Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence (see Family Sponsorship). The following family members can be sponsored:

(1) Spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners

A “common law partner” (also known as a “common law spouse”) is a person who is cohabiting with the person in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year; the year of cohabiting must be a continuous 12-month period.

A “conjugal partner” is a person outside Canada who has had a binding relationship with the sponsor for at least one year but who did not live together continuously for one year, usually because of legal or social obstacles, such as a separation due to war, natural disasters, and other extreme circumstances.

(2) Dependent children

A “dependent child” is the child who is:

(i) is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner, or

(ii) is 22 years of age or older and has depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since before attaining the age of 22 years and is unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition.

(3) Children intended for adoption

(4) Parents and grandparents and their dependent children

(5) Brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren who are orphaned, under 18, and not a spouse or common-law partner

(6) Any relative, if the sponsor has no other eligible family members to sponsor and has no relatives in Canada

To qualify as a sponsor, a person must:

(1) Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

(2) Be at least 18 years old

(3) Reside in Canada (with limited exceptions for Canadian citizens living abroad who will return when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident — permanent residents living abroad may not sponsor)

(4) Not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability

(5) Demonstrate that you can provide for the basic needs of yourself and your sponsored family member

A person cannot sponsor if he/she:

(1) Is in default on an immigration loan or performance bond

(2) Did not pay court-ordered alimony or child support

(3) Has declared bankruptcy that has not been discharged

(4) Was convicted of a sexual offence, violent crime, or offence against a relative causing bodily harm

(5) Is sponsoring a spouse or partner and were themselves sponsored as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and became a permanent resident less than five years ago

(6) Is under a removal order

(7) Is incarcerated

(8) Has a pending spousal sponsorship application that has not yet been decided

Family members who cannot be sponsored include:

A spouse or partner who is under 18 years of age
A spouse or partner if the marriage was performed without both spouses being physically present
A family member who was a non-accompanying dependent and was not examined when the sponsor previously applied to Canada as a permanent resident.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws change frequently. Please consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Last updated: July 1, 2026.