What Happened to the 2025 Intake

The PGP intake this post originally covered did go ahead in 2025, just later than planned:

• IRCC began inviting sponsors from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool starting July 28, 2025.
• It issued 17,860 invitations over about two weeks, aiming to land roughly 10,000 complete applications.
• The deadline to submit a complete application was October 9, 2025. IRCC is no longer accepting applications from that round.

If you received an invitation and missed the deadline, or were never invited, you cannot submit a new PGP application right now — there is currently no public Interest to Sponsor form open, including for people who never submitted one back in 2020.

Is There a 2026 PGP Intake?

Not yet, and IRCC hasn’t confirmed when one might open. The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan does allocate 15,000 Parents and Grandparents admissions per year for 2026, 2027, and 2028 — down from the 24,500 originally targeted for 2025 — but a planned admissions number is not the same as a new intake. Those 15,000 spots can be filled entirely by applications already in process from prior intakes. Watch IRCC’s official PGP page directly for any new intake announcement.

The Super Visa: Your Current Alternative

Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa doesn’t grant permanent residence — it’s a long-stay temporary visa, but it has no annual quota and remains open year-round.

• Duration: up to 5 years per visit, with multiple entries over a 10-year validity period; a 2-year extension can be requested from within Canada.
• Sponsor income requirements (2026 LICO thresholds): roughly $41,000 for a household of 2, $50,000 for 3, $61,000 for 4, and $69,000 for 5 — confirm the exact current figures for your household size on IRCC’s site, since these are updated annually.
• Major change effective March 31, 2026: sponsors can now meet the income requirement using either of the two tax years preceding their application (not just the most recent one), and if Canadian income falls slightly short, it may be combined with the visiting parent’s own verifiable foreign income.
• Insurance: a minimum of $100,000 CAD in coverage for at least one year, from a Canadian or IRCC-approved foreign insurer, typically costing $1,200–$3,500 CAD per year depending on the applicant’s age and health.
• Processing time: varies significantly by visa office; check IRCC’s live processing time tool rather than relying on a fixed estimate, since recent figures have ranged from roughly 6 weeks to several months.

Other Options While PGP Is Closed

• Regular visitor visa: for shorter stays (typically up to 6 months), costing $100 CAD per person or $500 CAD for a family of up to five — no income test or insurance requirement, but no multi-year stay either.
• Keep your contact details current with IRCC if you’re still in the 2020 pool, in case any further invitations are issued from it in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the Parents and Grandparents Program right now?

No. IRCC stopped accepting new PGP applications as of January 1, 2026, and hasn’t confirmed when the program will reopen.

I’m in the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool but wasn’t invited in 2025 — what happens now?

There’s no confirmed timeline for further invitations from that pool. Keep your contact information current with IRCC and watch for official announcements.

What’s the fastest way to reunite with my parents while PGP is closed?

The Super Visa is the most practical option for extended stays, since it has no annual quota and remains open continuously.

Did the Super Visa income rules change recently?

Yes. As of March 31, 2026, sponsors can qualify using either of the two most recent tax years, and may combine their Canadian income with the visiting parent’s own foreign income if needed.

Does the Super Visa lead to permanent residence?

No. It’s a long-stay temporary resident visa only. Permanent residence for parents and grandparents requires a future PGP intake.

Conclusion

The Parents and Grandparents Program is currently closed to new applicants, with no confirmed 2026 reopening date, even though the federal government has budgeted admissions for the program through 2028. Until a new intake is announced, the Super Visa remains the most realistic way to bring parents or grandparents to Canada for an extended stay. Check the official IRCC Parents and Grandparents Program page directly for any updates.

If you and your partner are not married and have not lived together for a continuous year, you may be wondering whether conjugal sponsorship is your answer. In most cases, it is not — and applying under the wrong category is a direct path to refusal. This post explains what each category actually means, where the line between them falls, what evidence each requires, and what happens when your circumstances genuinely require the conjugal stream. Common-Law Partnership vs Conjugal Sponsorship

The three relationship categories in Canadian immigration

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRCC recognises relationships in three ways for sponsorship purposes:

Spouse — a person you are legally married to. The marriage must be valid under the law of the jurisdiction where it occurred and recognised under Canadian law. IRCC does not recognise proxy marriages, telephone marriages, internet marriages, or marriages by fax, unless both people were physically present at the ceremony. This category applies equally to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.

Common-law partner — a person who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, without a formal marriage. Under the IRPA, common-law partners have the same legal status as spouses for immigration purposes. The 12 months must be continuous — meaning you were living together as a household, not visiting or in a long-distance relationship.

Conjugal partner — a person you have been in a committed, marriage-like relationship with for at least one year, but whom you have been unable to live with or marry due to genuine barriers that are beyond your control. This is the most restricted category and exists specifically for situations where neither marriage nor cohabitation was possible.

All three categories apply equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The choice between them is not a preference — it is determined by the actual facts of your relationship.

Common-law partnership: what it actually requires

The legal threshold for common-law status in Canadian immigration is 12 consecutive months of cohabitation in a conjugal relationship. Every word in that definition carries weight.

12 consecutive months means an unbroken period of living together. Short gaps — a work trip, a holiday, a medical stay — do not necessarily break the period, provided the absence was temporary and the shared home remained intact. However, a period where one partner moved out, returned to their home country, or maintained a separate primary residence does not count toward the 12 months. The clock resets.

Cohabitation means sharing a home as a household — not visiting, not staying for extended periods while maintaining a separate primary address, and not living in separate units in the same building. The home you share must genuinely be the primary residence for both of you.

Conjugal relationship means the relationship has the essential characteristics of marriage: emotional commitment, exclusivity, shared finances, physical intimacy, and mutual support. IRCC is assessing whether the relationship is functionally equivalent to a marriage, not just whether two people have lived at the same address.

One common misunderstanding: a long-distance relationship of any length — even years of commitment, regular visits, and deep emotional investment — does not qualify as common-law. If you have never lived together for a continuous year, you are not common-law partners under IRCC’s definition. Period.

If your partner is currently outside Canada but you previously lived together for 12 continuous months, you can still sponsor them as a common-law partner — the 12 months do not need to be recent or ongoing at the time of application, provided the relationship is still genuine.

Conjugal partnership: what it actually is — and what it is not

The conjugal partner category was created for a very specific situation: couples in genuine, committed, marriage-like relationships who have been together for at least one year but have been prevented from living together or marrying by circumstances entirely outside their control.

IRCC’s guidance is explicit: conjugal partnership is a category of last resort. It is not for couples who chose not to live together. It is not for couples who could have married but preferred to wait. It is not for couples in long-distance relationships who simply haven’t had the opportunity yet. It is specifically for couples who genuinely could not achieve either cohabitation or marriage due to identifiable, documented barriers.

What qualifies as a barrier

IRCC recognises several types of genuine barriers:

Immigration restrictions — one partner cannot enter the other’s country due to visa refusals or inadmissibility, making it impossible to establish a shared residence even temporarily.

Legal barriers to marriage — the partner’s home country does not recognise the type of marriage (for example, same-sex marriage is illegal in that jurisdiction and the couple cannot legally marry there or travel to a jurisdiction where they could).

Religious or cultural prohibition — in rare cases, a genuine religious or cultural prohibition that prevents both marriage and cohabitation, with clear documentation.

Persecution risk — being together openly would expose one or both partners to serious risk of persecution, such as in countries that criminalise same-sex relationships.

The critical standard: IRCC assesses whether you tried and were prevented, not whether you preferred not to. If the barrier is one of inconvenience, distance, or choice — rather than legal or structural impossibility — the conjugal category does not apply.

What does not qualify as a barrier

The following are not accepted as conjugal barriers:

• A long-distance relationship where both partners had valid travel options but chose not to live together
• Not yet being ready to commit to shared living
• Immigration uncertainty (being unsure of the future) as a reason not to establish cohabitation
• Visa difficulties that were not definitively refused — only a concrete, documented refusal or legal inadmissibility qualifies
• COVID-19 travel restrictions as of 2025, as those restrictions have been lifted

If IRCC determines that the couple could have lived together or married but chose not to, the application is refused on the basis that the relationship does not meet the conjugal definition. The word used in refusals is “choice” versus “impossibility” — and officers look very carefully for evidence that the barrier was genuine.

The inland rule: why conjugal applicants cannot use the inland route

This is one of the most practically significant differences between the two categories.

Common-law partners can apply under either inland sponsorship (if the partner is in Canada) or outland sponsorship (if the partner is abroad or the couple chooses the Family Class route).

Conjugal partners can only apply through the outland route. There is no inland conjugal sponsorship stream. The reason is structural: the conjugal category exists for partners who have not been able to establish a shared life together. If a conjugal partner is already living in Canada with the sponsor, they would typically be able to demonstrate either common-law status or qualify for a different category. The outland-only rule reflects the reality that conjugal partnerships, by definition, involve partners separated by genuine barriers.

This means that if your partner is currently in Canada and you are considering conjugal sponsorship, you need to reconsider the category. If your partner is in Canada, cohabitation is possible — and if you have been living together for 12 months, you qualify as common-law instead.

It also means that the Spousal Open Work Permit — available to inland common-law partners relatively early in the process — is not available under the conjugal class. Your partner cannot apply for an open work permit until they become a permanent resident.

Evidence: what each category requires

Both categories require evidence of a genuine relationship, but the nature and focus of that evidence differs significantly.

For common-law partnerships

The foundation of a common-law application is proof of 12 consecutive months of cohabitation. Officers are looking for a paper trail of shared domestic life — not romance and commitment, but shared logistics. The strongest evidence includes:

• Joint lease or joint mortgage with both names, covering the full 12-month period
• Utility bills (electricity, gas, internet) addressed to both partners or to one partner at the shared address
• Bank statements showing the shared address as the registered address for both partners
• Joint bank account or joint credit card
• Insurance policies (car, renter’s, health) listing both partners or the shared address
• Government-issued correspondence (tax documents, voter registration) showing the shared address
• Employer correspondence or employment records showing the shared address

Supporting this cohabitation evidence with evidence of the relationship itself — photos together, communication records, evidence of shared activities, affidavits from people who know you as a couple — strengthens the application but does not substitute for the cohabitation documentation.

Gaps in cohabitation must be explained. If the 12-month period included periods of separation, provide documentation of the reason (work assignment, family emergency) and evidence that the relationship and shared home continued during that time.

For conjugal partnerships

A conjugal application has two distinct evidentiary burdens, both of which must be met:

1. Proof of a genuine, committed, one-year relationship. This is similar to what any sponsorship category requires — correspondence, photos, evidence of visits, financial interdependence, affidavits from people who know the couple, and documentation of the relationship’s history and depth.

2. Proof of the specific barrier that prevented cohabitation and marriage. This is where conjugal applications succeed or fail. Officers want to see the specific, documented barrier — not a general statement that living together was difficult. Acceptable barrier evidence includes:

• Visa refusal letters documenting that one partner could not enter the other’s country
• Documentation of immigration status or restrictions that prevented entry
• Country condition reports or legal documentation confirming that marriage is not legally available (for same-sex couples in countries where it is prohibited)
• Correspondence demonstrating attempts to visit, live together, or marry, with documentation of why each attempt was unsuccessful
• Expert evidence or country condition reports linking persecution risk to the couple’s situation

IRCC will also look for evidence that the couple communicated their commitment to each other — that the relationship has the depth and mutual investment that would normally be reflected in marriage or cohabitation, despite those not being possible.

The key mistake in conjugal applications is relying on a standard relationship evidence package without addressing the barrier. Officers reviewing conjugal files are specifically looking for the barrier documentation. Without it, the application fails regardless of how genuine the relationship is.

Refusal rates and scrutiny levels

This is not a minor practical difference. The conjugal stream has a historically high refusal rate — estimated at 25 to 30 percent — compared to below 10 percent for spousal and common-law applications.

The primary driver of conjugal refusals is insufficient or unconvincing barrier evidence. The second most common issue is officers concluding that the couple had the ability to live together or marry but chose not to — reclassifying the barrier as a preference rather than a genuine obstacle.

Common-law refusals more often arise from insufficient cohabitation evidence — particularly when couples did not maintain the kind of documentary trail that IRCC expects, either because they didn’t know they needed it or because their shared life didn’t generate the typical paper evidence (cash payments for rent, utilities in one name only, one partner not officially changing their registered address).

Both categories can also face genuineness concerns if the relationship evidence is thin or the relationship appears to have escalated rapidly in proximity to an immigration application.

Can you switch categories mid-application?

Yes. If you apply as a conjugal partner and subsequently marry or establish cohabitation with your partner, you should notify IRCC immediately and file an updated marriage certificate or cohabitation evidence. IRCC can convert the application to the spousal or common-law category, which typically improves the application’s position and removes the conjugal barrier burden.

Similarly, if you begin an application as a common-law partner and marry during processing, notify IRCC and submit the marriage certificate. The application can be updated to reflect the new spousal status.

Which category applies to you: a decision framework

Work through these questions in order:

Are you legally married? If yes: spousal category. Stop here.

Have you lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a shared home? If yes: common-law category. Stop here.

Have you been in a committed relationship for at least one year, and were you specifically prevented from living together or marrying by a documented legal, immigration, or structural barrier you could not overcome? If yes: conjugal category may apply. If the reason you haven’t lived together is distance, preference, uncertainty, or lack of opportunity — not an identifiable, documented barrier — conjugal does not apply.

If none of the above apply: You are not currently eligible for any of the three sponsorship categories under Canadian family class immigration. Options may include working toward eligibility — establishing cohabitation, pursuing marriage, or waiting until the relationship meets the threshold — or exploring temporary pathways while eligibility develops.

Key takeaways

Common-law status requires 12 consecutive months of genuine cohabitation in a shared home. A long-term relationship without that period of shared residence, however deep and committed, does not qualify.

Conjugal partnership is a category of last resort for couples genuinely prevented from living together or marrying by documented barriers. It is not for couples who have not yet had the opportunity to live together.

Conjugal applicants must apply through the outland route only. Inland sponsorship is not available for conjugal partnerships, and no Spousal Open Work Permit is available until permanent residence is approved.

The conjugal refusal rate — historically 25 to 30 percent — is significantly higher than for spousal or common-law applications, driven primarily by insufficient or unconvincing barrier documentation.

Applying under the wrong category is a direct path to refusal. Confirming which category genuinely applies to your relationship before submitting is the single most important step in the process.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. IRCC definitions and requirements are subject to change — always verify current requirements at canada.ca. For complex cases — including those involving documented persecution risk, immigration inadmissibility, or ambiguous cohabitation history — consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer before applying.

It is also one of the most document-intensive applications in the Canadian immigration system. Relationship genuineness is scrutinised carefully. Processing times vary significantly between inland and outland routes. And in 2025, new restrictions and a Quebec intake cap added complexity for some applicants.

This guide covers who can sponsor, who can be sponsored, which route to choose, what documents you need, what it costs, and how long to expect.

Who can be a sponsor

To sponsor a spouse or partner for Canadian permanent residence, you must meet all of the following conditions:

Status: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act. Canadian citizens living outside Canada can sponsor their spouse, provided they commit to returning to Canada once the sponsorship is approved. Permanent residents must be living in Canada to sponsor — a permanent resident who lives abroad cannot sponsor a spouse.

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

Financial undertaking: You must sign a legally binding undertaking — a promise to provide for your sponsored partner’s basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public services. In most spousal sponsorship cases, there is no minimum income requirement. The undertaking lasts three years from the date your partner becomes a permanent resident (in all provinces except Quebec, which has a different undertaking length).

Not in default: You cannot sponsor if you previously sponsored someone and failed to meet the financial commitments of that undertaking — unless you are now sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child.

Not bankrupt: You cannot currently be in undischarged bankruptcy. This restriction does not apply in Quebec if you are sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child.

Not receiving social assistance: You must not be receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability.

No disqualifying criminal history: A conviction for a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm, or a sexual offence — whether in Canada or abroad — disqualifies you from sponsoring.

No removal order: You must not be subject to a removal order requiring you to leave Canada.

Who can be sponsored

You can sponsor someone who falls into one of three relationship categories:

Legally married spouse. The marriage must be legally valid where it took place and recognised under Canadian law. You need an official marriage certificate issued by the government authority where the marriage occurred — a record of solemnisation or a marriage licence alone is not accepted. The relationship must be genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes.

Common-law partner. A common-law partner is someone who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months without interruption. You need documented evidence of continuous cohabitation — joint leases, shared utility bills, combined financial accounts, or similar records covering the full 12-month period.

Conjugal partner. A conjugal partner is someone who has been in a committed relationship with you for at least one year but is unable to live with you or marry you due to significant legal or immigration barriers — for example, their home country does not grant divorce, or immigration restrictions prevented cohabitation. Conjugal partnerships require the most evidence and must demonstrate that the barriers to cohabitation are genuine and beyond your control. Conjugal partners must apply through the outland route.

Dependent children of the sponsored person can also be included in the application, provided they meet IRCC’s definition of dependant (generally under 22, or older with a permanent physical or mental condition).

Inland vs outland: the most important decision you will make

Spousal sponsorship applications can be filed through two distinct routes, and the choice between them affects processing time, the right of appeal, your partner’s ability to remain in Canada during processing, and what happens if something goes wrong.

Inland sponsorship (Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class)

Inland sponsorship is for couples where the sponsored person is currently in Canada and living with the sponsor. The sponsored person must be physically in Canada when the application is submitted and must maintain their status throughout processing.

The primary advantage is access to a Spousal Open Work Permit. Once IRCC issues an Acknowledgment of Receipt confirming the application is complete, the sponsored person can apply for an open work permit — typically issued within three to four months — allowing them to work for any eligible employer in Canada while waiting for permanent residence. This is financially significant for couples who cannot afford a period without income.

The significant disadvantage is that if the inland application is refused, there is no right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. The only recourse is an expensive and time-consuming judicial review. This makes inland applications less forgiving of errors or genuineness concerns.

A critical practical constraint: if the sponsored person leaves Canada after the inland application is submitted and is denied re-entry, the application is cancelled — not paused or transferred to an outland file. IRCC must remain the primary place of residence for both parties throughout processing.

Current official processing time for inland sponsorship: approximately 24 months as of 2025.

Outland sponsorship (Family Class)

Outland sponsorship is for couples where the sponsored person lives outside Canada, or where the sponsor chooses to apply through the Family Class even though the partner is in Canada. Outland applications do not require the sponsored person to be in Canada during processing.

The primary advantage is the right of appeal. If an outland application is refused, the sponsor can appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. This is a meaningful protection for cases where the officer’s assessment of genuineness is disputed.

Outland applications can also be filed from within Canada — this is a commonly misunderstood point. A couple where the partner is already in Canada on a visitor visa can file an outland application, and the partner can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit using the same process as inland applicants, provided they have a valid Acknowledgment of Receipt and maintain valid temporary status in Canada.

Current official processing time for outland sponsorship: approximately 15 months as of 2025.

The gap between the two timelines — 15 months outland versus 24 months inland — means many couples choose outland even when inland would technically be available. The right of appeal and faster processing timeline are the primary reasons.

Documents required

Spousal sponsorship is a dual-package application: the sponsor submits a sponsorship application, and the sponsored person submits a permanent residence application. Both are submitted together.

Sponsor’s documents

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card)
• Completed sponsorship forms: IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor) and IMM 5532 (Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation)
• Proof of identity (passport biographical page)
• Birth certificate
• If previously married: divorce certificate or death certificate of prior spouse
• Financial documents (tax assessments, employment letters, or bank statements) — to demonstrate general financial capacity, even though no minimum income threshold applies for spousal cases

Sponsored person’s documents

• Valid passport (all pages, not just biographical page)
• Birth certificate
• National identity card
• Two passport-size photos meeting IRCC specifications
• Police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for six months or more since age 18 — see IRCC’s country-specific requirements for the correct certificate type for each country
• Immigration medical exam results from an IRCC-approved panel physician (valid for 12 months from the date of the exam)
• Biometrics — must be provided with the PR application regardless of previous biometric submissions

Relationship evidence — the most important part of your package

IRCC assesses whether your relationship is genuine and whether it was entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Officers look for evidence of an authentic, ongoing relationship — not a checklist of documents. The strongest applications show the relationship’s full history: how you met, how it developed, how you communicate, and how you have shared your lives.

Acceptable relationship evidence includes:

For married couples: Official marriage certificate issued by the government authority where the marriage occurred. Wedding photos across the ceremony and reception. Correspondence — messages, emails, call logs. Evidence of shared finances: joint bank accounts, joint credit cards, shared bills. Shared residence documents: joint lease, joint mortgage, joint utility bills with both names. Travel records showing visits. Affidavits from family and friends attesting to the relationship.

For common-law partners: Proof of 12 consecutive months of cohabitation is the foundation. Joint lease or mortgage showing both names and covering the full period. Utility bills, insurance policies, or bank statements showing the shared address over time. Evidence of a shared life: joint accounts, shared financial obligations, shared travel. Statutory declarations confirming cohabitation from both partners.

For conjugal partners: Evidence of the relationship’s duration and depth — correspondence records, photos, documentation of visits. Clear explanation of the specific legal or immigration barriers that prevent cohabitation or marriage. Supporting documentation of those barriers, such as immigration restrictions or legal status in the home country.

A key IRCC rule: marriage certificates must show the marriage was legally registered with the government. A record of solemnisation or a marriage licence alone is not sufficient. Country-specific requirements apply — check IRCC’s country-specific instructions before gathering marriage documentation.

Translation requirements

All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by: the original document, a complete certified translation into English or French, and the translator’s signed affidavit attesting to their proficiency and the accuracy of the translation. Translation by family members is not acceptable.

Fees (as of 2025)

The government fees for a spousal sponsorship application (spouse with no dependent children) break down as follows:

The Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($575) is the only refundable fee — it is returned if the application is refused or withdrawn. The sponsorship fee, processing fee, and biometrics fee are non-refundable once IRCC begins processing.

Note: a fee increase for permanent residence applications took effect on April 30, 2026. Verify the current fee schedule at canada.ca before submitting.

Additional third-party costs to budget for:

• Immigration medical exam: approximately $175–$500 CAD depending on country of residence and clinic
• Police certificates: vary by country, typically $25–$150 per certificate
• Certified translations: approximately $30–$80 per page

Quebec residents: An additional provincial undertaking fee applies. As of early 2026, Quebec has also reached its intake cap for undertaking applications for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18 or older — no new undertaking applications are being accepted until June 25, 2026. Quebec residents affected by this cap cannot proceed with the federal application until the provincial step is available. Do not pay federal IRCC fees without a clear plan for the Quebec undertaking step.

Processing times

Official IRCC processing times as of 2025–2026:

These figures represent the time by which 80% of complete applications are processed. They are not guarantees or maximums. Processing times shift with application volumes, staffing, and IRCC priorities.

For inland applicants, the practical timeline to a Spousal Open Work Permit runs approximately three to four months from the Acknowledgment of Receipt, which typically arrives four to eight weeks after submission. This means income can typically resume within five to six months of submitting the application.

Outland applicants whose partners are outside Canada can apply for an expedited visitor visa to enter Canada during processing. Partners with an AOR may be eligible for faster processing of visitor visa applications, though approval is not guaranteed — the applicant must still demonstrate visitor visa eligibility including ties to the home country.

Genuineness interviews — what to expect

IRCC has increased the frequency of genuineness interviews, particularly for applications from regions historically associated with higher rates of immigration fraud. These interviews are typically conducted virtually.

If an interview is requested, both partners may be asked questions separately about their relationship, daily life, routines, family details, how they met, and plans for the future. The questions probe for consistency — inconsistent answers between partners are treated as a concern even when the inconsistency is innocent.

Preparation helps. Review your relationship timeline, significant dates, details of how you met, key family members on both sides, and your communication habits. Bring all relationship evidence documents to the interview.

Sponsor’s undertaking obligations — what you’re committing to

Signing the sponsorship undertaking is a legally binding commitment. If your sponsored partner receives any social assistance from a provincial government during the undertaking period, you may be required to repay it.

The undertaking period for spousal sponsorship is three years from the date the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident, in all provinces except Quebec (which has its own undertaking length under provincial rules).

The undertaking does not end if the relationship ends. Separation or divorce after PR is granted does not relieve you of the undertaking obligation. The three-year clock runs from landing date regardless of relationship status.

Common reasons for refusal

Genuineness concerns are the most frequent basis for refusal. IRCC may question the relationship if evidence is thin, inconsistent, or does not reflect a shared life. Generic or formulaic relationship statements are treated as a concern rather than as evidence.

Incomplete applications are a significant source of avoidable delays and returns. In 2025, more than one in four inland applications were returned as incomplete before an officer reviewed the relationship evidence — triggering months of delay and the loss of non-refundable fees. Every required document must be present, correctly formatted, and within its validity window before submission.

Misrepresentation — including inconsistencies between the sponsor’s profile and supporting documents — can result in a five-year bar on sponsoring or being sponsored.

Key takeaways

Spousal sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a legally married spouse, common-law partner (12 months cohabitation), or conjugal partner for permanent residence. Both parties must be 18 or older.

There is no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship in most cases, but the sponsor must sign a legally binding three-year financial undertaking.

The choice between inland and outland has major practical consequences: outland is faster (approximately 15 months), preserves the right of appeal, and does not require the partner to remain in Canada. Inland allows earlier access to a Spousal Open Work Permit but has no right of appeal and requires continuous residence in Canada.

Government fees total $1,290 for a spouse with no dependent children, plus third-party costs for medical exams, police certificates, and translations. The RPRF ($575) is the only refundable fee.

Relationship evidence is the core of the application. Genuine, detailed, chronological documentation of the relationship — not a minimum checklist — is what distinguishes successful applications from those that face scrutiny.

Quebec residents face a provincial intake cap through June 25, 2026. Do not submit federal fees without a plan for the provincial undertaking step.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Fees, processing times, and eligibility rules are subject to change — always verify current requirements at canada.ca. For complex situations including prior sponsorship history, criminal records, or previous refusals, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer.

What the process does require is precision. Age eligibility rules are strict and time-sensitive. The definition of “dependent” is more nuanced than most people expect. Documentation requirements are extensive. And several important rules — including what happens when your child approaches the age threshold and a specific Quebec intake freeze in 2025–2026 — can catch families off guard if they are not aware of them.

This guide walks through who qualifies as a dependent child, who can sponsor them, how the application works, what it costs, and the most important timing considerations to plan around.

Who qualifies as a dependent child

IRCC’s definition of a dependent child for immigration purposes rests on two criteria: age and marital status. Both must be met simultaneously.

Age: A child qualifies as a dependent if they are under 22 years old on the lock-in date. This age threshold applies to biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren alike. The current under-22 limit has been in place since October 24, 2017 — prior to that date, the limit was under 19.

Marital status: The child must not be married or in a common-law relationship at the time of the lock-in date. A child who marries or enters a common-law relationship during processing becomes ineligible, even if they were fully eligible when the application was submitted.

Both criteria must be met at the same time. A child who is 21 and unmarried qualifies. A child who is 20 and married does not.

The over-age exception

Children aged 22 or older can still qualify as dependants under a specific exception. To meet it, the child must satisfy all three of the following conditions:

• They have been continuously financially dependent on their parent since before they turned 22
• They are unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition
• That condition must be documented with medical evidence confirming both that it existed before age 22 and that it continues to prevent financial self-sufficiency

This exception is genuinely narrow. Being unemployed, being a student, or choosing to rely on parents does not qualify. The condition must be a genuine medical or psychological one that prevents the ability to earn income, and it must have pre-dated the age-22 threshold. Medical documentation from a licensed practitioner is required, and IRCC officers assess these cases carefully.

Biological, adopted, and stepchildren

All three types qualify under the program, provided the legal relationship is established and documented.

Biological children require a birth certificate naming the sponsor as the legal parent. In cases of disputed parentage or where a birth certificate does not exist, DNA testing may be required or voluntarily provided to establish the relationship.

Adopted children follow a separate, more complex process. The adoption must be legally finalised under both the laws of the country where the adoption occurred and Canadian law. IRCC will not process an adoption that was completed solely for immigration purposes — the adoption must have been conducted in the child’s best interests, meeting the criteria of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption where applicable. A separate guide (Guide 5196) applies to adopted children, and the sponsorship application for an adopted child must include the full adoption decree and documentation demonstrating compliance with both jurisdictions’ adoption laws.

Stepchildren qualify if the legal parental relationship was established before the child turned 18. A marriage certificate establishing the relationship between the sponsor and the child’s biological parent, plus the child’s birth certificate, are the primary documents needed to establish the stepparent relationship.

The lock-in date: the most important concept in child sponsorship

The lock-in date is the date IRCC receives a complete application for permanent residence. On that date, your child’s age is “frozen” for the duration of the processing period.

This means that if your child is 21 years and 11 months old when IRCC receives your complete application, they remain eligible as a dependent child even if they turn 22 the following month — and even if processing takes another year or two. The age on the lock-in date is the only age that matters.

The critical qualifier is complete. An application that is returned as incomplete — due to missing documents, unpaid fees, or improperly signed forms — does not benefit from the lock-in provision. The lock-in date only applies once IRCC has accepted the application as complete. If your application is returned and resubmitted, the new submission date becomes the lock-in date.

What else locks in on the lock-in date

Marital status also locks in on the same date. A child who is unmarried on the lock-in date remains eligible even if they marry during processing — but this is a nuanced point. If a child’s marital status changes during processing, the sponsor should seek advice on whether and how to notify IRCC, since the implications vary by circumstances.

One important warning: if a child is approaching the age-22 threshold, timing the submission of a complete application before that birthday is the single most urgent task in the entire process. Submitting an incomplete application that gets returned — even days before the birthday — can result in the child losing eligibility entirely.

Who can sponsor

To sponsor a dependent child for Canadian permanent residence, you must meet the following conditions:

Status: You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident currently living in Canada, or a person registered under the Indian Act. Permanent residents who live outside Canada cannot sponsor a dependent child — only Canadian citizens living abroad may do so, provided they demonstrate their intent to return to Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident.

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.

Not in default: You cannot have previously sponsored someone and failed to meet the financial commitments of that undertaking — unless you are now sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child (which are exempt from the default bar in most cases).

Not in undischarged bankruptcy.

Not subject to a removal order.

Not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.

No disqualifying criminal history: A conviction for a violent offence, an offence causing bodily harm to a relative, or a sexual offence may disqualify you from sponsoring.

Income requirements — when they apply and when they don’t

For most dependent child sponsorship cases, there is no minimum income requirement. This is a meaningful distinction from other sponsorship categories, such as parent and grandparent sponsorship, which have strict income thresholds.

The income requirement only applies in two specific situations:

1. You are sponsoring a dependent child who has one or more dependent children of their own
2. You are sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child, and that child also has dependent children

In these cases, you must demonstrate that your income meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement — calculated based on your total family size, using the Low-Income Cut-Off tables. The Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283) is required when the MNI threshold applies.

If your sponsored child has no children of their own, you do not need to show proof of income. You do, however, sign a financial undertaking committing to support their basic needs.

The financial undertaking

By signing the sponsorship undertaking, you legally commit to providing for your child’s basic needs — food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public health services — for the duration of the undertaking period.

For children under 22: The undertaking lasts 10 years from the date they become a permanent resident, or until they turn 25, whichever comes first.

For children 22 and over (over-age exception): The undertaking lasts 3 years from the date they become a permanent resident.

If your sponsored child receives provincial social assistance during the undertaking period, you may be required to repay it to the government. Until you repay it, you cannot sponsor any other person.

The application process step by step

Child sponsorship is a two-part application: the sponsor submits a sponsorship application, and the child submits a permanent residence application. Both are submitted simultaneously online through the IRCC portal.

Step 1 — Obtain the application package. Download the package from the IRCC website. It includes the instruction guide, all required forms, and a personalised document checklist. Read the checklist carefully — it is tailored to your specific situation and lists exactly which documents are required.

Step 2 — Gather documents. Collect all required documents before starting the forms. Missing documents are the most common reason applications are returned as incomplete.

Step 3 — Complete and sign all forms. Both the sponsor and the child (or their legal guardian if the child is a minor) must complete and digitally sign the required forms. Forms that are incomplete or unsigned in the wrong places are returned.

Step 4 — Pay fees. Fees must be paid in full at the time of submission. Underpayment results in return of the application.

Step 5 — Submit the application online.

Step 6 — Respond to IRCC requests. After submission, IRCC may request additional documents, biometrics appointments, or medical exam instructions. Respond promptly — delays in responding extend processing time.

Documents required

Sponsor’s documents

• Proof of Canadian citizenship (passport or citizenship certificate) or permanent residency (PR card or COPR)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of status in Canada (for permanent residents — confirmation of living in Canada)
• Completed sponsorship forms: IMM 1344

Child’s documents

• Birth certificate (certified copy, translated if not in English or French)
• Adoption papers, if applicable (full decree and supporting documentation)
• Valid passport — all pages, not just the biographical page
• Two passport-size photographs meeting IRCC specifications
• Police clearance certificates from every country where the child has lived for six consecutive months or more since turning 18. For children under 18, police certificates are generally not required
• Immigration medical exam results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
• Biometrics (required for children aged 14 and over)
• If one parent is not accompanying the child and the sponsor does not have sole custody: a notarised letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent

Relationship proof

The parent-child relationship must be documented clearly. Primary documents include the birth certificate naming the sponsor as a legal parent. For situations where the birth certificate does not establish the relationship unambiguously — for example, where the sponsor is not listed as a parent — IRCC may request additional evidence or DNA testing.

For adopted children, the full adoption order must be included. For stepchildren, both the marriage certificate establishing the relationship with the biological parent and the child’s birth certificate are required.

Translation requirements

All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by: a copy of the original document, a complete certified English or French translation, and the translator’s signed affidavit. Translations by family members are not accepted.

Fees (2025)

If the sponsored child has dependent children of their own being included in the application, an additional $175 processing fee per child applies.

The RPRF ($575) is refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn before a final decision is made. All other fees are non-refundable once IRCC begins processing.

Additional third-party costs to budget for include the immigration medical exam (approximately $175–$400 depending on location), police certificates, and certified translations.

Quebec residents: As of 2025–2026, Quebec’s MIFI has reached its maximum number of undertaking applications for dependent children aged 18 and over until June 25, 2026. Sponsors living in Quebec who wish to sponsor a child aged 18 or older cannot currently proceed with a new undertaking application until the intake cap reopens. Federal fees should not be paid until the Quebec undertaking step is available.

Processing times

Processing times for dependent child sponsorship vary significantly depending on the child’s country of residence. IRCC does not publish a single standard processing time for this category — times range from several months to over a year depending on volume, the country of origin, and the complexity of the case.

Key factors that affect processing time: completeness of the application (incomplete applications are returned and must be resubmitted, resetting the clock), whether biometrics have been collected, the child’s country of residence (some countries have higher volumes or additional security checks), and whether any additional documentation is requested.

Tracking the application through the IRCC online portal is the best way to monitor progress. Respond to any IRCC requests for additional documents within the deadline provided.

What happens when your child arrives in Canada

Once the application is approved, the child receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if they are outside Canada, a permanent resident visa allowing them to enter. Upon arrival and landing, they become a Canadian permanent resident and are eligible for:

• A permanent resident card (typically mailed within a few weeks of landing)
• Enrolment in provincially funded public school
• Provincial health insurance coverage (subject to provincial waiting periods — typically two to three months)
• The right to work or study in Canada
• The right to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the residency requirement (three of the last five years as a PR)

Common reasons for refusal or delay

Incomplete application. Missing documents, unsigned forms, or unpaid fees cause applications to be returned before they are assessed. This is the most common source of delay and — for children approaching the age-22 limit — can result in losing eligibility entirely.

Relationship not established. If the parent-child relationship cannot be clearly established from the documents provided, IRCC may request DNA testing or additional evidence. Inconsistencies between the birth certificate and other documents are a common trigger.

Child becomes ineligible during processing. If a child marries or enters a common-law relationship after the lock-in date, they may lose eligibility. Sponsors should be aware of this and understand how to notify IRCC if the child’s circumstances change.

Adoption does not meet IRCC’s legal requirements. Adoptions completed solely for immigration purposes, or adoptions that do not comply with both the originating country’s laws and Canadian law, will not be recognised.

Medical or criminal inadmissibility. The child must pass medical and security checks. A health condition that would place excessive demand on Canadian health services, or a criminal record, can result in inadmissibility.

Key takeaways

A dependent child for IRCC purposes is under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship on the lock-in date. Children 22 and over may qualify under the over-age exception only if they have been financially dependent on the parent since before 22 due to a documented medical or physical condition.

The lock-in date is the date IRCC receives a complete application. The child’s age is frozen on that date — but only if the application is accepted as complete. An incomplete application that is returned does not benefit from age lock-in.

If your child is approaching 22, submitting a complete application before their birthday is the single most urgent priority. A single missing document can cause the application to be returned, resetting the lock-in date and potentially causing the child to age out.

There is no minimum income requirement for most child sponsorship cases. The income threshold only applies when the sponsored child has dependent children of their own.

The financial undertaking lasts 10 years (or until the child turns 25, whichever is first) for children under 22. It is a legally binding commitment — if the child receives social assistance during that period, the sponsor may be required to repay it.

Quebec residents sponsoring a child aged 18 or over face a provincial intake cap through June 25, 2026. Do not pay federal fees without first confirming the Quebec undertaking step is available.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. IRCC requirements, fees, and processing times are subject to change — always verify current requirements at canada.ca. For adopted children, complex custody arrangements, or cases where the child is approaching the age threshold, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer.