If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and at least 18 years old, you may be able to sponsor certain relatives to immigrate under the Family Class. Depending on your circumstances, there are two sponsorship options.
Option 1 – Orphaned close relatives
You can sponsor close relatives, related by blood or adoption, such as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren only if they meet all of the following conditions:
- They are orphaned,
- They are under 18, and
- Do not have a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
Option 2 – Another relative
You may sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age if you meet all of the following conditions:
- you do not have a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or one of the following living relatives you could sponsor instead:
- son or daughter,
- parent,
- grandparent,
- brother or sister,
- uncle, aunt,
- nephew or niece.
- you do not have any of the above-named relatives who is a:
- Canadian citizen,
- permanent resident, or
- registered Indian under the Indian Act.
If the relative you want to sponsor has a spouse, partner, or dependent children who will come with them to Canada you must include them on the same sponsorship application.
To be a sponsor you must:
- meet set income guidelines, and
- agree in writing to give financial support to your relative and any other eligible relatives coming with them for up to 10 years, depending on their age and how you are related. (This time period begins on the date they become a permanent resident.)
If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor after Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves you as a sponsor. For instance, you must sign an “undertaking” with the province—a contract that binds the sponsorship.