If you have a close relative in Canada, he or she may assist you to immigrate to Canada either by adding potential points to your skilled worker class application or by sponsoring you.   Your sponsor must be a close relative and must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and living in Canada, and must be 18 years of age or older.  Your sponsor must promise to financially support you and your family members for three to ten year.  This is a major commitment.

If your relative  lives in Quebec, the Canada-Quebec Accord  would provide information on Quebec's responsibilities for immigration.

Your close relative or family member can sponsor you if you are: a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner 16 years of age or older; a parent or grandparent; a dependent child, including an adopted child; a child under 18 years of age whom they intend to adopt; a brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is an orphan under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship; or a relative of any age if your close relative in Canada does not have an aunt, uncle or family member from the list above that they could sponsor. A son or daughter is dependent when the child: is under the age of 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law partner; is a full time student and is substantially dependent on a parent for financial support since before the age of 22, or since becoming a spouse or common-law partner (if this happened before age 22); or is financially dependent on a parent since before the age of 22 because of a disability.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class

Your close relative may sponsor a spouse or common-law partner if you have lived with him/her and have maintained a legal temporary status. Sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner includes their dependent children whether inside or outside of Canada.

Sponsoring a Relative or Family Member

If your close relative or family member agrees to sponsor you, he/she would have to show they make enough income to be able to support you.  If they have previously sponsored relatives or family members who then received social assistance, they would not be allowed to sponsor you.

To sponsor a relative or family member your close relative or family member must sign an Undertaking with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and also sign a Sponsorship Agreement with you outlining your mutual commitments to each other.  You must promise to make every effort to become self-supporting (unless you are elderly.)

If you have a close relative or family member willing to sponsor you, you can begin your application process here.