Bringing your loved ones to Canada is one of the most emotional parts of immigration. Whether you're sponsoring your spouse, your parents, or your grandparents, the process can feel overwhelming—and honestly, a bit cold when you're dealing with forms and wait times. Let me walk you through how it actually works, what to expect, and some real talk about the journey ahead. I've seen a lot of people go through this, and I think having honest expectations makes it easier.
Spousal and Common-Law Sponsorship: The Basics
If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you want to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, you need to meet a few conditions. You must be at least 18 years old, you must be living in Canada (or intend to return when your spouse lands), and you can't be on social assistance—except if it's disability-related. There's also something called the "five-year bar": if you were yourself sponsored as a spouse or common-law partner, you can't sponsor a new partner for five years after you became a PR. This exists to prevent fraud—people getting sponsored, then turning around and "sponsoring" someone else right away. It's strict, but it's there for a reason.
On the financial side—if you're on welfare or social assistance, you generally can't sponsor. The government wants to make sure you can support your spouse when they arrive. But here's the good news: there's no minimum income requirement for spousal sponsorship. You don't need to earn a certain amount. You just need to not be on social assistance (again, disability is an exception). That surprises a lot of people. Students, part-time workers, people between jobs—you can still sponsor, as long as you're not drawing welfare.
Spouse vs Common-Law vs Conjugal: What Counts?
Let me break this down simply. A spouse is someone you're legally married to. A common-law partner is someone you've been living with in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months. You need proof—lease agreements, bills, photos, affidavits from friends. The 12 months have to be continuous. If you broke up for a few months and got back together, the clock might reset. IRCC takes this seriously because they want to make sure the relationship is real.
Conjugal partners are different. This category is for couples who can't live together or get married because of legal or immigration barriers—think same-sex couples in countries where marriage isn't possible, or people who can't get visas to visit each other. It is NOT for couples who simply chose not to live together or who could get married but haven't. I've seen people try to use the conjugal category because they've been in a long-distance relationship and it's easier than proving common-law. That doesn't work. Conjugal is narrow. If you can live together, you're expected to—and then you'd qualify as common-law.
Proving your relationship: IRCC wants to see that your relationship is genuine and not primarily for immigration. They'll look at how long you've been together, whether you've met in person, how you communicate, whether your families know, and whether you've merged your lives (joint accounts, shared housing, etc.). The more evidence, the better. Photos, chat logs, travel receipts, wedding photos, letters from friends and family—gather it all.
The Undertaking: What You're Promising
When you sponsor your spouse, you sign an "undertaking"—a commitment to financially support them for three years (or 20 years for a dependent child over 22, or 10 years for parents and grandparents). That means even if you separate or divorce, you're still responsible. You can't get out of it through bankruptcy. If your spouse ends up on social assistance during that period, the government can come after you to repay it. I'm not saying this to scare you—most couples stay together. But you need to understand what you're signing. It's a real commitment.
Dual Intent: You Can Have a Visitor Application Too
Here's something that confuses people: your spouse can apply for a visitor visa (or eTA, if eligible) while the sponsorship application is in process. Having "dual intent"—wanting to visit now and immigrate later—is allowed. IRCC has said clearly that applying for sponsorship doesn't mean your spouse will automatically be refused a visitor visa. That said, officers may worry about overstay, especially if your spouse is from a country that requires a visa. To improve the chances of a visitor approval while sponsorship is pending, your spouse should show strong ties to their home country—job, property, family—and a clear plan to return if the visit ends. A round-trip ticket helps. So does a letter explaining the situation. Not everyone gets approved for a visit, but it's worth trying if you want to be together during the wait.
Strengthening your spousal application: Submit a complete application the first time. Missing forms or unclear answers lead to delays or requests for more documents. Use the checklist. Get professional photos if you're doing a photo supplement. Write a real relationship story—how you met, key moments, future plans. Officers read these. A thoughtful, detailed account can make a difference. And apply from inside Canada if your spouse is already here and eligible—inland applications sometimes get processed slightly differently, though processing times vary.
Processing Times: Setting Realistic Expectations
Spousal sponsorship processing times hover around 12 months these days, sometimes a bit more, sometimes less. It depends on the visa office, completeness of the application, and whether they need additional documents. The emotional toll is real. You're waiting to start or continue your life together. My advice: use the time well. Save money. Plan for when your spouse arrives. Stay in touch with your MP's office if things drag—they can sometimes get updates. And try not to obsess over the tracker. Easier said than done, I know.
Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP): The Lottery
Sponsoring your parents or grandparents is different—and honestly, it's tougher. The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) uses a lottery. You submit an "Interest to Sponsor" form when the government opens the intake (usually once a year), and they randomly select people from the pool. If you're not selected, you wait and try again next year. There's no guarantee. I've talked to people who've been in the pool for years and still haven't been chosen. It's frustrating, and I get it.
If you are selected, you need to meet the income requirements. The sponsor (and their co-signer, if they have a spouse) must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) plus 30% for each of the three tax years before you apply. The MNI is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). You need Notice of Assessment or Option C printouts from the CRA to prove it. The government publishes the income tables—check the latest numbers for your family size. If you're right on the edge, consider whether you can afford to support your parents for 20 years (the undertaking length for PGP). It's a long commitment.
PGP is highly competitive: Far more people want to sponsor their parents than there are spots. Don't put all your eggs in this basket. Have a backup plan—like the Super Visa—and keep your expectations realistic. If you get selected, that's wonderful. If not, you're not alone.
Super Visa: The Practical Alternative
If you didn't get selected in the PGP lottery—or you're still waiting—the Super Visa is often the best alternative. It lets your parents or grandparents come to Canada for up to five years per visit (it used to be two years; they extended it). The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years, so they can make multiple long visits. They don't get PR, but they can spend extended time with you.
To sponsor someone for a Super Visa, you (the child or grandchild in Canada) need to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size. It's lower than the PGP requirement (MNI + 30%). You also need to provide a written promise of financial support. And—importantly—your parent or grandparent must have private health insurance that covers them for at least one year, with a minimum coverage of $100,000 CAD. The insurance has to be from a Canadian company. Shop around; prices vary. But it's mandatory. Without it, no Super Visa.
In my opinion, the Super Visa is underrated. Yes, your parents don't get PR. But they can visit for years at a time, and the processing is usually faster than PGP. For many families, it's the realistic option. You get to have your parents with you for long stretches. That's valuable. And if the PGP lottery eventually comes through, great. If not, you've still got a workable solution.
Super Visa vs PGP: Which One?
PGP gives your parents permanent residence—they can eventually apply for citizenship, get healthcare, stay forever. But it's a lottery, and the income requirement is higher. Super Visa gives long visits, not PR. Lower income requirement, mandatory health insurance. If you can afford the income threshold and you get selected, PGP is the dream. If you don't get selected or your income is borderline, Super Visa lets you keep your family close. Many people do both—apply for the lottery every year and use the Super Visa in the meantime. That's a smart approach.
The Emotional Journey: What to Expect
Let me be honest—family sponsorship is emotional. You're dealing with bureaucracy while your heart is in another country. The waiting is hard. The uncertainty is hard. I've seen couples fight because of the stress. I've seen adult children feel guilty for not being able to bring their aging parents sooner. It's okay to feel that. Give yourself grace. Stay connected with your partner or family. Use video calls, send care packages, plan for the future. The process will end. Most applications are approved when the relationship is genuine and the paperwork is in order.
Advice by Situation
Young couples (20s–30s): You might not have a long relationship history or tons of financial proof. That's okay. Focus on the quality of your evidence. Photos from multiple occasions, evidence of ongoing communication, affidavits from people who know you both. If you're common-law, make sure you have 12 solid months of cohabitation proof. And if you're not living together yet, consider whether moving in together (even for a year) would strengthen your case before you apply.
Second marriages or reuniting couples: IRCC may look more closely if either of you has a previous sponsored relationship. Have a clear story. Explain how you met, why you're together now, and why this relationship is different. Show that any previous sponsorship obligations are fulfilled. Transparency helps.
Sponsors with lower income: Remember—no minimum income for spousal sponsorship. If you're a student, a new graduate, or between jobs, you can still sponsor. Just make sure you're not on social assistance. Save what you can. Show that you have a plan. A letter explaining your situation and how you'll support your spouse can help.
Parents of adult children in Canada: If your child is inviting you on a Super Visa, help them by getting your documents in order—passport, proof of ties to your home country, health insurance. If they're applying for PGP, support them with any information they need. The process is hard on the sponsor too. Stay patient.
When in doubt, get help: Immigration consultants and lawyers exist for a reason. If your case is complicated—previous refusals, complex family situations, inadmissibility concerns—a professional can help. It's an investment. For straightforward cases, many people successfully apply on their own using the official guides. You know your situation best.
Bottom Line
Family sponsorship is one of the most meaningful paths in Canadian immigration. It reunites families. It lets you build a life with the people you love. The rules can feel strict, and the waits can feel long. But with good preparation, honest evidence, and realistic expectations, most families get there. Sponsor your spouse if you're ready for that commitment. Enter the PGP lottery if you qualify—and use the Super Visa to bridge the gap. Take care of yourself and your relationships through the process. You've got this.