Bring your spouse, partner or children to Canada — permanently, not just to visit.
Family sponsorship lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child for permanent residence. Unlike most economic pathways, these categories are not scored against other applicants — if you meet the relationship and admissibility requirements, IRCC assesses your application on its own merits.
The Parents and Grandparents Program works differently, and 2026 is not a normal year for it. More on that below.
What changed in 2026
The biggest change this year is not a rule change inside an existing category — it is a pause. IRCC stopped accepting new Parents and Grandparents Program applications for 2026, while continuing to process the existing backlog.
| Change | What it means |
|---|---|
| Parents and Grandparents Program | Paused to new applications since 1 January 2026. IRCC plans to finalize up to 15,000 existing files in 2026. No date has been announced for reopening. |
| Super visa income rules | From 31 March 2026, sponsors can qualify using either of the last two tax years, or by combining their income with the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s. Updated LICO: $30,526 for a single-person household, $56,724 for a family of four. |
| Quebec undertakings | Quebec’s MIFI closed intake for spouse, common-law, conjugal partner and dependent child (18+) sponsorships on 9 July 2025, reopening 2 July 2026 under new caps. This applies only to Quebec-based sponsors. |
If your parents or grandparents were relying on a 2026 PGP intake, that route is closed for now. The super visa is the practical alternative while the pause is in effect — we cover it below.
Who you can sponsor
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner
Whether your partner already lives in Canada or is applying from abroad.
- You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act, aged 18 or over
- Your relationship is genuine: married, in a common-law relationship of at least 12 continuous months, or in a conjugal partnership where cohabitation has not been possible
- You are not receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability
- You are not subject to a sponsorship bar — for example, a recent sponsorship breakdown, certain criminal convictions, or outstanding immigration debts
Most sponsors need to show no minimum income to sponsor a spouse or partner — that requirement only applies in narrow situations, such as sponsoring a partner who has their own dependent children with children of their own. If your partner is already in Canada, they may also be able to apply for an open work permit while their application is in process.
Dependent children
For your own children, or your partner’s.
- Under 22 years old and not a spouse or partner themselves, or
- 22 or older, and substantially dependent on you since before turning 22 because of a physical or mental condition
Adopted children can qualify too, provided the adoption meets IRCC’s requirements and, where applicable, the requirements of the child’s home country.
Parents and grandparents
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) intake is paused for 2026 — IRCC is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms or applications right now.
- Existing PGP applications continue to be processed; IRCC expects to finalize up to 15,000 in 2026
- No date has been announced for the program to reopen
- The super visa remains available as a temporary alternative — up to five years per entry, extendable, with multiple entries for up to ten years
We will tell you honestly whether the super visa suits your situation while PGP intake is closed, and keep you informed if and when the program reopens.
Sponsorship or the super visa?
These get confused constantly, and the difference matters. A sponsorship application leads to permanent residence. The super visa does not — it is a long-stay visitor visa.
- Family sponsorship is a permanent residence application. For spouses, partners and children, most categories are not subject to a minimum income test.
- The super visa is temporary. It requires proof of income (recalculated from 31 March 2026) and private health insurance, and does not lead to permanent residence on its own.
If your parents or grandparents want to be in Canada now and PGP intake is closed, the super visa is usually the right interim step. Our fee schedule is published in full, so you will know the cost before committing to either route.
Frequently asked
Who can I sponsor under family sponsorship?
Your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children, if you meet the eligibility and relationship requirements. Parents and grandparents are covered by a separate program, currently paused to new applications for 2026.
Do I need a minimum income to sponsor my spouse or partner?
In most cases, no. IRCC only requires proof of income in specific situations, such as sponsoring a partner who has dependent children of their own. Income rules apply differently to the Parents and Grandparents Program and the super visa.
The Parents and Grandparents Program is paused — what can I do instead?
The super visa is the practical alternative while PGP intake is closed. It is a temporary, multiple-entry visa rather than a path to permanent residence, but it lets your parents or grandparents be with you in Canada now.
How long does family sponsorship take?
Processing time depends on the category and where the application is finalized. We will give you a realistic estimate for your specific situation and keep you updated as IRCC’s published times change.
Do I need a representative to apply?
You can apply on your own. Having a licensed representative reduces the risk of errors that lead to delays or refusal, particularly with proof-of-relationship evidence and admissibility questions.
About your consultant
Howard Brown, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, RCIC licence R713090 — verify on the CICC public register. Read more about our approach.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Take the free two-minute assessment, or get in touch to talk it through with a licensed RCIC.