How to Become a Sponsor in Canada: Canada Sponsor Program

There are things you need to consider before you can become a sponsor in Canada. If you are Canadian citizen; you are at least 18 years of age; and live in Canada, you can sponsor people to visit Canada. You need to read and understand all this frequently ask question to be eligible to sponsor your spouse, child and family.

Can I Sponsor Someone in Canada If I Do Not Live in Canada?

It is impossible for you to sponsor someone to come and live in Canada if you are not living in the country at the time. Even if you are a permanent resident of Canada, you must be in the country when you sponsor someone.

You must also prove that you qualify as a sponsor by showing you can provide for:

• yourself
• your spouse/partner; and
• your dependents and/or
• you spouse’s dependents

When I Can Not Sponsor Someone in Canada?

You cannot apply to sponsor someone in Canada if you:

• Receive social assistance (this does not include social disability);
• Have sponsored someone else within 3 years of becoming a permanent resident in Canada;
• Have defaulted on an immigration loan or performance bond;
• Have not paid alimony or child support (if applicable);
• Have been convicted of a crime;
• Were sponsored yourself and became a permanent resident of Canada less than 5 years ago;
• Are in a jail, reformatory, prison; or
• Are under a removal order

Who Can You Sponsor to Live in Canada?

You can sponsor your:

• Spouse;
• Common-law partner;
• Conjugal partner
• Dependent child

Depending on who you sponsor, the documents you need to apply with may change:

• If you sponsor your conjugal partner or dependent child, you can apply for Family Class; and
• If you sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, you can apply for either Family Class or the Spouse or Common-Law Partner Class.

Can spousal sponsorship be denied?

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) thoroughly investigates the legitimacy of every relationship in an effort to ensure that the applicant is not committing marriage fraud in order to immigrate to Canada. If the immigration officer is not convinced that the marriage is true, they will refuse the application and can also ban the spouse you wish to sponsor from entering Canada for five years, for misrepresentation.

What is the minimum income required to sponsor a spouse in Canada?

Family and Spousal Sponsorship Annual Income Requirement

     Number of persons                                                 Minimum annual income requirement

1 person (the sponsor)                                                                    $26,426

2 people                                                                                               $32,898

3 people                                                                                               $40,444

4 people                                                                                               $49,106

5 people                                                                                               $55,694

6 people                                                                                               $62,814

7 people                                                                                               $69,934

If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add             $7,120

Will I be forced to leave Canada if I leave my spouse?

Your spouse does not have the right to have you deported from Canada when you leave him/her. Only federal immigration authorities (such as the IRCC) can decide to deport someone.

Though, if your spouse aim to sponsor you for permanent resident status in Canada, and the sponsorship application is still in progress, they can withdraw the application before your permanent residence in Canada is finally out.

Can I stay in Canada while waiting for spousal sponsorship?

Yes. While you wait for your spousal sponsorship application to be approved, you can apply for a Canada visitor visa in the meantime before the application is approved. Although, visitor visa does not give you permanent residency in Canada, as a visitor, you may stay in the country for up to six months after the day you arrive. This will allow you to live in Canada with your spouse while you wait for your spousal sponsorship application to be approved.