Bringing family to Canada is one of the most common goals for newcomers, and Canada’s family class immigration system is designed to make it possible. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor certain close relatives to join you and become permanent residents themselves. This 2026 guide explains who you can sponsor, what it costs, how the Super Visa fits in for parents and grandparents, and the practical steps involved in bringing family to Canada. Family sponsorship sits alongside the other types of Canadian visa as one of the country’s main immigration streams.
Key Takeaways
| Key Takeaways — Bringing Family to Canada | |
| Who can sponsor | Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or older can sponsor a relative for permanent residence. |
| Who you can sponsor | A spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and dependent children under 22. |
| Spouse & child fees | CAD $1,260 in government fees for a spouse or partner; each dependent child adds CAD $180. |
| Parents & grandparents | The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is paused for new 2026 applications — the Super Visa is the main alternative. |
| Students’ spouses | Since January 2025, a student’s spouse qualifies for an open work permit only in limited cases. |
Table of Contents
Who You Can Sponsor When Bringing Family to Canada
To be a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act. You generally need to live in Canada, or show that you will return once the people you sponsor become permanent residents. You also agree to a legally binding undertaking to support the sponsored relatives financially so they do not need to rely on social assistance.
Not everyone can be a sponsor. You may be ineligible if you are in prison, have declared bankruptcy, are already in default on a previous sponsorship undertaking or an immigration loan, or were convicted of certain offences. The relatives you can sponsor are limited by law to close family: your spouse or partner, dependent children, parents and grandparents, and in narrow cases an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild.
| Family member | Can you sponsor for PR? | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Yes | Legally married; genuine relationship |
| Common-law partner | Yes | Lived together 12+ continuous months |
| Conjugal partner | Yes | 1+ year committed relationship, unable to marry or cohabit |
| Dependent child | Yes | Under 22 and no spouse/partner (or dependent due to a condition) |
| Adopted child / orphaned relative | Yes (limited cases) | Specific eligibility and best-interest rules |
| Parents and grandparents | Paused for 2026 | PGP intake closed; Super Visa available as alternative |
| Other relatives (e.g. sibling, aunt) | Only in rare cases | Allowed only if you have no other eligible relative |
Sponsoring Your Spouse, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner
The spouse and partner category is the most common route for bringing family to Canada. A spouse is someone you are legally married to. A common-law partner is someone you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months. A conjugal partner is someone you have had a committed relationship with for at least a year but could not live with or marry — usually because of immigration, marital-status or other significant barriers, often in their home country.
You can apply through the outside-Canada stream or the in-Canada stream. When the sponsored spouse or partner is living with you in Canada, they may also apply for an open work permit, which lets them work for almost any employer while the application is processed. In every case, the officer must be satisfied that the relationship is genuine and was not entered into mainly to gain permanent residence. The sponsorship undertaking for a spouse or partner lasts three years from the day they become a permanent resident. This makes the spouse and partner stream the backbone of bringing family to Canada for most sponsors.
For details on the work rights that can accompany a sponsored partner, see our guide to the Canadian work permit.
Bringing Dependent Children to Canada
You can sponsor your dependent children, whether they are biological or adopted. A dependent child must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children who are 22 or older can still qualify as dependants if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before age 22 because of a mental or physical condition. When bringing family to Canada, dependent children are added to the same application as the parent or included in a spouse or partner’s application.
Adopted children and, in limited situations, orphaned close relatives such as a brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild can also be sponsored, subject to specific rules designed to protect the child’s best interests.
Parents and Grandparents: Sponsorship vs the Super Visa
Bringing parents and grandparents to Canada works differently from sponsoring a spouse or child. Permanent-residence sponsorship runs through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which uses an invitation-based intake rather than an open application window. For 2026, IRCC is not accepting new PGP sponsorship applications — the intake is paused, and the department is processing invitations issued in 2025. Prospective sponsors should watch for the next intake announcement rather than assuming they can apply at any time. In this category, bringing family to Canada depends heavily on program timing.
The Super Visa
While the PGP is paused, the Super Visa is the primary way to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended stays. The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa valid for up to 10 years that allows the holder to stay for up to 5 years at a time. It is not permanent residence, but it allows families to be together for extended periods.
To host a parent or grandparent, you must meet a minimum income threshold (based on the Low Income Cut-Off plus 30%), and the visitor must buy Canadian medical insurance with at least CAD $100,000 in coverage, valid for at least one year.
From 31 March 2026, hosts have more flexibility and can meet the income requirement using either of the two tax years preceding their application. The Super Visa is separate from a standard visitor visa, which normally allows a stay of only up to six months.
Fees for Bringing Family to Canada
The government fees for bringing family to Canada depend on who you are sponsoring. Sponsoring a spouse or partner costs CAD $1,260, which bundles the sponsorship fee, the principal applicant’s processing fee, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). Each dependent child included costs CAD $180. Sponsoring a parent or grandparent through the PGP also costs CAD $1,260 when it reopens. If you pay without the RPRF up front, the fee is CAD $660, and the CAD $600 RPRF becomes payable before permanent residence is granted.
Most sponsored relatives must also give biometrics, which cost CAD $85 per person or CAD $170 for a family of two or more applying together. The RPRF is the only fee refunded if you withdraw or the application is refused; dependent children do not pay the RPRF. Fees are set by IRCC and can change — the figures here reflect the official fee list current in mid-2026.
| Who you are sponsoring | Government fee (CAD) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or partner | 1260 | Sponsorship fee + processing fee + RPRF |
| Spouse or partner (without RPRF up front) | 660 | Sponsorship fee + processing fee |
| Each dependent child | 180 | Sponsorship fee + processing fee |
| Parent or grandparent (PGP) | 1260 | Sponsorship fee + processing fee + RPRF |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | 600 | Payable before PR is granted; refundable |
| Biometrics (per person) | 85 | Fingerprints and photo |
| Biometrics (per family of 2+) | 170 | Maximum family biometrics fee |
How to Apply and Processing Times
The process of bringing family to Canada is really two linked applications: your application to be a sponsor and the relative’s application for permanent residence. Under the Family Class, both are submitted together, usually online through IRCC’s permanent residence portal, and you can pay the fees at the same time. You will complete the sponsorship forms, the applicant’s permanent residence forms, and provide proof of your relationship, identity documents, police certificates and, where required, medical exams.
Processing times vary by category, by how complete the application is, and by how many applications IRCC has received. Spouse and partner applications are typically the fastest family-class route, while parent and grandparent processing depends on intake caps. Always check the official IRCC processing-time tool for the current estimate before you plan travel or make commitments.
Bringing Family to Canada as an International Student
Bringing family to Canada while you study follows a different set of rules from family sponsorship. International students cannot sponsor relatives for permanent residence, but a spouse or dependent child may be able to accompany them on temporary status. Since 21 January 2025, a student’s spouse qualifies for an open work permit only if the student is enrolled in a master’s program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, or a select list of professional or eligible programs; dependent children no longer qualify for a family open work permit. If you are studying, see our dedicated guide on how to apply for a Canada student visa for the current requirements.
Bringing family to Canada takes planning, accurate paperwork and patience with processing times, but the family class remains one of the most dependable ways to reunite loved ones. Always confirm the latest fees and program status on the official IRCC pages before you apply, because the rules for bringing family to Canada change from year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about bringing family to Canada in 2026.
Can I sponsor my parents to Canada in 2026?
New Parents and Grandparents Program applications are paused for 2026. If you want your parents or grandparents with you now, the Super Visa lets them visit for up to five years at a time while you wait for the PGP to reopen.
How much does it cost to sponsor my spouse?
The government fee to sponsor a spouse or partner is CAD $1,260, which includes the sponsorship fee, processing fee and Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Each dependent child added costs CAD $180, plus biometrics of $85 per person or $170 per family.
Who is allowed to sponsor family members?
You must be at least 18 and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act. You must also be able to meet the sponsorship undertaking and not be in default on a previous undertaking or immigration loan.
Can my sponsored spouse work in Canada?
Yes. A spouse or partner being sponsored through the in-Canada stream can usually apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for almost any employer while the permanent residence application is processed.
What is the age limit for a dependent child?
A dependent child must be under 22 and have no spouse or common-law partner. Children 22 or older may still qualify if they have depended on a parent financially since before 22 due to a physical or mental condition.
Can international students bring their family to Canada?
Students cannot sponsor relatives for permanent residence. A spouse may accompany them and, since January 2025, can get an open work permit only if the student is in a master’s (16 months+), doctoral or select professional program. Dependent children are no longer eligible for a family open work permit.
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