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Who can sponsor
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child if you
Income requirement
In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child. You only need to show that you have enough money to meet the income requirement if
- you’re sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own
- you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner that has a dependent child, and their dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own
The Financial Evaluation Form (IMM 1283) explains how much money you’ll need and how to fill out the form.
If you live in Quebec
You must meet the following requirements:
- Quebec’s eligibility requirements for
- Quebec’s income requirements, if this applies
You must also sign an undertaking with the Government of Quebec.
Don’t submit your undertaking application to Quebec until we tell you to do so. If you don’t wait for our confirmation, Quebec won’t process your application.
Who can’t sponsor
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner if you
- were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago
- signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored and it hasn’t been 3 years since they became a permanent resident
- This means you’re still financially responsible for them.
You may not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child if you
- have already applied to sponsor the same spouse, partner or child and a decision on that application hasn’t been made yet
- are in jail, prison or a penitentiary
- are behind on payments for
- an immigration loan
- a performance bond
- court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- did not give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- declared bankruptcy and are not discharged (this doesn’t apply if you're sponsoring your spouse or partner or child in Quebec)
- are receiving social assistance for a reason other than a disability
- were convicted of a violent criminal offence, an offence against a relative causing bodily harm or a sexual offence within or outside Canada
- can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because you received a removal order
There may be other reasons that make you ineligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child. If we determine you’re not eligible to sponsor, we’ll tell you why.