Canada Family Class Sponsorship - Requirements

In addition to being a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident, the Sponsor must meet certain requirements for Family Class Immigration Sponsorship:

• The Sponsor must demonstrate the financial ability to provide the Family Sponsorship Immigrant and dependents with their essential needs (should they be unable to provide for themselves):
  • Food, clothing, shelter and other basic requirements of everyday living; and
  • Dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to all Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents.

• The Sponsor must be willing to enter into an agreement with:
  • The Government of Canada or Quebec, whereby he or she agrees to provide the above essential needs for a prescribed period of time; and
  • The Sponsored relative (if over 22 years of age and not elderly), whereby the Sponsor promises to support the Sponsored person(s) for a prescribed period of time, and the Sponsored person(s) promises to make every effort to become self-supporting.

• The Sponsor must have either:
  • Physical residency in Canada; or
  • For Canadian citizens sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child, a demonstrated intention to reside in Canada by the time the Sponsored family member lands in Canada as a permanent resident.

• In addition, the Sponsor must be: at least 18 years old; not in prison; not bankrupt; not under a removal order if a permanent resident; and not charged with a serious offenc