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    Canada

    Canada Family Sponsorship: Sponsor Your Spouse, Children & Parents

    7 min readFebruary 15, 2026
    Quick Answer

    Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, and parents/grandparents for PR. Spousal sponsorship takes 12 months, parent sponsorship 20-24 months. Sponsors must meet income requirements and sign a financial undertaking for 3-20 years depending on the relationship.

    Table of Contents▼

    Canada's Family Sponsorship program allows permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their close family members for permanent residency. This program reflects Canada's commitment to family reunification.

    Who Can You Sponsor?

    Spouse/Common-Law Partner

  1. • Legally married spouse
  2. • Common-law partner (1+ year cohabitation)
  3. • Conjugal partner (in exceptional circumstances)

    4. Dependent Children

  4. • Under 22 years of age
  5. • Not married or in a common-law relationship
  6. • Biological or adopted children

    7. Parents and Grandparents

  7. • Through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
  8. • Limited spots available annually
  9. • Super Visa as alternative (10-year multiple entry)

    10. 📋 Ready to start your immigration journey?

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    To sponsor family members, you must:

  10. • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  11. • Be 18 years or older
  12. • Live in Canada (citizens abroad may qualify)
  13. • Meet minimum income requirements (for parents/grandparents)
  14. • Sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored person

    15. Processing Times

    CategoryProcessing Time

    |----------|----------------|

    Spouse (inland)12-15 months
    Spouse (outland)12 months
    Children12 months
    Parents/Grandparents20-24 months

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    Required Documents

  15. ☐ Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, photos, communication records)
  16. ☐ Sponsor's income tax assessments
  17. ☐ Identity documents for all parties
  18. ☐ Medical exams
  19. ☐ Police clearance certificates
  20. ☐ Proof of sponsor's status in Canada

    21. Super Visa Alternative

    If PGP spots are filled, the Super Visa allows parents/grandparents to:

  21. • Stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit
  22. • Valid for up to 10 years
  23. • Requires private medical insurance
  24. • Faster processing than PGP

    25. Reunite your family in Canada — contact Garg Brothers for expert sponsorship guidance.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?+
    Spousal sponsorship takes approximately 12 months for outland applications. Inland applications (spouse already in Canada) take 12-15 months but may include an open work permit while processing. Garg Brothers helps expedite the process with complete documentation.
    Can I sponsor my parents for Canada PR?+
    Yes. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) opens annually with limited spots. You must meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for 3 consecutive tax years. Processing takes 20-24 months. Alternatively, a Super Visa grants parents 5-year multiple-entry visits.
    What income do I need to sponsor family to Canada?+
    For spousal sponsorship, there's no minimum income requirement (except in Quebec). For parent/grandparent sponsorship, you must meet MNI for 3 years — approximately CAD 43,000+ for a family of 2, increasing with family size.
    Can a permanent resident sponsor family in Canada?+
    Yes. Both Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children. For parent/grandparent sponsorship, you must have filed Canadian taxes for at least 3 years.
    What if my sponsorship application is refused?+
    Common refusal reasons include insufficient income, relationship genuineness concerns, or incomplete documentation. You can appeal through the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within 30 days. Garg Brothers helps prepare strong initial applications to avoid refusals.

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