Family reunification is one of the pillars of Canada's immigration system. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain close family members for permanent residence. In doing so, the sponsor signs an undertaking — a legally binding promise to support the sponsored person financially for a set period, and to repay the government if that person receives certain social assistance during the undertaking.
Spouse and partner sponsorship
You can sponsor a spouse, a common-law partner (generally, a partner you have lived with continuously for at least one year), or a conjugal partner (a partner you could not live with or marry because of significant barriers). Sponsorship can be done from inside Canada, sometimes with an open work permit for the applicant while the application is processed, or from outside Canada.
The central question in these applications is whether the relationship is genuine and was not entered into primarily to gain status. Officers look closely for evidence of a real relationship, so strong, consistent documentation — communication history, joint finances, photos over time, and proof the couple has been part of each other's lives — makes a meaningful difference. A relationship can be genuine and still be refused if the evidence is thin.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
The Parents and Grandparents Program lets citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and grandparents. Because demand far exceeds the spaces available, IRCC typically runs an "interest to sponsor" intake and then invites a limited number of people, sometimes by a randomised selection, rather than accepting applications on a first-come basis. Sponsors must also meet a minimum income requirement across several recent tax years, proven with notices of assessment.
The Super Visa as an alternative
When the PGP is closed or a sponsor is not selected, the Super Visa offers another route. It is not permanent residence — it is a long-term multiple-entry visitor visa that lets parents and grandparents visit Canada for extended, continuous stays. Applicants must generally meet income requirements and hold valid private medical insurance meeting a set minimum coverage. It reunites families in practice even where permanent sponsorship is not currently available.
Points people often overlook
- The undertaking is binding and lasts for a defined period, regardless of what happens to the relationship afterwards — including a later breakdown of a marriage.
- Income requirements for parents and grandparents are checked over several tax years, so a single strong year may not be enough.
- Processing times, intake methods, and income figures change from year to year.
Takeaway: Sponsorship streams each have their own eligibility rules, undertakings, income tests, and intake limits, and those details change. Confirm current eligibility and processing before relying on a particular timeline or route.
This article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.