When I immigrated to Canada from Costa Rica in 2005, I experienced firsthand the joy and challenges of reuniting with family. For nearly 20 years, I've helped other families navigate this same journey. Here's what you need to know about family sponsorship.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor:
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children (under 22 years old)
- Parents and grandparents
- Other relatives (in specific circumstances)
Sponsoring Your Spouse or Partner
This is the most common sponsorship category. You can sponsor your:
- Legally married spouse
- Common-law partner (living together for 12+ months)
- Conjugal partner (in exceptional circumstances)
Processing times: Currently 12-15 months for applications submitted from within Canada.
Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) opens annually with limited spaces. Alternatives include:
- Super Visa - Multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years, allowing stays of up to 5 years at a time
- Regular visitor visa - For shorter visits
Tip: The Super Visa is often faster and provides extended visit periods while you wait for PGP opportunities.
Sponsor Requirements
To sponsor family members, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Live in Canada (for most sponsorships)
- Sign an undertaking to financially support your family member
- Meet income requirements (for parents/grandparents)
- Not be in default on previous sponsorship undertakings
The Undertaking
When you sponsor someone, you commit to supporting them financially for:
- Spouses/partners: 3 years from the date they become permanent residents
- Parents/grandparents: 20 years
This is a legal obligation that continues even if your relationship ends.
What I've Learned Helping Families
After helping hundreds of families reunite, I've learned that:
- Documentation matters - Complete, organized applications process faster
- Honesty is essential - Disclose everything, even difficult information
- Patience is necessary - The process takes time, but the outcome is worth it
- Support helps - Having guidance through the process reduces stress
A Personal Note
I understand the emotional weight of family separation. Every application I help with represents a family waiting to be reunited.
At Gurdian Immigration Solutions, we treat your application with the care and attention your family deserves.
Ready to bring your family to Canada? Let's start the conversation.
