Family Sponsorship

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is meant by the "locked-in" date?

  A locked-in date is the date on which the Canadian Immigration Visa Office receives completed application forms and proper payment of the processing fees. The Federal Court of Canada has determined the locked-in date to be the date on which certain selection factors must be assessed.

• Who can I include on my Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa?

  You can include your spouse and your dependent children on your application. For the purposes of you application, a dependent child is defined as a child less than 19 years of age who is not married or in a common-law relationship, or a child over the age of 19 who is currently enrolled in an education institution and is financially dependent on you. It is important to keep in mind that Canada recognizes same-sex partnerships.

• What if my relationship status changes or I have children while my application is in process or after my Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa has been issued?

  You must keep the Canadian Immigration Visa Office informed of any changes in your family composition while your application is in process. You must add your spouse or child to your application for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa so that they can accompany you to Canada. If your family composition changes after your Visa is issued, you must advise Citizenship and Immigration Canada to add a spouse or child to your application, provided you have not yet landed in Canada.

• How much money do I need to sponsor a family member in Canada?

  The income required will vary depending on the type of sponsorship you undertake and the number of family members you already have in your care. You will be required to sign a promise to provide for the basic needs of the family member you are sponsoring.
  
  Some sponsorship options will also require you to demonstrate that you have a minimum income in order to be eligible to sponsor. This is for instance the case with the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program.
  
  You must exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for each of the past 3 taxation years before the date that you submit your application. Your MNI is assessed based on your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment.

• What does “basic needs” mean?

  The sponsor must undertake to provide the sponsored family members with: food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities of life dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The obligation to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s) will only arise if the sponsored person(s) are unable to provide for these needs on their own. For an accompanying spouse to be considered eligible for an open work permit, the study permit holder must be enrolled full-time at a degree-granting post-secondary institution. Eligible post-secondary institutions include:
  
  • public post-secondary institution, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec.
  
  • private college-level school in Quebec; and
  
  • Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law.
  
  Learn more about how international students can bring their family to Canada.

• Can the undertaking be revoked or modified?

  The undertaking, once made, cannot be cancelled or modified by the sponsor at any time after the Sponsored family members have arrived in Canada.

• What if the sponsor does not fulfill the terms of the undertaking?

  Failure to meet any of the commitments provided for in the undertaking may result in legal action being taken against the sponsor and the co-signer.

• Can I sponsor my same-sex partner?

  Yes. Your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner can be of either sex.

• Can I sponsor my spouse or partner if I don’t have a job?

  In most cases, you will not have to submit proof of income when sponsoring your spouse for immigration to Canada. However, an immigration officer may ask you to attend an interview and ask how you will support yourself and your spouse.