At Anwar Immigration Law Office, we explain that Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close family members to become permanent residents of Canada. This includes spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, and dependent children. Both the sponsor and the applicant must meet eligibility requirements, and the process includes mandatory steps such as biometrics, medical examinations, and criminal and background checks to ensure admissibility.

Family sponsorship also extends to parents and grandparents, although this category operates differently. In recent years, IRCC has used a managed intake system, where sponsors first submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form and are then selected through an invitation process. Once invited, applicants typically have a limited time to submit a complete application. This program is not continuously open, and intake periods vary, while previously submitted applications continue to be processed with average timelines of around 24 months.

To qualify as a sponsor, individuals must be at least 18 years old, meet financial requirements, and have no outstanding immigration or legal debts, bankruptcies, or sponsorship obligations. For spouses and partners, applicants may apply either through an in-Canada or overseas sponsorship pathway depending on their situation. Dependent children are generally under 22 years of age unless they are financially dependent due to a medical or physical condition. Since documentation and eligibility requirements vary for each category, careful preparation and proper legal guidance are essential to ensure a successful application.