Spousal-Family Sponsorship

You’ll need to give proof that you could not live together or get married in your conjugal partner’s country (for example, proof of refused long-term stays in each other’s country).

Dependent children

Children qualify as dependents if they meet both of these requirements:

• they’re under 22 years old
• they don’t have a spouse or common law partner

Children 22 years old or older qualify as dependents if they meet both of these requirements:

• they are unable to financially support themselves because of mental or physical condition
• they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22

With the exception of age, your dependent child must continue to meet these requirements until IRCC finish processing your application. If they qualify as a dependent child, you can sponsor

Your own child

• If you’re a Canadian citizen, your child may also be a Canadian citizen, even if they weren’t born in Canada. You can’t sponsor your child for permanent residence if they’re Canadian citizens already. Check if your child is already a Canadian citizen.
• If you’re sponsoring just your child, without sponsoring your spouse or partner, you’ll name your child as the principal applicant in the application. You’ll have to show that the other parent or legal guardian agrees to your child immigrating to Canada. See your checklist for what you’ll need to provide.
• If the child you want to sponsor has a child of their own (your grandchild), you’ll include your grandchild as a dependent in the application.
• If you want to sponsor your adopted child or an orphaned family member, follow the instructions to sponsor your adopted child or orphaned family member instead.

your spouse or partner and their child

• If you’re sponsoring your spouse or partner and a child (either their own child or a child you’ve had together), you’ll name your spouse or partner as the principal applicant and the child as the dependent in the application.
• If the child you want to sponsor has a child of their own, you’ll include the grandchild as a dependent in the application.

Eligibility of the people you’re sponsoring

To show they meet the eligibility requirements, your spouse, partner, dependent child and their dependent children (if applicable) must provide:

• all required forms and documents with their application
• any additional information we request during processing, including medical exams and biometrics.

You can’t sponsor someone who is inadmissible to Canada. This means they’re not allowed to come to Canada.