If the sponsor is not eligible (for example, does not meet the income requirements or has received public assistance), they may not be approved to sponsor. In some cases, the sponsor may need to find a co-signer, usually a spouse or partner, to share the financial responsibility.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Canada’s family sponsorship program is known for its progressive immigration policies. One of the most popular pathways is through spousal sponsorship, which allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence. The process is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and involves multiple steps and strict requirements to ensure the integrity of the relationship and the well-being of all parties involved.
Eligibility
The first step in the spousal sponsorship process is to determine eligibility. Sponsors must be at least 18 years old, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and not receive public assistance for reasons other than disability. In addition, they must demonstrate the financial ability to meet the basic needs of their spouse or common-law partner. The spouse must be legally married to the sponsor and the marriage must be valid under Canadian law as well as the laws of the country where it took place. Common-law partners must have lived together with the sponsor continuously for at least one year. When a sponsored spouse comes to Canada, they will be granted permanent resident status. However, this status initially comes with conditions. For example, there is a period of financial responsibility for the sponsor, usually three years from the spouse’s arrival in Canada to ensure they do not need to seek financial support. The relationship must be shown to be genuine at the time of application and not primarily for immigration purposes. IRCC will conduct thorough checks, including interviews and document reviews, to prevent fraudulent applications.
Find a professional representative
The spousal sponsorship process can be complex and time-consuming. To ensure a smoother process and increase your chances of success, our legal team is here to assist you throughout the process. We provide support by liaising with government officials, helping to prepare all necessary documentation correctly and addressing any concerns that may arise during the application process. With our expertise in immigration law, we can provide strategic guidance and representation, significantly increasing your chances of achieving a favorable outcome in your spousal sponsorship application.
Founders

Mr. Nissim Debabani, the founder of Global Citizens Asia, is a citizen of Canada and Israel. He has successfully connected startups in Israel with IT companies in Vietnam, helping Vietnamese entrepreneurs secure opportunities for permanent residency.
Mr. Nissim Debabani
Chairman
Mr. Trần Văn Hùng, co-founder of GCA, holds a master's degree in BA and has over 16 years of experience in Immigration, Education, and Finance. He is the Director of TOP - Education in Hai Phong, specializing in providing professional settlement solutions.
Mr. Tran Van Hung
CEOMs. Yen Dao
Managing DirectorAlireza Motahari
Immigration ConsultantGiovanni Mariella
Immigration ConsultantJaehyun Park
Immigration ConsultantOUR WORKING PROCESS
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After signing the contract, the client receives a list of required documents and a personal information form, including relationship information.
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The guarantee application must be submitted within two months of signing the contract.
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Once the application is approved, the sponsor and the sponsored person will receive permanent residency in Canada.
PAYMENT PROCESS
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This amount is paid immediately after the contract is signed between the customer (guarantor) and the service provider.
After signing the contract and making the first payment, the customer will receive a list of required documents and a personal information form, focusing on the details of the relationship between the guarantor and the sponsored person.
$3,000 USD
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This fee is payable one month after the first payment.
This fee is to continue the application preparation process, ensuring that the necessary documents and information from both the sponsor and the sponsored person are collected and processed properly.
$2,000 USD
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This payment is due two months after the first payment.
This is the final fee to complete the preparation and submission of the sponsorship application to the Canadian immigration authorities. Once the application is submitted, the client will begin the process of waiting for the results.
$2,000 USD
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the family sponsorship program in Canada?
The Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members to come to Canada for permanent residence. Eligible sponsors include spouses, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and in some special cases, siblings or other relatives.
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Who can sponsor under this program?
To be eligible to sponsor, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, at least 18 years of age, and have the financial ability to support your relative during the commitment period.
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Who can be sponsored?
Individuals who can be sponsored include:
- Spouse or common-law partner living together for at least 12 months.
- Dependent children under 22 years old (with exceptions for special cases).
- Parents and grandparents (subject to special conditions and limits on the number).
- Other family members only in exceptional cases, such as if you have no other family members who can be sponsored.
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How long does it take to process a family sponsorship application?
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How much does it cost to sponsor a family member?
The main costs include the immigration processing fee, the right of permanent residence fee, and the biometrics fee. The total cost ranges from CAD 1,050 to CAD 1,570 per sponsored person, depending on the type of sponsorship.
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What financial responsibilities does the sponsor have to the sponsored person?
The sponsor must commit to providing financial support for the sponsored individual for a specified period. The duration of support depends on the relationship:
- Spouse or partner: 3 years.
- Dependent children: 10 years or until the child turns 25 (whichever comes first).
- Parents and grandparents: 20 years.
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Are there income requirements to sponsor family members?
There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring spouses and dependent children. However, to sponsor parents and grandparents, the sponsor must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement for the three years prior to filing and must demonstrate the financial ability to support the sponsored person.
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What if the sponsor is not eligible?
Clients talk about us
Awesome service, very helpful, very nice people! Highly recommend!
it has been mavelous experience full of dedication, support and more so professionalism kudos GCA family
My case officer. GCA was very patient and understanding with me.
Great experience! Tyler James my case officer was very efficient and quick to respond to my queries.
So far I will say is a great experience talking to them. Especially Monty how she handle situations and am happy with it so far.
Good customer service by Linda. Friendly and well-versed in giving me instructions on what's needed for the process.