Family Reunification
Family Sponsorship
Prepare a family sponsorship application around the relationship and the evidence
CanLink assists with spouse, partner and dependent-child sponsorship, evaluates other family-class options, and confirms the current status of parent and grandparent intake.
Information reviewed September 9, 2026
Understanding the pathway
Family sponsorship can allow an eligible Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act to sponsor qualifying family members for permanent residence. The sponsor and applicant each have separate legal and documentary requirements.
For spouse and partner cases, a marriage certificate or shared address alone is not the full application. IRCC assesses the legal category, the genuineness of the relationship, the sponsor’s eligibility, the applicant’s admissibility and whether all family members were properly declared and examined.
Who It May Suit
Applications we assess
Case Assessment
What CanLink assesses
Sponsor eligibility
Age, status, residence, prior undertakings, defaults, social assistance and other restrictions may apply.
Correct relationship category
Marriage, common-law and conjugal cases have different legal and evidentiary requirements.
Relationship evidence
A coherent record may include communication, visits, cohabitation, finances, family involvement and future plans.
Family composition
Children, former relationships and non-accompanying family members must be disclosed and addressed correctly.
Status and work authorization
In-Canada applicants may need a coordinated plan for valid status and any available open-work-permit route.
Admissibility and procedure
Medical, criminal, misrepresentation, custody, interview and procedural-fairness issues require careful review.
Current Framework
Current family-reunification pathways
The correct route depends on the relationship, location, status and current intake rules.
Spouse or partner
Open for eligible spouses, common-law partners and conjugal partners, with inland and family-class procedural options.
Dependent children
Available where the child meets the current dependency definition and custody or consent issues are resolved.
Parents and grandparents
IRCC has paused new interest-to-sponsor forms and invitations until further notice while existing applications continue.
Other relatives
Only narrow statutory categories are available; a family relationship by itself does not create sponsorship eligibility.
How CanLink Helps
A structured path from assessment to submission
Classify
Confirm the sponsorship category, filing route, family composition and status considerations.
Document
Build organized evidence for sponsor eligibility, relationship history and the applicant’s background.
Submit
Prepare the sponsorship and permanent-residence applications together through the required portal.
Respond
Manage updates, additional-document requests, interviews or procedural concerns during processing.
Policy Update
Current program position
Spouse, partner and dependent-child sponsorship is open. The Parents and Grandparents Program is paused to new interest forms and invitations until further notice, although IRCC continues processing existing applications. Eligible parents and grandparents may be able to consider a Super Visa as a temporary-residence alternative.
Last reviewed September 9, 2026. Programs, intake and procedures can change without notice.Frequently Asked Questions
Questions to clarify before filing
Is there an income requirement to sponsor a spouse?
In most spouse, partner and dependent-child cases there is no set minimum income, but the sponsor still signs an undertaking. Income rules apply in certain dependent-child situations.
Can a permanent resident sponsor while living outside Canada?
No. A permanent resident must live in Canada to sponsor. A Canadian citizen abroad may qualify if they show a genuine plan to return when the family member becomes a permanent resident.
Can an in-Canada spouse apply for an open work permit?
An open work permit may be available in eligible in-Canada cases, but the timing and status requirements should be reviewed before filing.
Can I submit a parent sponsorship now?
Not as a new applicant. IRCC has paused new interest forms and invitations until further notice.
Official Sources
Verify the current government instructions
CanLink reviews the rules applicable to the client’s facts and filing date. Use these government pages for the latest public program information.
Discuss your family sponsorship strategy
Book a consultation to review your circumstances, identify the correct pathway and understand the evidence required before you proceed.