible in some situations, but those rules are separate from sponsorship. We explain how a visit may be viewed during the process.
No consultant can promise an outcome. Final decisions on applications are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
