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Sponsor Other Family members to Canada
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Sponsoring Other Family Members to Canada 2026

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Canada’s family sponsorship program is primarily intended to reunite immediate family members, such as spouses or partners, children, and parents or grandparents. In addition to these main categories, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides limited pathways that may allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor other family members in specific and exceptional circumstances.

Sponsorship of extended family members is not broadly available and is governed by strict eligibility rules. In some cases, a sponsor may be eligible to sponsor orphaned relatives—such as a brother, sister, niece, nephew, or grandchild—who are under the age of 18, unmarried or not in a common-law relationship, and whose parents are deceased. IRCC also allows the sponsorship of one other relative of any age when the sponsor has no spouse or partner, no children, no parents or grandparents, and no relatives in Canada who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians. This situation is commonly referred to as the “lonely Canadian” exception.

Because these categories are narrowly defined, applications are closely reviewed by IRCC. Sponsors must meet eligibility and financial requirements, sign a sponsorship undertaking, and submit detailed documentation to clearly prove the family relationship and the sponsored person’s admissibility to Canada. Processing times may also be longer than for immediate family sponsorship due to the complexity of these cases.

Submitting a complete, well-documented application is essential to avoid delays or refusals—especially when eligibility depends on specific exceptions. The sections below explain who qualifies, what requirements apply, and how the process works for sponsoring other family members. If you would like professional guidance, you can book a consultation with one of our immigration consultants to review your family situation and confirm eligibility. You can also review our fees for a clear overview of service options and what is included.

Who you can sponsor

Sponsor Other Family members to Canada

Sponsoring Orphaned Relative

You may be able to sponsor an orphaned relative to Canada as a permanent resident if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The person is your brother, sister, niece, nephew, or grandchild
  • They are related to you by blood or adoption
  • Both parents are deceased (not missing, absent, or detained)
  • They are under 18 years old
  • They are single and not in a common-law or conjugal relationship

If any of these conditions are not met, the person cannot be sponsored under the orphaned relative category. The sponsorship and permanent residence applications must be submitted together, and the sponsor must meet IRCC’s eligibility and financial requirements.

Sponsoring Other Relative

In rare circumstances, you may be eligible to sponsor one other relative of any age if all of the following apply:

  • You are related by blood or adoption
  • You have no spouse or partner, children, parents, or grandparents you could sponsor
  • You have no eligible orphaned relatives
  • You have no relatives in Canada who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians

This situation is sometimes informally referred to as the “lonely Canadian” exception. The sponsorship and permanent residence applications must be submitted together, and the sponsor must meet all general eligibility and financial requirements.

Eligibility & Requirements

Sponsoring other family members to Canada is subject to strict eligibility rules, as these applications are only permitted in limited circumstances under IRCC regulations. Both the sponsor and the applicant must meet specific eligibility and admissibility requirements, and the sponsorship must fall within one of the recognized exceptions for extended family members. The sponsor must also accept a legally binding undertaking to financially support the applicant. Understanding these requirements early is essential, as applications are closely reviewed and must be well-documented to avoid delays or refusal.

Sponsor Eligibility Requirements

To sponsor other family members to Canada, you must meet all eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Sponsorship under this category is assessed strictly, and IRCC will review the sponsor’s eligibility before processing the application.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR IF YOU:

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act
  • Live in Canada

    • Your primary residential address must be in Canada when you submit your application and remain in Canada until IRCC makes a decision

  • Meet the required income guidelines set by IRCC
  • Are not receiving social assistance, except for disability-related assistance
  • Are willing to sign a legally binding sponsorship undertaking agreeing to financially support the sponsored family member

If you live in Quebec: sponsorship rules are different. You must also meet Quebec’s eligibility requirements and sign a separate undertaking with the Government of Quebec after IRCC instructs you to do so.

SITUATIONS WHERE YOU CANNOT SPONSOR

You may not be eligible to sponsor other family members if:

  • You are in prison
  • You have declared bankruptcy and have not been discharged
  • You are receiving social assistance, other than for disability
  • You are behind on payments for:

    • an immigration loan
    • a performance bond
    • court-ordered family support payments, such as child support or alimony
       (This restriction on family support payments does not apply if you live in Quebec.)

  • You previously sponsored a relative and did not meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement
  • You have been convicted of a violent offence, an offence against a family member, or a sexual offence, depending on the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, and whether a record suspension was issued
  • You cannot legally remain in Canada and are subject to a removal order

Note: IRCC may find a sponsor ineligible for other reasons depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

Sponsorship Undertaking & Responsibilities

Sponsoring other family members to Canada requires signing a legally binding sponsorship undertaking. By signing the undertaking, you agree to financially support the sponsored person so they won’t need to rely on social assistance.

As a sponsor, you are responsible for providing the sponsored person’s basic needs, including:

  • Food, clothing, and other necessities for everyday living
  • Shelter (housing and related costs)
  • Dental care, eye care, and other health needs not covered by public health services

For other family members (other relatives), the undertaking period is 10 years. The undertaking generally begins on the day the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident and remains in effect for the full undertaking period.

The undertaking is not cancelled if:

  • Your relationship with the sponsored person changes
  • The sponsored person becomes a Canadian citizen
  • Your financial situation worsens (for example, job loss or debt)

If the sponsored person receives social assistance during the undertaking period, the sponsor may be required to repay the government for the benefits provided.

Note: If you live in Quebec, the undertaking process and undertaking period are handled under Quebec’s rules.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

To be sponsored under Canada’s family sponsorship program for other relatives, the applicant must meet IRCC’s specific eligibility criteria and fall within one of the limited categories permitted under this class. In addition to meeting relationship requirements, the applicant must also be admissible to Canada.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO BE SPONSORED IF YOU ARE:

  • An orphaned brother or sister, orphaned niece or nephew, or orphaned grandchild of the sponsor and:
    • Are under 18 years of age
    • Are not married and not in a common-law relationship
    • Have both parents deceased

OR

  • One relative of any age or relationship (by blood or adoption) if the sponsor:
    • Has no living spouse or partner
    • Has no children
    • Has no parents or grandparents
    • Has no relatives in Canada who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians

In all cases, the family relationship between the sponsor and the applicant must be clearly proven with acceptable documentation.

SITUATIONS WHERE YOU CANNOT BE SPONSORED

You may not be eligible for sponsorship under this category if:

  • You do not meet IRCC’s definition of an eligible other relative
  • You are over 18 and not orphaned (for orphaned relative categories)
  • You are married or in a common-law relationship (for orphaned relative categories)
  • The sponsor has another eligible immediate family member they could sponsor instead
  • You are inadmissible to Canada due to medical, criminal, or security reasons

Note: IRCC assesses eligibility and admissibility on a case-by-case basis. Even if a relationship exists, the application may be refused if the eligibility criteria are not fully met or supporting evidence is insufficient.

General Requirements

Sponsorship Category Limitations

Sponsorship of other family members is only permitted under specific IRCC exceptions. The application must clearly fall within an eligible category, such as the sponsorship of an orphaned relative or the sponsorship of one other relative when no eligible immediate family members exist. Applications submitted outside these limited categories are refused.

Proof of Family Relationship

A complete application must include clear and reliable documentation proving the claimed family relationship between the sponsor and the applicant. This may include birth certificates, adoption records, family registries, and other official documents. Insufficient or inconsistent proof of relationship is a common reason for refusal.

Application Completeness

The sponsorship application must include all required forms, supporting documents, evidence, and full payment of government fees. IRCC will return or refuse applications that are incomplete, improperly completed, or missing required documentation.

Medical, Biometrics, and Background Checks

The sponsored person must complete an immigration medical examination, provide biometrics when required, and pass criminal and security background checks. Failure to meet admissibility requirements can result in refusal, even if the family relationship is valid.

Processing Times

Processing times for sponsoring other family members vary depending on the sponsorship category, the applicant’s country of residence, and the complexity of the case. These applications often take longer than immediate family sponsorships due to the limited nature of the category and additional eligibility review.

After Approval

Once the application is approved and the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, the sponsorship undertaking begins. The sponsor’s financial responsibilities apply for the full undertaking period, regardless of changes in circumstances.

Understanding IRCC’s requirements and preparing a complete, well-supported application is essential when sponsoring other family members. Careful documentation and accurate classification of the sponsorship category play a key role in avoiding delays or refusal.

IRCC Application Process

Document Checklist Requirements

Applications to sponsor other family members must follow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official checklist exactly. The checklist outlines the documents and forms required from both the sponsor and the applicant. Because this sponsorship category is limited to specific exceptions, IRCC closely reviews applications for completeness and eligibility.

In general, a complete application includes:

  • Required forms for sponsorship and permanent residence, including background and family information forms and a representative form (if applicable)
  • Identity and civil status documents, such as passports, birth certificates, adoption records, death certificates (for orphaned relatives), and legal name-change documents
    • Documents not in English or French must include certified translations
  • Proof of family relationship establishing eligibility under the correct category (orphaned relative or other relative)
  • Police certificates for the applicant from their current country of residence and any country where they lived for 6 months or more since age 18
  • Immigration medical examination results and biometrics, if required
  • Financial documents, including proof of income and the signed sponsorship undertaking
  • Status documents, if the applicant is legally in Canada at the time of application

The sponsorship and permanent residence applications must be submitted together, along with full payment of all required government fees.

Always consult the official IRCC checklist for sponsoring other family members to ensure you are using the most current forms and requirements before submitting your application, as IRCC updates its instructions periodically.

IRCC Processing Time

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes regularly updated processing time estimates through its official online processing time tool. These estimates are not guaranteed timelines, but they provide a general indication of how long it may take from the time a complete application is received until a final decision is made.

Processing times for sponsoring other family members can vary significantly and are often longer than immediate family sponsorships, due to the limited nature of this category and the additional eligibility review required. Timelines depend on several factors, including:

  • The specific sponsorship category (orphaned relative vs. other relative)
  • The complexity of the case, including relationship verification and admissibility checks
  • Whether additional documents, biometrics, or medical information are requested
  • The visa office processing the application
  • IRCC’s overall workload and annual admissions priorities

Delays commonly occur when applications are incomplete, documents or certified translations are missing, fees are paid incorrectly, or IRCC must request further clarification or evidence.

Processing times may also be affected by Canada’s annual immigration levels and Family Class admissions targets, which influence how quickly applications can be finalized in a given year.

Applicants are encouraged to monitor IRCC’s official processing time tool and ensure their application is complete and well-documented to help avoid unnecessary delays.

IRCC Application Fees

Financial planning for sponsoring other family members to Canada involves two categories of costs: government fees and third-party expenses. Understanding these costs in advance helps you budget accurately and avoid delays caused by incorrect or incomplete payments.

Government Fees (Paid to IRCC)

Government fees must be paid in full online to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the time of application. For most sponsorship applications involving other family members, the total government fee currently averages approximately CAD 1,290 (2025 estimate) for one principal applicant.

This amount generally includes:

  • Sponsorship fee: CAD 85
  • Principal applicant processing fee: CAD 545
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575
  • Biometrics fee: CAD 85

If the sponsored person has accompanying dependent children, an additional CAD 170 per dependent child applies.

Fees for sponsoring other family members are set by IRCC and subject to change. Always consult the official IRCC fee list for the most up-to-date amounts before submitting your application:

Third-Party Expenses (Not Paid to IRCC)

In addition to government fees, applicants should budget for third-party costs that are paid directly to service providers. These expenses vary depending on country and individual circumstances and may include:

  • Immigration medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician
  • Police certificates from required countries
  • Certified translations for documents not in English or French
  • Courier or mailing services

Proper financial planning ensures that all required fees are paid correctly and helps prevent processing delays or application returns.

Application Status Tracker

After submitting your application to sponsor other family members, you can track its progress using several Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tools. Most updates will appear in your IRCC secure online account or PR portal.

Key updates you may receive include:

  • Requests for additional documents or clarification
  • Biometrics instructions
  • Immigration medical examination instructions
  • Updates or final decisions on the application

Once IRCC confirms that your application is complete and issues an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), you can follow the overall progress of the permanent residence application using the Application Status Tracker. This tool allows you to view high-level status updates and track key stages such as eligibility review, medical results, and background checks. This is the primary tracking tool for most permanent residence applications.

Some applications may still be tracked through the Client Application Status (CAS) system, or updates may be provided through IRCC webforms or by phone, depending on how and when the application was submitted.

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