Canada Family Sponsorship 2026: Rules, Fees and Waits
Family reunification in Canada runs through sponsorship: a citizen or permanent resident applies to bring a spouse, partner or child to Canada as a permanent resident and signs an undertaking to support them. In 2026 the two halves of the system look very different. Sponsoring a spouse, partner or child is open and, in most cases, has no income test. Sponsoring a parent or grandparent is paused. This guide sets out who can sponsor whom, the fees and the current waits, from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child if you are at least 18, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and live in Canada. In most cases there is no income requirement. The fee to sponsor a spouse or partner is $1,260.00, and $180.00 per dependent child. IRCC's estimates are about 18 months for a partner living outside Canada and about 26 months for one living in Canada. The parents and grandparents program is paused; a super visa lets them stay for 5 years at a time.
Who can sponsor
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act.
- You live in Canada. A Canadian citizen living outside Canada must show a plan to live in Canada once the sponsored people become permanent residents. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor.
- You commit to supporting the people you sponsor by signing an undertaking and a sponsorship agreement.
Who you can sponsor
| Relationship | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married to you, at least 18 years old, in a genuine relationship that was not entered into only to get permanent resident status |
| Common-law partner | Not legally married to you, at least 18, and has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship, without any long periods apart |
| Conjugal partner | Lives outside Canada, has been in an exclusive and mutually interdependent relationship with you for at least 1 year, and cannot live with you or marry you for legal, immigration, social, cultural, religious or other reasons |
| Dependent child | Your biological or adopted child, or your partner's, who is under 22 years old with no spouse or common-law partner, or is 22 or older and has depended on parents since before 22 because of a mental or physical condition |
A spouse or partner can be of any gender. Every sponsored person must not be inadmissible to Canada.
The income requirement
In most cases there is no income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child. You need to show enough money only in two situations:
- You are sponsoring a dependent child who has one or more dependent children of their own.
- You are sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child, and that child has one or more dependent children of their own.
The Financial Evaluation Form, IMM 1283, explains how much is needed. Sponsors who live in Quebec must also meet Quebec's requirements and sign an undertaking with the Government of Quebec.
When you may not be eligible to sponsor
| Applies to sponsoring a spouse or partner | Applies to any sponsorship |
|---|---|
| You were sponsored by a spouse or partner and became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago | You are in jail, prison or a penitentiary |
| You signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it has not been 3 years since they became a permanent resident | You are behind on an immigration loan, a performance bond or court-ordered family support payments |
| — | You declared bankruptcy and are not discharged |
| — | You receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability |
| — | You were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm or a sexual offence |
| — | You already applied to sponsor the same person and no decision has been made |
Fees
| Application | Fee in Canadian dollars |
|---|---|
| Sponsor your spouse or partner. Includes the sponsorship fee, the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee | 1,260.00 |
| Sponsor your spouse or partner, without the right of permanent residence fee | 660.00 |
| Include a dependent child | 180.00 per child |
| Sponsor a dependent child on their own | 180.00 per child |
| Sponsor your parent or grandparent | 1,260.00 |
The amounts come from IRCC's fee list, last modified on 21 September 2026.
How long it takes
| Application, outside Quebec | IRCC estimate if you apply today |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner living outside Canada | About 18 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada | About 26 months |
| Parents or grandparents, existing applications | About 28 months |
These figures were last updated on September 3, 2026 and are refreshed monthly. IRCC notes that an application may take longer than the time shown.
Parents and grandparents: paused
IRCC's page for the parents and grandparents program, dated 18 August 2026, shows its status as paused. The department is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting potential sponsors to apply until further notice, and it continues to process existing applications.
The super visa alternative
Parents and grandparents may be eligible for a super visa, which lets them stay in Canada for 5 years at a time. While still in Canada they can also apply for 2-year extensions. The fee for a visitor visa, including a super visa, is $100.00 per person.
How to apply, step by step
- Check that you can sponsor and that your relative qualifies.
- Gather proof of the relationship, using the document checklist for your case.
- Submit the sponsorship and permanent residence applications and pay the fees. Family Class fees can be paid when the sponsor files the sponsorship application.
- Sign the undertaking to support the people you sponsor.
- Wait for the decision and respond to any request from IRCC.
Frequently asked questions
Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?
Your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child. The parents and grandparents program is paused.
Is there an income requirement to sponsor a spouse in Canada?
In most cases, no. You only need to meet an income requirement if a sponsored child, or the child of a sponsored partner, has dependent children of their own.
How much does it cost to sponsor a spouse in Canada?
$1,260.00, which includes the sponsorship fee, the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. Each dependent child is $180.00.
How long does spousal sponsorship take in Canada?
IRCC estimates about 18 months when the partner lives outside Canada and about 26 months when the partner lives in Canada, outside Quebec.
Can I sponsor my parents to Canada in 2026?
Not at present. IRCC has paused the program and is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms. A super visa allows stays of 5 years at a time.
Can a permanent resident sponsor a spouse?
Yes, if they live in Canada. A permanent resident living outside Canada cannot sponsor.
What counts as a common-law partner?
Someone who is not married to you and has lived with you for at least 12 consecutive months in a conjugal relationship.
Official sources
- IRCC — Sponsor your spouse, partner or child: check if you're eligible
- IRCC — Sponsor your spouse, partner or children: who you can sponsor
- IRCC — Sponsor your parents and grandparents
- IRCC — Citizenship and immigration application fees: fee list (21 September 2026)
- IRCC — Check processing times
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Processing times are updated monthly, and program status can change, so check IRCC before you apply. Information, not legal advice.