Family

What is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)? How to sponsor your parents and grandparents to come to Canada through the PGP.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada. If your family is approved under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), they will receive Canadian permanent residence and may be eligible to eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

By Julia Hornstein

How can I prove my relationship with my spouse or partner to IRCC? IRCC requires proof that your relationship is genuine in order to sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian immigration.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is in a relationship with a foreign national, you may sponsor that person to join you in Canada and become a permanent resident. You may sponsor your spouse, common law partner or conjugal partner.

By Julia Hornstein

Does IRCC recognize virtual marriages? No, you must both be there in person in order to be eligible for spousal sponsorship.

Since 2015, Canada has not recognized virtual marriages for family class sponsorship. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that “if one or both parties are not physically present at the ceremony, we won’t recognize the marriage.” In order to physically present at a marriage ceremony, both parties must participate in the wedding ceremony in […]

By Julia Hornstein

What are my obligations when sponsoring my spouse for Canadian immigration? In short, you must be able to provide for your spouse or common-law partner's basic needs.

If you sponsor your spouse or partner to become a Canadian permanent resident, you must sign an undertaking, in which you promise to provide financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner (and their dependent children, if applicable).

By Julia Hornstein

What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship? How to sponsor your spouse or partner through inland and outland sponsorship.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are in a relationship with a foreign national may sponsor that person to join them in Canada and become a permanent resident. You may sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner.

By Julia Hornstein

Can my spouse or partner work while their sponsorship application is being processed? Yes, but only with a work permit.

If you are sponsoring your spouse or partner in Canada, they can apply for an open work permit when they apply for permanent residence.

By Julia Hornstein

Getting married this summer? How to sponsor your spouse for Canadian immigration A guide to Canada's spousal sponsorship process.

If you are planning on getting married this summer, you can start your application to sponsor your spouse now.

By Julia Hornstein

Canada increases length of stay for Parents and Grandparents Super Visa to 5 years Canada’s Super Visa reforms take effect today.

The Super Visa is a temporary visa that is an attractive option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. The Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa that is valid for up to 10 years. Major reforms to the Super Visa came into effect today, July […]

By Julia Hornstein

Canadians sponsored spouses the most from these 10 countries in 2021 Last year, most spouses sponsored for Canadian immigration came from India.

More than 64,000 spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners were sponsored for Canadian immigration in 2021.

By Shelby Thevenot