Family sponsorship immigration to Canada helps citizens and permanent residents (aged 18+) bring spouses, dependent children, parents and grandparents to Canada to reunite and obtain permanent residence.
The main categories: spousal/partner sponsorship (inside or outside Canada), dependent child sponsorship, and parent/grandparent sponsorship through the PGP (assessed by random invitation draw), or the Super Visa as an alternative.
Family sponsorship categories
Theo IRCC, the sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older and sign a financial sponsorship undertaking. The sponsorship relationship determines the category and process:
Spouse · partner
Inland or outland sponsorship for spouses, common-law and conjugal partners.
Dependent children
Sponsor a dependent child according to IRCC's age and status definitions.
Parents · grandparents
The PGP category is assessed by invitation rounds; the Super Visa is an alternative for long-term stay.
Notes on income & timeline
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) accepts applications by invitation round and requires the sponsor to prove a minimum necessary income (MNI) over recent years. When PGP is not open or no invitation has been received, many families choose Super Visa for parents to stay longer while waiting. M2W advises on the option that fits your situation.
Why choose M2W for Canada family sponsorship
Correctly determine whether it's a spouse, child or parent/grandparent category so you know the process, timeline and requirements from the start.
Guidance on preparing evidence of a genuine relationship for a spousal application — the aspect most often scrutinised.
Analyse the income requirements of the PGP and the Super Visa option to choose the right direction.
Sponsorship conditions and income requirements are taken directly from IRCC, with no promises of a faster timeline than reality.
Frequently asked questions about family sponsorship in Canada
Who can sponsor a relative to Canada?
Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or over who meet the requirements and sign a financial sponsorship undertaking can sponsor a spouse, dependent children, parents and grandparents.
Under which category can you sponsor a spouse to Canada?
Sponsorship can be filed inland or outland for a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, depending on where the applicant currently resides.
How does parent sponsorship to Canada work?
Through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), applications are accepted in invitation rounds and require proof of minimum income. While not yet invited, the Super Visa is an alternative long-stay option.
How does the Super Visa differ from PGP sponsorship?
PGP aims for permanent residence for parents and grandparents but depends on invitation rounds; the Super Visa grants long-term temporary stay (up to 5 years per entry) but requires health insurance and the host’s income conditions.
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Support settling into initial life.
View detailsCanada family sponsorship advisory
M2W identifies the right category and prepares documentation proving the relationship to IRCC standards.
