Family Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members to come to Canada and obtain permanent residence. Reuniting families is one of Canada's core immigration values.
Who Is This For?
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 years of age or older
- You live in Canada (citizens abroad may sponsor spouses/children under certain conditions)
- You meet the minimum necessary income (LICO) to support your sponsored family member
- You are not in receipt of social assistance (except for disability)
- You have not been convicted of certain offences and are not in default of previous undertakings
- The person you wish to sponsor is a qualifying family member (spouse/partner, dependent child, parent, grandparent)
How It Works
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet IRCC's eligibility criteria. We assess your situation before you apply.
- 2
Submit the sponsorship application
File the sponsorship application with IRCC. For spouses, this can often be processed simultaneously with the PR application.
- 3
Sponsored person submits PR application
Your family member submits their permanent residence application including identity documents, medical exam, and police clearances.
- 4
IRCC processes both applications
IRCC reviews and links both files. Spouses may receive an open work permit (OWP) while waiting.
- 5
Medical and background checks
The sponsored person completes a medical exam with an IRCC-designated physician and obtains police clearances from all countries of residence.
- 6
Receive PR approval
Once approved, your family member receives their Confirmation of Permanent Residence and can land in Canada.
Why ITC iLand for This Program?
Family reunification is among the most personal immigration applications we handle. ITC iLand has reunited hundreds of families across spouse sponsorships, parent super visas, and dependent child applications — part of over 10,000 total cases we've managed since 1998. Our RCICs know that these applications require precision and care in equal measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spousal and common-law partner sponsorship typically takes 12 months for applications submitted outside Canada. If your spouse is already in Canada with valid status, inland applications can take similar or slightly longer. ITC iLand monitors current IRCC processing times.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor. PRs can sponsor parents and grandparents. However, you must meet the minimum income threshold (LICO + 30%) for at least three consecutive years prior to application.
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa allowing parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit (valid for 10 years). It is faster than the sponsorship process but does not grant PR. Many families use it as a bridge while waiting for the Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) lottery.
You can only sponsor adult children (18+) in very limited circumstances. Siblings can only be sponsored if both parents are deceased and the sibling is under 18. The family class is focused on spouses, dependent children, and parents/grandparents.
Yes, but you must wait 3 years after a previous spousal sponsorship is completed before sponsoring a new partner. This rule prevents misuse of the sponsorship program.
After You Land — We Stay With You
SIN, banking, housing, school enrollment and citizenship countdown — ITC iLand stays with you.
There is Always A Way