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By Sana Mirfattah | Bright Tomorrows Immigration Services | Updated September 25, 2026

Canada Family Sponsorship 2026: Key Takeaways

You can sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child if you are 18+, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (or registered under the Indian Act), and you live in Canada. Citizens abroad must show they will live in Canada when the person becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents outside Canada cannot sponsor. (IRCC eligibility)
Most spouse, partner, and dependent-child files have no minimum income. You only need to prove income if you sponsor a dependent child who has their own dependent child, or a spouse/partner whose dependent child also has a dependent child.
Fees listed on IRCC: sponsor a spouse or partner from $1,260; sponsor a child from $180. Check the live fee list before you pay. (IRCC program page)
The temporary public policy for previously undeclared family members ended on September 10, 2026. Applications received after that date are not covered. IRCC still applies the policy to eligible files received between May 31, 2019 and September 10, 2026. (IRCC who you can sponsor)
Quebec sponsors must meet Quebec eligibility and, where it applies, Quebec income rules, and sign a Quebec undertaking only after IRCC tells them to.

Who can sponsor in 2026

You can sponsor if you:

are at least 18 years old
are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act
live in Canada (citizens abroad must prove they will return to live in Canada; PRs abroad cannot sponsor)
sign an undertaking and sponsorship agreement
meet IRPA and IRPR requirements

You generally cannot sponsor a spouse or partner if you were yourself sponsored as a spouse or partner and became a PR less than 5 years ago, or if you still have an undertaking in force for a previous spouse or partner (3 years from when they became a PR).

You also cannot sponsor if you have an open file for the same person, are incarcerated, are behind on immigration loans, performance bonds, or court-ordered support (outside Quebec spouse/child cases), defaulted on a prior sponsorship, are undischarged bankrupt, receive social assistance for a reason other than disability, have certain violent or sexual convictions, or are subject to a removal order. (IRCC eligibility)

Who you can sponsor

Spouse

Legally married, at least 18, any gender, genuine relationship, not inadmissible.

Common-law partner

Not married to you, at least 18, genuine relationship, lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship. Short, temporary absences (family or work) can be acceptable. If either person ends the relationship, IRCC treats it as over.

Conjugal partner

Not married and not common-law, at least 18, exclusive interdependent relationship of at least 1 year (physical, emotional, financial, social). Lives outside Canada and could not live with you or marry you because of legal, immigration, social, cultural, or religious barriers.

Dependent child

Biological or adopted child of you or your spouse/partner, not inadmissible, and either:

under 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner, or
22 or older, unable to support themselves because of a mental or physical condition, and dependent on the parents since before age 22

Except for age, the child must keep meeting these rules until IRCC finishes processing. (IRCC who you can sponsor)

If you sponsor only a child, that child is the principal applicant and you must show the other parent or guardian agrees. If you sponsor a spouse or partner and their child, the spouse or partner is the principal applicant. Always declare grandchildren and children in sole custody of the other parent, even if they are not coming. Failure to declare family members can put PR status at risk.

Inland vs outland

If the person you sponsor lives with you in Canada, you typically apply under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class (inland). If they live abroad, or they live with you but will not stay in Canada while IRCC processes the file, you use the overseas (outland) Family Class process. Confirm the correct stream in Guide IMM 5289.

Some inland spouses and partners can apply for an open work permit while the PR file is in process. Check IRCC's current OWP rules before you file.

Processing times change. Use IRCC's processing times tool and select inland or outland, plus Quebec vs rest of Canada.

Fees and money

IRCC lists spouse or partner sponsorship from $1,260 and child sponsorship from $180. Those figures can include the sponsorship fee, principal applicant processing fee, and right of permanent residence fee depending on the person. Always confirm on the IRCC fee list the day you pay.

Most files need no minimum income. Use IMM 1283 only when the grandchild-style income rule applies.

The undeclared-family public policy (ended September 10, 2026)

If you did not declare a family member on your own PR application, the temporary public policy that let some of those people be sponsored ended on September 10, 2026. IRCC continues to apply it only to eligible applications received between May 31, 2019 and September 10, 2026. New applications after that date cannot use the policy. Previously undeclared family members are not eligible for family sponsorship under that policy going forward. (IRCC)

How to apply

Confirm sponsor and applicant eligibility.
Gather relationship evidence (marriage certificate, joint leases, photos, messages, travel, finances).
Complete the IMM 5289 package and medical, police, and biometrics steps IRCC requests.
Pay fees and submit through the IRCC portal.
After you apply, IRCC issues an application number and AOR, then assesses sponsor eligibility and the person you sponsor. (After you apply)

Talk to Bright Tomorrows

Relationship evidence, Quebec undertakings, inland work permits, and undeclared-family history are where files stall. Book a consultation with Bright Tomorrows Immigration Services if you want a licensed review before you submit.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm every fee, form, and processing time on IRCC before you file.

Canada Family Sponsorship 2026: Spouse, Partner, and Dependent Children