Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship Services
Reunite With Your Loved Ones in Canada
Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence in Canada. Our primary focus is spousal and common-law partner sponsorship, helping couples navigate the application process whether the sponsored partner is inside or outside Canada. We provide comprehensive support for demonstrating genuine relationships, preparing thorough documentation, and managing applications through to approval
As Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants, we ensure your sponsorship application meets all IRCC requirements and presents the strongest possible case for your family's reunification.
Spouse and Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
Who Can You Sponsor
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner if you meet the eligibility requirements. Your relationship must be genuine and not entered into primarily for the purpose of acquiring immigration status.
Spouse: You are legally married to your partner. Your marriage must be legally valid in the country where it took place and under Canadian law.
Common-Law Partner: You and your partner have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months continuously. Brief periods of separation for work or family obligations are allowed if you can demonstrate continuity of the relationship.
Conjugal Partner: You have been in a committed relationship for at least 12 months but could not live together or marry due to significant legal or immigration barriers. This category applies in exceptional circumstances only and can only be sponsored through the Outside Canada process.
Dependent Children: Children accompanying your spouse or partner can be included in the sponsorship application. Dependent children must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or common-law partner.
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
To sponsor your spouse or partner, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
- Not be receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability
- Have enough money to support yourself and the people you are sponsoring
Although there is not direct financial requirements for spouse, common-law and children, IRCC still wants to see the financial plans in place.
Location Requirements
Canadian citizens can sponsor from outside Canada provided they demonstrate intent to live in Canada once the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents must reside in Canada when they apply and throughout the processing of the sponsorship application.
Income Requirement
In most cases, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent child. You only need to meet minimum income requirements if you are sponsoring a dependent child that has one or more dependent children of their own, or sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child with one or more dependent children. However, you must demonstrate that you can support the sponsored person's basic necessities without relying on social assistance.
Sponsorship Undertaking
When you sponsor a spouse or partner, you sign a legal contract called a Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking. This means you must financially support your spouse for three years from the date they become a permanent resident. If your spouse receives social assistance during this period, the government can legally require you to repay those amounts. This obligation continues even if you separate or divorce. Defaulting on this undertaking makes you ineligible to sponsor anyone else in the future.
Who Cannot Sponsor
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if you:
- Were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
- Signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored and it has not been 3 years since they became a permanent resident
- Are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary
- Are behind on payments for an immigration loan, performance bond, or court-ordered family support payments
- Did not provide the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past
- Declared bankruptcy and are not discharged
- Were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm, or a sexual offence within or outside Canada
- Cannot legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a removal order
Inside Canada vs Outside Canada Applications
Inside Canada Sponsorship (Inland)
Inside Canada sponsorship, also known as Inland Sponsorship or Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class, is for sponsored partners who are physically residing in Canada with valid temporary status.
Key Features
- Sponsored person must be in Canada: The sponsored partner must be physically present in Canada when the application is submitted and must remain in Canada throughout processing
- Open work permit eligibility: Sponsored persons can apply for an open work permit as part of their application, allowing them to work in Canada while waiting for permanent residence approval
- Limited travel: Leaving Canada during application processing in the past could result in abandonment of the application. Travel should be avoided or minimized (IRCC is more open to travels now)
- Processing time: Generally longer than outside applicants
- No appeal rights: If the application is refused, there is no right of appeal. Options are limited to judicial review
Best for: Couples where the sponsored partner is already in Canada with valid status and wants to obtain work authorization while waiting for permanent residence approval.
Outside Canada Sponsorship (Outland)
Outside Canada sponsorship, also known as Outland Sponsorship or Family Class, is for sponsored partners who are residing outside Canada or who are in Canada but prefer the flexibility of this process.
Key Features
- Flexible location: The sponsored person can be living outside Canada or in Canada with valid temporary status
- Travel flexibility: Both the sponsor (if a Canadian citizen) and the sponsored person can travel freely in and out of Canada during processing without affecting the application
- Faster processing: Currently approximately 14 months for non-Quebec applications
- Full appeal rights: If the application is refused, the sponsor has the right to appeal the decision
- No work permit: Sponsored persons cannot apply for an open work permit as part of the application unless they are in Canada with valid status and apply separately
Best for: Couples where the sponsored partner is outside Canada, couples who need travel flexibility during processing, or couples who want shorter processing times and full appeal rights.
Which Process Should You Choose
Choose Inside Canada if
- The sponsored partner is in Canada with valid status
- Work authorization is needed immediately
- The couple can remain in Canada throughout processing
- Travel outside Canada can be avoided
Choose Outside Canada if
- The sponsored partner is outside Canada
- Travel flexibility is important during processing
- Faster processing time is preferred
- Full appeal rights are desired in case of refusal
Proving Your Relationship is Genuine
Relationship Evidence Requirements
IRCC requires comprehensive evidence demonstrating that your relationship is genuine and continuing. Applications must include credible and well-documented proof supported by multiple types of evidence.
Types of Relationship Proof
Communication Records
- Phone records showing regular contact
- Text message exchanges
- Email correspondence
- Social media messages and interactions
- Video call logs or screenshots
Financial Evidence
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint credit cards or loans
- Joint ownership or rental agreements
- Life insurance policies naming each other as beneficiaries
- Joint utility bills or shared household expenses
- Evidence of financial support between partners
Cohabitation Evidence
- Lease or mortgage agreements in both names
- Joint utility bills showing shared address
- Mail addressed to both partners at the same address
- Shared responsibility for household expenses
- Proof of living arrangements if not cohabitating
Social Recognition
- Wedding photos and ceremony documentation
- Photos together at family events, holidays, vacations
- Travel documentation showing trips together
- Letters from friends and family attesting to the relationship
- Joint participation in social, cultural, or religious activities
Legal Documents
- Marriage certificate for spouses
- Statutory declarations of common-law relationship
- Birth certificates of children together
- Previous immigration documents showing relationship history
Common-Law Relationship Evidence
For common-law relationships, you must provide evidence of at least 12 months of continuous cohabitation in a conjugal relationship. This includes proof of living together at the same address for 12 consecutive months plus evidence demonstrating the nature of your relationship during that period.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
The program remains closed as the government works to address existing application backlogs. No new applications are being accepted at this time.
Alternative: Super Visa
The super visa remains the primary option for bringing parents and grandparents to Canada in 2026. The super visa is a multiple-entry visa allowing parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry without renewing status. The visa itself can be valid for up to seven years.
For detailed information about super visa requirements, medical insurance, and application procedures, please see our Visitor Visa and Super Visa Services page.
When Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Reopens
If the Parents and Grandparents Program reopens for future intakes, sponsors must meet significant requirements including minimum income thresholds substantially higher than spousal sponsorship and a 20-year financial undertaking commitment.
How YCI Canada Helps
Assessment and Strategy
We evaluate your eligibility as a sponsor and assess your spouse or partner's eligibility, including reviewing your status in Canada and verifying you do not fall under any prohibitions. We determine whether Inside Canada or Outside Canada sponsorship better suits your circumstances based on location, travel needs, work authorization requirements, and processing timelines. For couples with complex situations such as previous sponsorships, age differences, or limited cohabitation, we develop strategic approaches addressing potential concerns proactively.
Preparation and Review
Our detailed review ensures your application presents the strongest possible case for relationship genuineness by assessing evidence across all required categories and identifying gaps requiring additional documentation. We organize materials to present a cohesive narrative demonstrating your relationship development, commitment, and plans together in Canada. We verify all identity documents, police certificates, and medical examinations meet specifications and address any inadmissibility concerns proactively.
Application Management
We manage the complete process from submission through approval, including accurate completion of sponsorship and permanent residence forms, compilation of comprehensive relationship evidence packages, and submission through the Permanent Residence Portal. Throughout processing, we monitor application status closely and respond promptly to IRCC requests maintaining momentum toward approval. For Inside Canada applications, we track decision in principle notifications and coordinate open work permit issuance (if opted for), providing regular updates through each stage.
Family Class Fee Structure
All fees are discussed and confirmed in writing before we begin work on your file. You will receive a comprehensive service agreement outlining the exact scope of services, fees, payment schedule, and any potential additional costs. Below fees do not include IRCC fees and applicable taxes. There are no hidden charges.
File Review
From $150
Professional Representation
Family Class Pro
$3999
Dependent Spouse: $600
Each Dependent Child: $150
Please note, we may quote a higher fee for highly complex cases, such as military background, inadmissibility concerns, multiple refusals etcetera and where provincial nominee part is applicable. Dependent spouse applices in case for parents/grandparents sponsorships.
* if all complexities were declared to us beforehand and were factored in our fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to be legally married?
No. You can sponsor a common-law partner if you have lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship. You must provide evidence of cohabitation and the conjugal nature of your relationship.
Can I sponsor my partner if we have never lived together?
This is only possible through conjugal partner sponsorship, which requires demonstrating that legal or immigration barriers prevented you from marrying or living together despite a committed relationship of at least 12 months. Conjugal partner sponsorship is limited to exceptional circumstances and can only be processed through Outside Canada sponsorship.
Do I need a certain income to sponsor my spouse?
In most cases, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or partner without dependent children. However, you must demonstrate ability to support your partner's basic necessities without relying on social assistance.
What happens if we separate or divorce after applying?
If you separate or divorce after submitting the application but before your partner becomes a permanent resident, the sponsorship may be refused or withdrawn. If your partner becomes a permanent resident and you later separate or divorce, your three-year financial undertaking continues and must be fulfilled.
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