Family Sponsership If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, age 18 or over, you can sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents. They can study and work in Canada when become permanent residents and you are responsible for financially supporting your family member. You can sponsor: Spouse, common- law partner or congeal partner Dependent child (or child you plant to adopt) must be 21 and younger Parents and grandparents Orphaned relatives (under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship Other relative (lonely Canadians with no other family living in Canada) Spousal Sponsorship Spouse You are a spouse, and your marriage is legally valid Common-law Partner Either of the opposite sex or same sex, if you have been living together for at least one year You can sponsor your spouse, common-law Partner and their dependent children Conjugal partner Either the opposite sex or same sex, in exceptional circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from living together or get married. Eligibility Legally married to you At least 18 years old Has been living with you for at least 12 consecutive months (common-law) Must provide financial support for a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for three years Must provide financial support for a dependent child for 10 years, or until the child turns 25 You have intention to live in Canada Not be bankrupt Not be under a removal order if you are a permanent resident (sponsor) Not inadmissible (sponsored person) Police certificates (any country in which you spent 6 or more months since the age of 18) Must be able to provide proof of relationship Proof of relationship is crucial when sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partnership such as: Marriage license (legally valid) Letters from family and friends from both the sponsor and the principal applicants’ Pictures (wedding photos, trips, family photos) Airplane tickets Communication documents (emails, letters, telephone records or social media conversations) Joint bank account, utility bills, lease agreement Parent and grandparent You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents if you’re invited to apply you’re at least 18 years old you live in Canada you’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act you have enough money to support the people you want to sponsor to show that you have enough, you’ll have to provide your proof of income you may have a spouse or common-law partner co-sign to combine your incomes you meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Definition of dependent children They are under 22 years old They do not have a spouse or common law partner Children 22 years or older qualify as dependents if they meet both requirements: Unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition They have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22 Depending on your situation, when you submit your application you are required to include: Biometrics fee Police certificates Medical exams Current processing times Spousal sponsorship inside Canada – 12 months Spousal sponsorship outside Canada – 12 months Parents and grandparent sponsorship – 20 to 24 months