Spousal & Family Sponsorship
A complete guide to sponsoring your spouse, partner, or dependent children for Permanent Residency in Canada.
Core Rules & Undertakings
Under the Family Class sponsorship program, a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child to live, work, and stay permanently in Canada.
Undertaking Durations:
| Sponsored Relative | Undertaking Period | Age Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner | 3 Years | 18 years or older |
| Dependent Child | 10 Years | Under 22 years (or until age 25, whichever comes first) |
| Parents & Grandparents | 20 Years | Any age (requires separate draw pool) |
Sponsor Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident living in Canada. *(Citizens living abroad can sponsor spouses if they prove their clear intent to return to Canada once the visa is approved. PRs living abroad cannot sponsor).*
- You must not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- You must not have sponsored a previous spouse within the last 3 years.
- You must not have been sponsored as a spouse yourself within the last 5 years (the 5-year spousal bar rule).
Financial & Income Rules
One of the biggest relief factors for family sponsorship is the income threshold exception.
No Minimum Income Required for Spouses
Under IRCC regulations, there is **no Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)** requirement to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child. You do not need to prove a specific salary or tax return amount to sponsor them.
⚠️ EXCEPTION: You MUST meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) MNI if:
- You are sponsoring a dependent child who has 1 or more dependent children of their own.
- You are sponsoring parents or grandparents (requires meeting LICO plus 30% for the 3 preceding tax years).
Interactive Application Checklist
Sponsor Required Documents & Forms
- Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344)Digitally signed and submitted by the Sponsor on the PR portal.
- Sponsor Evaluation and Status Assessment (IMM 5532)Details sponsor's employment history, relationship details, and residency.
- Proof of Status (Citizen or PR Card)Photocopy of Canadian Passport, Birth Certificate, or valid PR Card (both sides).
- CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA)Option C printout of your most recent tax year to confirm you are not on social assistance.
- Employment Letter & PaystubsConfirms employment status, duration, and salary to demonstrate self-sufficiency.
Sponsorship Overview
In-Land vs. Outland
If your spouse is already inside Canada, you can submit an In-Land Sponsorship. This grants them the right to apply for an Open Work Permit while processing. However, they should avoid traveling abroad.
If they are abroad, choose Outland Sponsorship. This allows them to travel, and has a right of appeal if rejected (which In-Land does not).