Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship

Sponsorship eligibility

You can become a sponsor if you meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
• Reside in Canada.
• Sign a commitment to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person.
• Sign an agreement with the sponsored person to confirm that you understand each other's responsibilities.
• Prove that you have sufficient income to support your family and the people you are sponsoring. You may also have a co-signer (spouse or common-law partner).

Frequently asked questions :

If I receive welfare benefits, can I become a sponsor?

No, you can't sponsor if you're receiving social assistance, unless it's disability-related.

Can I sponsor if I have a criminal conviction?

This depends on the type and seriousness of the offence. Certain offences may prevent you from being eligible for sponsorship.

You cannot become a sponsor if you are in one of the following situations:

• You are in arrears of support payments.
• You are not released from bankruptcy.
• You are under a removal order or detained in a penal institution.

If you live in Quebec, you must meet the requirements of both levels of government (federal and provincial). Quebec recently announced a cap on family sponsorship of 2,600 applications from parents and grandparents between June 26, 2024 and June 25, 2026.

Sponsor's obligations

As a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking that represents a promise to provide financial support to sponsored family members. This support must cover basic needs, such as :

• Food, lodging, clothing, accommodation.
• Health care not covered by the public system, such as dental and eye care.

Your responsibility is to ensure that the sponsored persons do not apply for social assistance. The commitment lasts 20 years for parents and grandparents of residents outside Quebec, and 10 years for those residing in Quebec.

Frequently asked questions :

If my financial situation changes, do I have to cancel my commitment?

No, the commitment remains in effect even if your financial situation deteriorates, a divorce occurs or you move to another province.

Who can you sponsor?

You can sponsor :

• Your parents (biological or adoptive) and their dependents.
• Your grandparents (biological or adoptive) and their dependents.

In the case of divorced parents, each parent must be sponsored separately. Dependent children must be under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship. If a child is over 22, he or she may still be sponsored if :

• He was financially dependent on his parents before he turned 22.
• He is unable to support himself due to a physical or mental condition.

Can I sponsor my divorced parent with his or her new spouse?

No, you must sponsor each parent on a separate application.

Income requirements

The minimum income required depends on the number of dependents in your household. You must demonstrate that you have sufficient income to cover the basic needs of your family and sponsored persons. You must prove your income for the three years preceding the application.

The amounts required for 2024 are as follows:

• 2 persons : $44,530
• 3 persons : $54,743
• 4 persons : $66,466
• 5 persons : $75,384
• 6 persons : $85,020
• 7 persons : $94,658

Are the income amounts different if I live in Quebec?

Yes, income requirements vary for Quebec residents. See details in the section below.

Income requirements for Quebec residents

Quebec residents must meet the income requirements specified by the Quebec Ministry of Immigration. For example, to support your own family, here are the amounts required in 2024:

• 1 member  : $28,242
• 2 members : $38,124
• 3 members : $47,068
• 4 members : $54,135
• 5 members : $60,250
• Each additional member : $6,115

Amounts for sponsored persons also vary according to age and status. For example, for a sponsored person under 18, you must prove an additional income of $9,776.

Application process

To start a sponsorship application, you must first submit an online interest form. This form requires basic information, such as your name, address and family details. You'll also need to provide a digital copy of your ID.

If you are invited to submit an application, you will need to submit two separate applications:

• 1. Application to become a sponsor.
• 2. Application for permanent residence for the sponsored person.

Both applications must be submitted simultaneously online. If you live in Quebec, you will have to follow additional steps by submitting a federal application first, then a provincial application for the Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ).

Medical Examination and Biometrics Requirements

Sponsored persons will be required to undergo a medical examination by a physician certified by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Depending on their situation, they may also be required to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a photograph.

Processing fees

The fees for sponsoring a parent or grandparent are as follows:

• Parent or grandparent sponsorship: $1,205
• 85 $ for sponsorship fees
• 545 $ for processing costs
• 575 $ for the right of permanent residence
• Spouse of your parent or grandparent : 1 210 $
• Dependent child : 175 $

Quebec residents must also pay the fee for the Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is $319 for the principal sponsored person and $128 for each additional person.

Processing times

There is no target service standard for processing parent and grandparent sponsorship applications. Processing times may vary, but you can view current average processing times on the IRCC website, by selecting “Sponsor a family member” then “Parent or grandparent”.