Licensed Canadian immigration guidance

Family Sponsorship

Spousal, parent/grandparent, and dependent-child sponsorship each carry different eligibility rules, but every stream is ultimately assessed on whether the relationship is genuine and the sponsor can meet the financial undertaking required.

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What this service covers

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Talk through your file
  1. 01
    Sponsorship Routes

    Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.

  2. 02
    Sponsor Requirements

    Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.

  3. 03
    Frequently Asked Questions

    Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.

  4. 04
    Related Pages

    Open this section for the practical detail, evidence and requirements that shape the pathway.

Your service guide

The details that move the file forward

Review the complete guide below, then use the consultation path when your situation needs a tailored strategy.

Spousal, parent/grandparent, and dependent-child sponsorship each carry different eligibility rules, but every stream is ultimately assessed on whether the relationship is genuine and the sponsor can meet the financial undertaking required.

Key figures at a glance

Source sequence preserved
2Spousal routes: inland/outland
AnnualPGP lottery window
LICO+30%PGP income threshold
3yrs Income years assessed

Sponsorship Routes

Technical reference

Technical reference

Eligibility and pathway detail

Official data
RouteWho it's forKey feature
Spousal / partner — inlandPartner already in CanadaAllows an open work permit while processing
Spousal / partner — outlandPartner applying from abroadCan process faster in some circumstances
Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP)Sponsoring parents/grandparents for PRAnnual interest-to-sponsor lottery
Dependent childrenSponsoring children under applicable age/dependency rulesOften paired with a parent's own PR/citizenship application
Presented in the supplied source sequenceReviewed 2026
Couple walking together in a Canadian city
Move togetherFamily pathways work best when the relationship, history and shared plans are presented clearly.

Sponsor Requirements

Application timeline

Application timeline

Sequence and requirements

Official data
RequirementWhat's assessed
Sponsor statusCanadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 or older
UndertakingFinancial responsibility for the sponsored person for a set period
Income (PGP only)Minimum necessary income at LICO +30% across the most recent 3 tax years
Prior defaultsOutstanding sponsorship debts can affect eligibility to sponsor again
Relationship evidenceCommunication history, shared finances, photos, third-party statements
Presented in the supplied source sequenceReviewed 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between inland and outland sponsorship?

Inland applications are for couples where the partner is already in Canada, and allow an open work permit during processing. Outland applications are filed while the partner is abroad and can, in some cases, process faster — the right choice depends on the couple's specific circumstances.

What triggers a genuineness refusal?

Officers look for consistency across the relationship timeline and credible, well-documented shared-life evidence. Thin documentation or inconsistent details are common triggers, but not automatic disqualifiers if addressed with a strong evidence package.

How does the PGP lottery work?

Interested sponsors submit an interest-to-sponsor form during an annual intake window. IRCC randomly selects a limited number of sponsors, who are then invited to submit a full application — selection is not approval.

Family spending time together at home
Keep the family closeA family application should make the relationship, history and intended next step easy to understand.

Related Pages

CTA: Book a Free Consultation to build your relationship evidence file correctly, once.

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