Sponsoring a parent or grandparent

If you would like to sponsor your parents or grandparents to immigrate to Canada, you must complete an application to sponsor, promising to support your parents or grandparents. You must sign an undertaking with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration promising to provide financial support for their basic requirements and those of their family members immigrating to Canada with them.

Basic requirements are food, clothing, shelter and other basic requirements for everyday living. Dental care, eye care, and other health needs not covered by public health services are also included. The undertaking ensures these persons and their family members do not have to apply for social assistance.

If payments from a federal, provincial or municipal assistance program are made to the person you are sponsoring or his or her family members, during the validity period of the undertaking, you:

• will be considered to be in default of your obligations,
• may have to repay to the government concerned any benefits they received, and
• will not be allowed to sponsor other members of the family class until you have reimbursed the amount of these payments to the government concerned.

Your obligation as a sponsor begins as soon as the person you are sponsoring, and, if applicable, his or her family members, arrive in Canada. Your obligation to your parents or grandparents ends 10 years after they become Permanent Residents.

You must prove that you have an annual income that is at least equal to the minimum necessary income required to support the group of persons consisting of:

• you and your family members
• the person you are sponsoring and his or her family members
• every person for whom you have signed an undertaking which is still in effect or not yet in effect

You must provide evidence of your earnings in Canada for the last 12 months preceding the date of your application. Therefore, it is difficult to submit a successful application unless you have earned enough income in Canada for at least a year. It does not depend on how much money you have brought with you to Canada; only on how much income you have earned in Canada.

At this time (until December 31, 2011) the minimum income earned in Canada is:
Size of family unit  - Minimum necessary income

1  -  $22,229
2  -  $27,674
3  -  $34,022
4  -  $41,307
5  -  $46,850
6  -  $52,838
7  -  $58,827

Please add $5,989 for each additional family member. This includes your own family members, and your parents with dependent children.

If you do not earn enough income to meet the minimum income amounts as shown, your application will be refused and you will be notified of your right to appeal by the visa office. You will receive an appointment date when you can discuss your application; you may have an opportunity to have your application accepted.

If your application for sponsorship is approved at the Case Processing Centre in Canada, then you must also complete an application for your parents. Your parents will have to undergo medical examinations, have valid police certificates showing no record, and may be required to attend an interview. The Visa office will then make a decision as to whether you are capable of carrying out the responsibilities of your sponsorship. The Visa office will approve or deny your application, and you and your parents will receive a letter from the Visa office.

• Sponsoring an eligible relative: Parents, Grandparents