How long is the Sponsorship Undertaking commitment?

The sponsorship undertaking is a legally binding contract. It lasts 3 years for a spouse or common-law partner, 10 years (or until age 22) for a dependent child, and 20 years for parents and grandparents.

Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents to Canada?

Yes, through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). However, PGP operates on a lottery/invitation system managed by IRCC, requiring sponsors to meet strict Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) criteria for three consecutive tax years. Alternatively, parents can apply for the Canada Super Visa.

What happens if we break up after my spouse receives Permanent Residence?

The sponsor remains legally responsible for the 3-year sponsorship undertaking from the date PR status is granted, meaning if the sponsored ex-spouse receives social assistance during that period, the sponsor must repay the Canadian government.

CACanada · Permanent Residence

Canada Family Sponsorship

Sponsor your spouse, partner, dependent children, or parents for Canadian Permanent Residence. Complete guide to IRCC sponsorship undertaking, eligibility, and relationship proof.

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Processing time

10-14 months

Overview

Canada Family Sponsorship is a cornerstone immigration program managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that enables Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents to sponsor eligible family members for Permanent Residence (PR). The program covers Spouses, Common-Law Partners, Conjugal Partners, Dependent Children, and Parents & Grandparents (via the PGP lottery intake). Sponsors must sign a legally binding Undertaking Agreement committing to financially support the sponsored family member and ensure they do not rely on social assistance.

Key benefits

Reunite with your spouse, partner, dependent children, or parents permanently in Canada.

Sponsored family members receive full Canadian Permanent Resident (PR) status upon arrival or approval.

Access universal public healthcare, education, and unrestricted work/study permissions for your sponsored family.

Inland spousal sponsorship applicants may qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) while their PR application is processed.

Fee breakdown

Indicative — confirmed after your free assessment.

Sponsorship Fee (per application)CAD$85

Principal Applicant Processing FeeCAD$545

Right of Permanent Residence Fee - RPRFCAD$575

Dependent Child Fee (per child)CAD$175

Biometrics Fee (individual)CAD$85

GAC Advisors service feePKR — quoted after review*

Visa Validity & Stay

Upon approval, the sponsored family member receives a Permanent Resident Visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Once landed, they become Canadian Permanent Residents indefinitely, subject to fulfilling the 2-year physical residency requirement within every 5-year period.

Eligibility criteria

✓Sponsor must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.

✓Sponsor must currently reside in Canada (or demonstrate clear intent to return if a Canadian citizen living abroad).

✓Sign a legally binding Sponsorship Undertaking (3 years for spouse/partner, 10–20 years for children/parents).

✓Sponsor must not be receiving social assistance (except disability) and must meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for dependent/parent categories.

✓Sponsored person must pass medical examinations, criminal background checks, and meet IRCC admissibility criteria.

Required documents

▸Expression of Interest / profile registration

▸Skills or credential assessment result

▸IELTS/PTE scores at the required band

▸Work experience and reference letters

▸Educational credential assessment

▸Passport, photographs and police clearance certificate

Mandatory Documents

Sponsor Proof of Status: Canadian Passport, Citizenship Certificate, PR Card, or Indian Act registration.
Sponsored Person Passport and national identity documents for all accompanying dependents.
Completed IRCC Sponsorship & PR Application Forms (e.g., IMM 1344, IMM 0008, IMM 5532 for Relationship Information).
Official Marriage Certificate (for legal spouses) or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409).
Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) from every country lived in for 6+ months since age 18.
IRCC Payment Receipts for Sponsorship, PR Processing, and RPRF Fees.

Supporting Documents

Comprehensive Evidence of Genuine Relationship: Wedding photos, joint lease agreements, joint bank statements, utility bills, joint tax filings, travel receipts, chat logs, and call records.
Birth Certificates for dependent children showing both parents’ names.
Sponsor Financial Documents: CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA), employment letters, and pay stubs (mandatory for parent/grandparent sponsorship).
Proof of Canadian Residence for sponsors living in Canada or intent-to-return proof for citizens abroad.
Upfront Medical Examination Tracking Sheet / Medical Confirmation from an IRCC Panel Physician.
Affidavits or support letters from friends and family testifying to the genuine nature of the relationship.

DS-160 Application Guide

Family Sponsorship applications are submitted online through IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal. Sponsors and applicants must complete the digital forms, complete the Relationship Information Form (IMM 5532), merge relationship photo sheets and civil status documents into organized PDFs, and pay all applicable government processing fees online before submitting.

Step-by-step application process

Check Eligibility & Undertaking Rules

Confirm both sponsor and applicant meet IRCC criteria and understand the binding financial undertaking agreement.

Compile Relationship & Civil Proof

Gather civil certificates, police checks, financial records, and build a comprehensive relationship portfolio.

Complete Online IRCC Application

Fill out digital PR forms, sponsorship agreements, and upload scanned document packages on the IRCC PR Portal.

Pay Government Fees

Pay sponsorship, processing, RPRF, and biometrics fees (totaling CAD$1,290+ per adult).

Provide Biometrics & Medical Exam

Upon receiving IRCC instructions, complete fingerprint biometrics and attend a panel physician medical exam.

IRCC Assessment & Background Verification

IRCC assesses sponsor eligibility, relationship genuineness, criminality, and security background.

Approval, COPR & Landing

Receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and complete landing to become a Permanent Resident.

Visa Interview Guidelines

While most family sponsorship applications are processed based on documentary evidence, IRCC may request an interview if officers suspect a "marriage of convenience." In spousal interviews, both partners may be questioned separately to verify personal history, daily living arrangements, family background, and relationship timeline consistency.

Common mistakes to avoid

✕Submitting insufficient relationship evidence, leading officers to suspect a non-genuine relationship or "marriage of convenience".

✕Failing to disclose previous marriages, separations, or dependent children from prior relationships on initial forms.

✕Sponsors applying while receiving social assistance or while in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking.

✕Missing certified English or French translations for official foreign civil documents or chat transcripts.

How we prevent refusals

✓Request ATIP / GCMS officer notes to review the exact officer concerns regarding relationship credibility or sponsor eligibility.

✓For inland/outland spousal refusals, file an appeal with the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within the strict statutory deadline.

✓Re-assemble relationship evidence focusing on shared financial commitments, joint cohabitation proofs, and family integration.

✓Consult an authorized immigration consultant to properly address inadmissibility issues or re-submit a strengthened application.

Important Tips for Applicants

✦Provide a diverse array of relationship evidence spanning your entire relationship history, rather than focusing only on recent months.
✦Ensure all chat logs, call records, and photo captions include clear dates, locations, and English or French certified translations.
✦If applying under Inland Spousal Sponsorship, submit an Open Work Permit application concurrently to allow your spouse to work legally in Canada while waiting for PR.
✦Be completely honest about past relationships, divorces, or military service; misrepresentation leads to a 5-year immigration ban.