You can’t sponsor your spouse, partner or child if:

• you’re less than 18 years old
• you won’t live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents
• you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit
  your permanent residence application is still in process
• You must have permanent resident status at the time you submit your sponsorship application.
  you don’t have enough money to support the persons you want to sponsor (if applicable)

You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner if you:

• were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
• are still financially responsible for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored
• you have already applied to sponsor the spouse, parent or child you are currently seeking to sponsor and a decision on that application hasn’t been made
• are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary
• didn’t pay back:an immigration loan,a performance bond or court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
• didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
• declared bankruptcy and are not discharged (not applicable if you live in Quebec)
• receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• you were convicted of attempting, threatening to commit or committing a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada
• can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a Removal Order

ELIGIBILITY

You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents if

• you’re invited to apply
• you’re at least 18 years old
• you live in Canada
• you’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• you have enough money to support the people you want to sponsor
• you meet all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

You can’t sponsor your parents and grandparents if

• you haven’t been invited to apply
• you’re less than 18 years old
• you won’t live in Canada when you apply to sponsor your parents and grandparents and/or when your parents and grandparents become permanent residents
• you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
• you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit
  your permanent residence application is still in process
• You must have permanent resident status at the time you submit your sponsorship application
• your proof of income shows you don’t have enough money to support the people you want to sponsor

You may not be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents if you

• are in jail, prison or penitentiary
• didn’t pay back an immigration loan, a performance bond or court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child
• didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past
• declared bankruptcy and are not discharged
• receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada
• can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a Removal Order

The sponsorship agreement means :

• that you’ll provide for the basic needs of your sponsored family members, including
  • food
  • clothing
  • utilities
  • personal requirements
  • shelter
  • fuel
  • household supplies
  • health care not covered by public health insurance, such as eye and dental care
• the person you sponsor will make every effort to support themselves and their family members

This agreement is still valid, and you must still cover basic needs for the period it covers, even in the case of

• marriage ending,
• separation or divorce
• family rifts
• unemployment
• change in finances
• death of the main applicant, if you also sponsor their family members

When you apply, you’ll have to complete and sign a form that includes the undertaking and the sponsorship agreement.

The “length of undertaking” is the time period you’re financially responsible for the person you sponsor. It starts on the day the person you sponsor becomes a permanent resident.