Reunite your family in Canada — permanent residence pathways for spouses and parents
Canada's Family Class immigration programs let citizens and permanent residents sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, parents, or grandparents for permanent residence. Get the full 2026 guide, side-by-side comparisons, and use our free eligibility calculator below.
2026 target
processing (2026)
processing (2026)
spousal sponsorship
Spousal & Partner Sponsorship — Inland and Outland
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence. The most important decision you'll make is choosing between two streams: Inland (if your partner is already in Canada) and Outland (processed through a visa office abroad).
Spouse
Your legally married partner — any legal marriage recognized under Canadian law, including same-sex marriage performed anywhere in the world.
Common-Law Partner
A partner you have lived with continuously in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months — any gender or sexual orientation.
Conjugal Partner
A committed partner who cannot live with you due to circumstances outside your control (e.g. immigration barriers, legal restrictions). Exceptional category — strong evidence required.
You can sponsor if you:
- Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
- Are at least 18 years old
- Live in Canada (PRs must be in Canada throughout processing)
- Are not receiving social assistance (exceptions for disability)
- Have no criminal convictions for violence, sexual offences, or certain other crimes
- Are not currently sponsored yourself and awaiting PR
- Sign a 3-year financial undertaking (no minimum income requirement)
Unlike parents and grandparents sponsorship, there is NO minimum income requirement for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner. You only need to show you are not receiving social assistance. This makes spousal sponsorship one of the most accessible immigration pathways in Canada.
Inland vs. Outland — which should you choose?
This is the most consequential decision in the spousal sponsorship process. Both lead to permanent residence — but they work very differently.
Inland Sponsorship
For couples already living together in Canada
Outland Sponsorship
Processed at a visa office — flexible and often faster
Outland is 9 months faster on average, gives you appeal rights if refused, and allows your partner to travel freely. Unless you urgently need the open work permit that Inland offers, most immigration professionals recommend Outland for couples with the choice.
How to apply — 5 steps to permanent residence
Confirm eligibility — sponsor and sponsored person
Verify you meet all sponsor requirements. Confirm your relationship is genuine and falls within one of the three categories (spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner). Same-sex relationships are fully recognized.
Choose your stream: Inland or Outland
Inland if your partner is in Canada and needs to work while waiting. Outland if your partner is abroad, you need travel flexibility, or you want faster processing and appeal rights.
Gather your relationship evidence (the most critical step)
IRCC must be convinced your relationship is genuine. Collect photos together (various times and locations), communication records, financial evidence (joint accounts, lease), travel history together, statements from family and friends, and any marriage/cohabitation documents.
Complete and submit your application through the IRCC portal
All applications must be submitted online. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Include all required forms, documents, photos, police certificates, and the government fee (~$1,290–$1,625 CAD). Medical exams done upfront can speed processing.
Wait for a decision and prepare for landing
Inland: virtual landing while in Canada. Outland: partner arrives with COPR and PR visa, must land before COPR expiry. Inland applicants can apply for an Open Work Permit after receiving AOR.
2026 government fees — spousal sponsorship
(spouse/common-law, 2026)
Additional costs: medical exam (~$250–$450), police certificates, document translation, and RCIC/lawyer fees if professional help is engaged. Fees are subject to change — always verify on IRCC's official fee page before applying.
Not sure which stream is right for your situation?
Our RCIC will review your relationship, your partner's current status in Canada, and your travel needs — and recommend the best strategy before you submit a single form.
Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence. Unlike spousal sponsorship, the PGP is lottery-based with limited annual spots. In 2026, the program is on pause with no new intake announced.
Who you can sponsor under PGP
- Biological parents and grandparents
- Adoptive parents and grandparents
- Step-parents who are married to or in a common-law relationship with your biological parent
- Their accompanying dependent children (if applicable)
Sponsor eligibility requirements
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act
- At least 18 years old
- Primary residence must be in Canada when you apply
- Must have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC — drawn from the 2020 pool
- Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past 3 consecutive tax years (see calculator below)
- Not receiving social assistance (except for disability)
- Sign a 20-year financial undertaking (10 years in Quebec)
If your income alone does not meet the MNI, your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign and combine incomes. No other person (sibling, parent, friend) can act as co-signer for PGP applications. Both you and the co-signer must submit 3 years of CRA Notices of Assessment.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) table — 2025 intake (outside Quebec)
The MNI is 130% of Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). You must meet this threshold for each of the 3 tax years before applying — it is not averaged. These figures apply for the 2025 intake (tax years 2022, 2023, 2024). Use our calculator below to check your eligibility.
| Family size (you + everyone you support + those you're sponsoring) | MNI 2024 (most recent year) | MNI 2023 | MNI 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | $40,379 | $37,793 | $36,409 |
| 3 persons | $52,365 | $49,106 | $47,292 |
| 4 persons | $63,276 | $59,301 | $57,145 |
| 5 persons | $71,782 | $67,270 | $64,844 |
| 6 persons | $80,973 | $75,840 | $73,090 |
| 7 or more persons | $90,164 | $84,409 | $81,336 |
Source: IRCC Guide 5772. Quebec has separate income requirements assessed by MIFI. Social assistance income is not counted. Foreign income is not counted. Verify current figures at canada.ca before applying.
PGP process — when the intake reopens
IRCC opens Interest to Sponsor (ITS) window
Watch for IRCC announcements. When a new ITS window opens, submit your Interest to Sponsor form during the limited intake period. Submission is free and does not guarantee selection.
Random lottery selection — receive ITA
IRCC randomly selects sponsors from the pool and sends Invitations to Apply. Selection is based on a lottery, not on merit or order of submission. Being eligible does not guarantee selection.
Submit complete application within 60 days
Once invited, you typically have 60 days to submit your complete package — sponsor application, PR application for parent(s), police certificates, medical exams, proof of income (3 years of NOAs), relationship documents. Start gathering documents immediately — do not wait for the ITA.
IRCC reviews — approximately 24 months outside Quebec
IRCC assesses sponsor eligibility (including MNI), principal applicant admissibility, and all supporting documents. Processing is approximately 24 months outside Quebec and 48 months in Quebec due to the additional provincial MIFI assessment.
Parents/grandparents land in Canada as permanent residents
On approval, parents receive COPR and PR visa. They must land in Canada before the visa expires to activate their permanent residence. They will have full PR rights: live, work, and access healthcare.
Free Family Sponsorship Eligibility Calculator
Use the tabs below to check your eligibility for spousal sponsorship (inland or outland) or to calculate whether you meet the Minimum Necessary Income for Parents and Grandparents sponsorship. These tools are estimates — always verify with an RCIC.
This calculator helps you estimate your Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for PGP sponsorship, based on your family size. Enter your details to see the required income thresholds for each of the 3 tax years assessed.
This calculator provides an estimate only. Results are based on the 2025 intake MNI table (outside Quebec). Quebec uses separate income requirements assessed by MIFI. Always verify with an RCIC before applying.
Super Visa — extended visits while waiting for PGP
If you missed the 2020 Interest to Sponsor window, or if your parents simply cannot wait years for the PGP lottery, the Super Visa is Canada's best alternative for long-term family visits.
Your parents or grandparents can stay up to 5 years per visit
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. Unlike a standard visitor visa (6 months max per stay), the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay up to 5 years at a time — making it an excellent bridge while PGP is processed or while waiting for the next intake.
- Parent or grandparent of Canadian citizen or PR
- Outside Canada when applying
- Valid Canadian health insurance (min $100,000, 1 year)
- Immigration medical exam
- Ties to home country to ensure departure
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Meet MNI (LICO) for total family size including visiting parents
- Proof of income: CRA NOA, pay stubs, letter from employer
- Invitation letter confirming willingness to host
- No minimum income for just 1 parent — varies by family size
- No lottery — apply anytime, approval based on eligibility
- 5-year stays per entry — far longer than visitor visa
- Can be renewed multiple times during 10-year visa validity
- Excellent bridge while PGP intake is paused or pending
Ready to bring your family to Canada? Let's start here.
Whether you're sponsoring a spouse or waiting for the PGP lottery — our RCIC will map the right path for your specific situation, advise on inland vs. outland, calculate your MNI, and prepare a complete application strategy.
Litmus Immigration Services Inc. · Calgary, Alberta · Harikrishnan Nair RCIC R731549 · CICC Member · CAPIC Member