Family Sponsorship Canada
Canada plans 84,000 family class admissions in 2026, including 69,000 spouses, partners and children. Sponsorship is the most personal work we do and the least forgiving of a thin application — these files are decided on whether an officer believes the relationship, not on whether the forms are complete.
Spouses and partners
- ● There is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child. The one exception is where the person you are sponsoring has a dependent child who themselves has a dependent child.
- ● The undertaking is 3 years for a spouse or partner.
- ● Total government fees: $1,260 — $90 sponsorship, $570 processing and the $600 right of permanent residence fee. Fees rose on 30 April 2026.
- ● Processing at the time of writing: around 17 months outland and 27 months inland for applications outside Quebec.
- ● An inland applicant can normally apply for an open work permit alongside the sponsorship.
Dependent children
- ● A dependent child is under 22 and without a spouse or partner. Age is locked in at the date the application is received, so turning 22 during processing does not disqualify — but acquiring a spouse or partner does, at any point.
- ● Over 22 qualifies only where the child has depended on the parents financially since before 22 because of a mental or physical condition.
- ● The undertaking is 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first, for children sponsored under 22.
- ● Fee: $180 per child, with no right of permanent residence fee.
Parents and grandparents — intake is paused
IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents intake on 15 July 2026. It is not accepting interest-to-sponsor forms and is not issuing invitations until further notice. There was no new intake in 2025 either — IRCC invited only from the pool of forms submitted in 2020, issuing 17,860 invitations against a target of 10,000 complete applications.
Applications already submitted continue to be processed, at around 29 months. If sponsorship reopens, the income requirement is a three-year test — you must meet the minimum necessary income for your family size in each of the three tax years before applying, and a spouse or partner can co-sign to combine incomes.
With intake closed, the super visa is the practical route for having parents here for extended periods — up to five years per entry, on a visa valid up to ten years.
Who can sponsor
- ● 18 or over, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, and living in Canada.
- ● A Canadian citizen living abroad may sponsor a spouse, partner or child if they can show they will live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. This does not extend to permanent residents.
- ● You cannot sponsor if you are receiving social assistance other than for a disability, or are in default on an immigration loan, performance bond or court-ordered support.
Where these applications fail
Genuineness. Spousal applications are refused on findings that the relationship was entered into primarily for immigration purposes, or is not genuine — and those findings usually rest on gaps in the evidence rather than anything sinister. Short courtships, large age or background differences, limited shared documentation and thin communication records all attract scrutiny, and all can be addressed properly if they are addressed deliberately.
Our RCIC holds the IRB designation, which means sponsorship appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division are handled here rather than referred out. That matters if a refusal has already happened.
Spouse or common-law partner
12+ months continuous cohabitation for common-law
Conjugal partner
When you cannot live together due to exceptional circumstances
Dependent children
Under 22 and unmarried (or 22+ if dependent due to disability)
Parents and grandparents
Subject to PGP intake or interest-to-sponsor invitation
Adopted children
Including children to be adopted in Canada
Orphaned relatives
Siblings, nephews, nieces, grandchildren under 18, unmarried
Outland Sponsorship
Spouse outside Canada (or choosing outland processing). Processed by IRCC visa offices abroad.
- ✓ Right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD)
- ✓ Typically faster overall
- ✗ No automatic open work permit for sponsored spouse
Inland Sponsorship
Spouse already inside Canada with legal status. Processed in Canada.
- ✓ Open Work Permit (SOWP) available almost immediately
- ✗ No right of appeal (only Federal Court judicial review)
- ✗ Sponsored spouse should not leave Canada during processing
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an appointment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse?
No. There is no minimum necessary income requirement for sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child. The only exception is where the person you sponsor has a dependent child who themselves has a dependent child. The income test that people are thinking of applies to parents and grandparents.
How long does spousal sponsorship take?
Around 17 months for an outland application and 27 months for an inland application, outside Quebec, at the time of writing. Quebec-destined applications take considerably longer. An inland applicant can usually apply for an open work permit at the same time, which makes the wait more workable.
Can I sponsor my parents in 2026?
Not at the moment. IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents intake on 15 July 2026, and there was no new intake in 2025 either — only invitations from the 2020 pool. Applications already in the queue continue to be processed. For now, the super visa is the route for having parents in Canada long term.
What does spousal sponsorship cost?
$1,260 in government fees: $90 for the sponsorship application, $570 for processing, and $600 for the right of permanent residence. Add $180 per accompanying dependent child and $85 per person for biometrics. These figures rose on 30 April 2026.
My spousal application was refused. What now?
There is usually a right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division, and the deadline is short. Our RCIC holds the IRB designation, so we can represent you at the Board directly rather than referring you elsewhere. Bring the refusal letter and the full application — the reasons matter, and so does what was originally filed.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
Waymark runs on the Nova System platform — built in Abbotsford, BC by practising RCICs.