Family Sponsorship Canada 2025: Reunite with Your Loved Ones
The Family Sponsorship Program is one of Canada’s primary immigration pathways designed to reunite families. Through this program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible relatives—such as spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents—to become permanent residents and settle in Canada.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
- Spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner
- Dependent children (biological or adopted, typically under 22 years old and unmarried)
- Parents and grandparents (subject to special intake and invitations)
- In specific situations, other family members—such as orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, if no other relatives are available
General Eligibility for Sponsors
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act
- Must demonstrate financial stability to support the sponsored person and prevent them from needing social assistance
- Must sign an undertaking to provide financial support to the sponsored individual for a set period
2025 Program Updates
- Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP): In 2025, up to 25,000 applications are being accepted. Invitations are issued to individuals who submitted interest-to-sponsor forms in 2020. No new interest forms are being accepted this year.
- The intake will open on July 28, 2025 and is managed through invitations. Once invited, sponsors must submit a complete application electronically by October 9, 2025.
- If not invited for PGP, the Super Visa remains an option for parents and grandparents to stay in Canada temporarily.
Application Process Overview
- Check your eligibility: Make sure you qualify as a sponsor and that your family member is eligible to be sponsored.
- Gather required documents: Collect supporting documents, including proofs of relationship, identification, and financial status.
- Application submission: For spouses, partners, and children, submit the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together through the IRCC online portal. For parents/grandparents, submit only if you receive an invitation.
- Pay fees: Fees vary by program and relationship (e.g., sponsoring a spouse/partner starts from $1,205; children from $170).
- Processing and decision: IRCC will review, may request biometrics or additional information, and then will issue permanent resident status if approved.
Key Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I sponsor my spouse or child from outside Canada? Canadian citizens can, but must show intent to return. Permanent residents typically must reside in Canada.
- How long is the financial commitment? Ranges from 3 years (spouse/partner) to 20 years (parents/grandparents) and varies by relationship.
- What if I am not selected for PGP? You can consider the Super Visa, which allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with the option to extend.
- Are there exceptions? In rare cases, such as if you have no other living relative, you may be eligible to sponsor another family member.
Why Choose Family Sponsorship?
- It’s the quickest path for eligible relatives to become Canadian permanent residents
- Helps maintain strong family bonds and support networks
- Sponsors play an active role in the integration and success of their loved ones in Canada
