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 2 of 9

BlockedSpouse, partner, child · RequiredYou are here

2. Check who you can sponsor

The everyday routes are a spouse, a common-law partner, a conjugal partner, or a dependent child.

Waiting on: Check you can be a 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 2 of 9 · RequiredClose

Check who you can sponsor

BlockedRequired

The authority on this stepSponsor your family memberscanada.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

The everyday routes are a spouse, a common-law partner, a conjugal partner, or a dependent child. Parents and grandparents are a separate program on a separate schedule. Other relatives can only be sponsored in narrow circumstances.

Why it's required: The three partner categories are not interchangeable. Common-law means twelve continuous months of living together; conjugal is for couples who could not live together or marry for reasons outside their control.

Common-law12 months togetherContinuous cohabitation, which you have to be able to evidence.

Dependent childAge rules applyCheck the dependent-child definition before you build a plan on it.

ParentsSeparate programCurrently paused. See the branch off this step.

Documents you'll need

Marriage certificate, or proof of twelve months living together
Birth certificates or adoption papers for children
Evidence the relationship is genuine and ongoing

Before this step

Not startedCheck you can be a sponsor

Finishing this unlocks: Understand the undertaking you sign, Income requirement, in the rare cases it applies, Parents and grandparents: paused