Nothing checked off yet

First visit? Here's how the map works.

Steps run in order. A dashed step is blocked: something before it has to be finished first.

Check a step off when it's done. Whatever it was blocking unlocks by itself.

Some steps are IRCC's to make, not yours. Those show as waiting and can't be checked off.

Start with step 1: Check you can be a sponsor

Family sponsorshipCheck you can sponsorStep 3 of 9

BlockedA binding promise · RequiredYou are here

3. Understand the undertaking you sign

You sign an undertaking and a sponsorship agreement promising to support the person financially so they don't need social assistance.

Waiting on: Check who you can sponsor

Open this step

The rest of the pathway, folded up

This view fits the whole pathway on one screen: the step you're on is enlarged, its neighbours are shown small, and everything further out is folded into a summary bar you can open. The idea is borrowed from degree-of-interest trees (Card and Nation, 2002).

Times and fees on this page are rough and change without notice. Check canada.ca before you pay for anything or make a plan around a date.

Step 3 of 9 · RequiredClose

Understand the undertaking you sign

BlockedRequired

The authority on this stepSponsor your spouse, partner or child: check if you're eligiblecanada.ca · Government of Canada

IRCC is the only authority here. Our summary is here to help you find your way. If anything below differs from the official page, the official page is right. Requirements, fees and processing times change without notice.

Our plain-language summaryLast reviewed 29 July 2026

You sign an undertaking and a sponsorship agreement promising to support the person financially so they don't need social assistance. It binds you for a set period after they become a permanent resident, and it does not end if the relationship does.

Why it's required: This is the part people sign without reading. A separation, a divorce or a falling-out does not release you; if the person collects social assistance during the undertaking, you can be asked to repay it.

Survives breakupYesEnding the relationship does not end the undertaking.

If they claim benefitsYou may repayA debt to the province, which also blocks sponsoring anyone else.

Sponsoring again3-year waitAfter sponsoring a spouse, before you can sponsor another one.

Documents you'll need

The undertaking and sponsorship agreement forms
An honest read of what you're committing to, and for how long

Before this step

BlockedCheck who you can sponsor

Finishing this unlocks: Quebec's separate undertaking, Submit both applications together