What is Family Class?

Family Class is the immigration category that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members for Canadian permanent residence. Authorized under section 13(1) of IRPA and detailed in IRPR sections 117-137.

Who can be sponsored under Family Class

The following family members are eligible:

• Spouse (legally married)
• Common-law partner (cohabiting 12+ continuous months in a conjugal relationship)
• Conjugal partner (in a relationship of at least 1 year where cohabitation has been impossible due to legal or immigration barriers)
• Dependent children (under 22, single, OR over 22 if dependent on parents financially due to physical/mental condition)
• Parents and grandparents (through the Parents and Grandparents Program — PGP)
• Orphaned brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren (under 18, single)
• Last remaining family member (when sponsor has no other family in Canada)
• Other relatives in very limited circumstances

Who can sponsor

To sponsor, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident (PRs cannot sponsor from outside Canada; citizens can sponsor from anywhere)
• At least 18 years old
• Living in Canada (or showing intent to return, for Canadian citizens abroad sponsoring spouse/dependent children)
• Not in default on prior sponsorship undertakings or social-assistance receipts
• Meet income requirements (varies by category — most stringent for PGP)

Sponsorship undertakings

Sponsorship is a legally binding undertaking that you will provide for the sponsored person's basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, healthcare not covered by public funds) for a defined period:

• Spouse / common-law / conjugal partner: 3 years
• Dependent child: 10 years or until age 25 (whichever is first)
• Parent / grandparent: 20 years (note: longer than other categories)

Why this matters

Sponsorship is one of Canada's largest PR-admission categories, particularly significant for Pakistani, Indian, Filipino, and Chinese diaspora communities reunifying families.

Halani's note

Sponsorship files (spousal, PGP, parental) are a major part of our practice. The sponsor side and the sponsored side both have specific requirements that must be coordinated. We handle both ends.