Family Sponsorship in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be able to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence in Canada.

Anyvisa’s Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) assist with family sponsorship applications, eligibility reviews, supporting evidence, relationship documentation, application preparation and representation before Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

There are two different processes for sponsoring your family under the Family Class. One process is used for sponsoring your spouse, conjugal or common-law partner and/or dependent children. Another process is used to sponsor eligible relatives, such as parents, grandparents, siblings and other extended family members.

Who Can You Sponsor?

Depending on your circumstances and the applicable immigration program, family sponsorship may be available for:

a spouse;
a common-law partner;
a conjugal partner;
dependent children;
adopted children;
certain other eligible relatives in limited circumstances.

Eligibility requirements differ depending on the relationship, the sponsor’s status in Canada and the circumstances of the person being sponsored.

Who Can You Sponsor?

Depending on your circumstances and the applicable immigration program, family sponsorship may be available for:

a spouse;
a common-law partner;
a conjugal partner;
dependent children;
adopted children;
certain other eligible relatives in limited circumstances.

Eligibility requirements differ depending on the relationship, the sponsor’s status in Canada and the circumstances of the person being sponsored.

Sponsoring Other Eligible Relatives

Canadian family sponsorship is not available for every relative. In specific circumstances, it may be possible to sponsor certain relatives, including orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who meet IRCC requirements.

There is also a narrow provision allowing a person to sponsor one other relative of any age or relationship when strict conditions are met, including requirements concerning the sponsor’s other living relatives in Canada and abroad.

Because these cases are highly fact-specific, a thorough eligibility assessment should be completed before submitting an application.

Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship Program – Currently Paused >>>

As of July 15, 2026 IRCC has paused the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. At this time, IRCC is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms and is not issuing new invitations to apply until further notice. Applications that were already submitted continue to be processed.

If you already have a Parents and Grandparents sponsorship application in process, Anyvisa can assist with:

pending application review;
IRCC document requests;
changes in family circumstances;'
procedural issues;
delays and complex cases;
responses to IRCC.

Want Your Parents or Grandparents to Visit Canada and Stay Longer?

A Super Visa is currently one of the most practical options for eligible parents and grandparents, allowing extended stays in Canada and multiple-entry travel for up to 10 years.

For parents-in-law, the relevant Canadian child or grandchild and the family’s circumstances should be reviewed to determine which options are available.

At Anyvisa, we assist with Super Visa applications, eligibility review, supporting documents, financial and insurance requirements, and responses to IRCC where needed.

Sponsor Responsibilities

Family sponsorship creates important financial obligations for the sponsor. A sponsor generally undertakes to provide financial support for the sponsored family member and ensure that they do not need to rely on social assistance during the applicable undertaking period.

A person may also be prevented from sponsoring in certain circumstances, including previous sponsorship defaults, unpaid family support obligations, certain criminal convictions, receipt of some forms of social assistance, imprisonment or other eligibility issues.

Anyvisa can review sponsor eligibility before an application is prepared.

How Anyvisa Can Help

Our Family Sponsorship service may include:

consultation with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant;

sponsor and applicant eligibility review;

review of previous immigration history;

relationship and supporting-document assessment;

preparation and review of IRCC forms;

identification of missing, inconsistent or potentially problematic evidence;

application submission support;

professional representation before IRCC;

assistance with IRCC requests and application updates;

support for complex sponsorship matters;

The exact scope depends on the type and circumstances of the application.

Not Sure Which Family Immigration Option Applies?

Family immigration rules depend on who you want to bring to Canada, your relationship to that person, your immigration status and the current availability of the applicable program.

Book a consultation with an Anyvisa RCIC to review your options before preparing an application.

Free Pre-Assessment Book A Consultation