Family
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and dependent children for permanent residence. It is one of Canada's largest programs — and one where small documentation gaps cause long delays.
With family-class targets lower in the 2026–2028 Levels Plan and processing times expected to grow, submitting a complete, well-organized application the first time matters.
IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents Program applications in 2026 and is processing existing files. The super visa remains available for long visits. See our guide on the 2026 pause.
There is generally no minimum income for spousal sponsorship, although some exceptions apply (for example, when the sponsor's dependent child has their own dependent children).
How Canadian citizens and PRs sponsor a spouse or common-law partner: eligibility, inland vs outland applications, proving a genuine relationship, and mistakes to avoid.
Read · 6 minIRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents Program applications in 2026. What happens to existing files, and how the super visa lets parents stay up to five years at a time.
Read · 5 min380,000 permanent residents a year, fewer temporary residents, and one-time PR pathways for protected persons and workers. A plain-language guide to Canada's levels plan.
Read · 6 minThis page is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
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