IRCC assesses two things: (1) whether you are eligible to sponsor, and (2) whether your relative qualifies under the strict “other relative” rules often referred to online as lonely Canadian sponsorship.
Sponsor eligibility (general IRCC requirements):
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered in Canada under the Indian Act
- Live in Canada (and continue to live in Canada while IRCC processes the application)
- Meet IRCC’s sponsorship conditions and remain eligible throughout processing
Who you can sponsor under the “lonely canadian” / “other relative” option (key IRCC conditions):
- You may be able to sponsor 1 relative of any age who is related to you by blood or adoption
- You must have no living close relatives you could sponsor instead, such as:
- spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner
- child
- parent
- grandparent
- (and other eligible categories IRCC lists for family sponsorship)
- You must have no other relatives in Canada who are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act, including:
- an aunt or uncle
- any of the closer relatives IRCC lists in the “who you can sponsor” rules
Because this category is narrow, strong applications typically present clear evidence to show the sponsor meets the “other relative” test (for example, a clear family tree explanation supported by official civil documents).
How to apply for lonely Canadian program
If you are searching how to apply lonely canadian program, the application is submitted under IRCC’s “other relative” family sponsorship process (not a separate “lonely canadian program ircc” stream). You must follow IRCC’s official instructions and submit the required sponsorship and permanent residence components together, using IRCC’s required submission method.
Typical application steps (high-level):
- Confirm you meet the “other relative” eligibility test before starting
- Prepare the required forms and supporting documents (often searched as lonely canadian program application form)
- Pay the required government fees
- Submit the complete application package as instructed by IRCC
- Respond promptly to any IRCC requests (additional documents, biometrics, medical exam, background checks, etc.)
Lonely canadian program processing time (and how to track your file):
- Processing times vary by country and case complexity.
- The most reliable place to check updates is IRCC itself. You can review current time estimates using IRCC’s processing times tool and track your application status through your IRCC account using IRCC’s application status tools.
For personalized guidance based on your situation, speak with our immigration consultants, review our fees for full transparency, or book a consultation to get step-by-step support with your application.
