This category is for citizens and permanent residents of Canada who want to sponsor a close family member. To sponsor a member of either the family class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, aged 18 or over.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or over may sponsor the following members of the Family Class:

A spouse

• Common-law partner
• Conjugal partner
• Dependent children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Children under the age of 18 whom the sponsor intends to adopt in Canada
• Brother, sisters, nephews nieces and grandchildren who are orphans, under the age of 18 and not married or in common-law relationship.
• A blood relative, if the sponsor has no relative as describe above, either abroad or in Canada.

You may be eligible to sponsor if:

1. The person you want to sponsor is a member of the family class.

2. You are 18 years of age or older;

3. You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

4. You reside in Canada (Canadian citizens not residing in Canada must satisfy Immigration officials that they will reside in Canada at the time their sponsored spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and/or children become permanent residents of Canada).

5. You sign an agreement with the government to provide for the essential needs of the immigrant for a period between 3 and 10 years (depending on their age and relationship to the sponsor). Legal action can be taken against the sponsor if he or she fails to meet his or her obligations to support the immigrant.

A sponsor must demonstrate financial ability to provide for the essential needs of the immigrant and any dependents. If you are sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent children, you are exempt from the minimum income requirements.