Le parrainage familial — réunir votre famille au Canada, étape par étape.
1. Who can sponsor?
Conditions to sponsor:
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 years old
- Residing in Canada (except citizens sponsoring a spouse)
- In Quebec: dual federal + provincial approval
2. Who can be sponsored?
Categories of people who can be sponsored:
- Spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner
- Dependent children (generally under 22)
- Parents and grandparents (limited program with annual lottery)
- Brother / sister / nephew / niece orphan (specific cases)
3. Financial undertaking
The financial undertaking:
- Spouse: 3 years
- Children: 10 years or until age 22
- Parents / grandparents: 20 years
If the person receives social assistance, you must reimburse the government.
4. Spouse sponsorship in Quebec
In Quebec, two approvals are required:
- Federal: IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
- Provincial: CSQ from MIFI
Relationship proof: photos, emails, joint travel, testimonials.
5. The three main categories at a glance
The three main categories — spouse, children, parents/grandparents — differ sharply in length of undertaking, fees and processing times.
On top of these fees, add: medical exams, criminal checks from every country lived in, and certified translations.
For parents and grandparents, IRCC uses the MNI (Minimum Necessary Income) — about $50,000 in proven income over each of the last 3 years to sponsor 2 parents into a family already of 2.
| Category | Undertaking | Fees (CAD) | Quebec timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | 3 years | ~$1,200 | 12-24 months (in Canada) |
| Spouse abroad | 3 years | ~$1,200 | 12-24 months + 6-12 months CSQ |
| Dependent child | 10 years or until age 22 | Variable | With spouse/parent application |
| Parents / grandparents | 20 years | ~$1,100 | 24-48 months — backlogged |
6. Your action list
Follow these steps to sponsor a loved one in Quebec. Check each box as you go: your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Verify your eligibility as a sponsor
- Gather the relationship proof (photos, emails, travel)
- Complete the federal application on the IRCC portal
- Complete the provincial application (CSQ) with MIFI
- Get the medical exams with an approved physician
- Obtain the police certificate from every country lived in
- Pay the fees to both governments
- Track the file status on the IRCC and MIFI portals
7. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on family sponsorship: non-married partners, what happens on separation, minimum income required, real timelines, and eligibility after bankruptcy.
Can I sponsor my partner if we're not married?
Yes — Canada recognizes three relationship types:
- Spouse (legally married)
- Common-law partner (continuous cohabitation of at least 12 months)
- Conjugal partner (committed relationship of at least 1 year, unable to live together due to immigration barriers)
All three are eligible under the same rules of the family class. You'll need to prove the relationship is genuine and continuing — joint bills, photos, letters from family, etc.
What happens if the relationship ends during the sponsorship undertaking?
Your financial obligation continues. The undertaking of 3 years (spouse) or 10 to 20 years (parents/grandparents) is to the government, not to your partner — separation or divorce does not cancel it.
If your former partner receives social assistance during the undertaking period, the government will recover those amounts from you. This is a major reason to be certain before sponsoring.
What's the minimum income required to sponsor?
For a spouse or dependent child: no minimum income required.
For parents, grandparents or siblings: IRCC uses the MNI (Minimum Necessary Income), published annually by family size. In 2026, sponsoring 2 parents into a family already of 2 requires roughly $50,000+ proven income over each of the last 3 tax years.
Quebec adds its own income test via MIFI, often slightly higher.
How long does a sponsorship application take in 2026?
Typical timelines in 2026:
- Spouse sponsorship in Canada: 12 to 18 months
- Spouse sponsorship abroad: 12 to 24 months
- Parents and grandparents (PGP): 24 to 48 months — heavily backlogged
Quebec adds 6 to 12 months to federal timelines because of the extra CSQ step (Certificat de sélection du Québec). Provincial processing was slowed considerably in 2024-2025 due to volume caps.
Can I sponsor if I've received social assistance or declared bankruptcy?
Currently receiving social assistance generally disqualifies you, with exceptions for disability. A past bankruptcy is accepted if it's been discharged.
Past sponsorship defaults (where the government had to support your sponsored relative) must be fully repaid before you can submit a new application.
Be transparent — this information is verifiable in government databases, and an undeclared item leads to refusal.
8. Official sources
For official information:
Phone: IRCC at 1-888-242-2100.
9. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Renew or replace your PR card — the status the sponsored person obtains on arrival.
- Canadian citizenship application in Quebec — the long-term pathway after several years of permanent residence.
- Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) — the first admin step for the sponsored person on arrival.
Author's note: Long, complex, emotionally difficult — but one of the most beautiful possibilities Canada offers. Patience, organization, and don't hesitate to consult a lawyer or accredited consultant if needed.
