Canada family sponsorship in 2026

Eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and certain persons registered under the Indian Act may sponsor qualifying family members for permanent residence.

Spouse, common-law, conjugal-partner and dependent-child categories have separate definitions and evidence requirements. For common-law sponsorship, IRCC generally requires 12 consecutive months of cohabitation in a conjugal relationship.

Sponsors sign an undertaking and must meet sponsor rules; the sponsored person must separately qualify and be admissible. A genuine relationship is required.

IRCC currently labels the Parents and Grandparents Program as paused. Do not assume new PGP applications are continuously accepted. The Super Visa is a different temporary route.

Eligible sponsored spouses/partners in Canada may have a separate open-work-permit option while PR processing continues.

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Verified against IRCC on 18 September 2026.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Canada