Family Class Sponsorship Program
The Family Class Sponsorship Program is designed to help Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Registered Indians reunite with their close family members in Canada.
In simple terms, if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Registered Indian, you may sponsor eligible family members to come and live in Canada. This includes your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children.
Who Can Immigrate Under the Family Sponsorship Class (2025)?
The following family members may be sponsored under this program:
Family Reunification in Canada
Canada strongly supports family reunification as a cornerstone of its immigration system. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the opportunity to bring their loved ones to Canada through various family sponsorship programs. These pathways are designed to help families stay together and build a better future in Canada.
Who Can Sponsor a Family Member?
You may be eligible to act as a sponsor under the Family Sponsorship Program if you meet all of the following conditions:
Who Can Be Sponsored Under the Family Class?
The Family Class Sponsorship Program allows you to sponsor the following eligible family members:
Family Sponsorship Quota for 2025–2027
On October 24, 2024, the Government of Canada released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, outlining the projected intake for family sponsorship applications over the next three years.
| Immigrant Category | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouses, Partners and Children | 70,000 | 66,500 | 61,000 |
| Parents and Grandparents | 24,500 | 21,500 | 20,000 |
Source: Government of Canada: 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan
Family Sponsorship Applications: Processing Timelines
The processing time for family sponsorship applications generally depends on the category:
Spousal Sponsorship
Parents or Grandparents Sponsorship
These timelines include:
For the most accurate and up-to-date processing times, applicants are encouraged to refer to the official government link.
Your Responsibilities as a Sponsor
Sponsoring a family member in Canada comes with important legal responsibilities. The sponsor, who must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, is required to sign an undertaking agreement with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This agreement confirms the sponsor’s commitment to support the sponsored family member for a specific period after they obtain permanent residence. As a sponsor, you are responsible for meeting the basic needs of the person you sponsor, including food, clothing, and healthcare expenses not covered by public health services. If the sponsored person receives any government social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor is obligated to repay those amounts.
Duration of Sponsorship Obligation (Undertaking)
The length of the sponsorship undertaking depends on the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored individual. The undertaking remains valid and cannot be cancelled, even if:
| Who Is Being Sponsored | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spouse, Common-law or Conjugal Partner | 3 years |
| Children over 22 years of age | 3 years |
| Children under 22 years of age | 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Parents or Grandparents | 20 years |
| Other Eligible Relatives | 10 years |
Withdrawing a Sponsorship Undertaking
Once the sponsored person has become a permanent resident, the sponsorship undertaking cannot be cancelled. However, a sponsor may withdraw the sponsorship application before it is finalized. After permanent residence is granted, withdrawal is no longer possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
