The Spousal Sponsorship program is a subsection of the Family Class immigration category. Under this program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence.

Both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident (also called the 'sponsor') and the foreign national (the 'sponsored person') must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order for the sponsored person to receive a visa.

An outside Canada application is generally pursued when the sponsored partner is living outside of Canada. However, outside Canada applicants can still be in Canada and apply through the outside Canada program, and may be permitted to travel in and out of Canada throughout the application process. outside Canada applications are processed through the visa office that serves the applicant’s country of origin, or where they have resided legally for at least one year

The other potential option for Spousal/Common-Law Sponsorship is the Inland route. Inside Canada sponsorship is when the couple is together in Canada and the foreign spouse/common-law partner has temporary status in Canada, either as a worker, student, or visitor. The person being sponsored may be eligible for an Open Work Permit allowing him or her to work for any employer in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed.

Permanent residence granted under the Spousal Sponsorship program carries certain conditions that must be met:

• The sponsor is financially responsible for the person sponsored for three years after the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident.
• Individuals who come to Canada as spouses are themselves barred from sponsoring a spouse in turn for five years after receiving Canadian permanent residence.

Dependent children, both natural and adopted, may be sponsored to live with their parent(s) as permanent residents in Canada. The child sponsorship program is a subsection of the Family Class of immigration. In order to be eligible for this program, both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident (also called the 'sponsor') and their child abroad (the 'sponsored person') must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order for the sponsored person to receive a visa. To receive a visa through this immigration program, the sponsor and the sponsored person will be required to prove their relationship to one another. Individuals whose adoption proceedings are in the final phases of processing may begin sponsoring their child before the adoption has been finalized.

The sponsored person must be in one of the following situations of dependency: Less than 19 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner; or Has been an ongoing full-time student since before the age of 19 and has depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since that time; or Is 19 years of age or older and meets the following: Became a spouse or partner before the age of 19; Has been an ongoing full-time student since before the age of 19; and Has depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since they became a spouse or partner; or Is 19 years of age or older and has depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since before the age of 19 and is unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition.

The Sponsored Person must be either: The biological child of the parent if the child has not been adopted by a person other than the spouse or common law partner; or The adopted child of the parent.

Children sponsored through the Family Class of immigration receive Canadian permanent residence. This includes the right to study and work in Canada.

In order to apply for the Parental and Grandparent visa, applicants must have children or grandchildren who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada, who are willing to sponsor them, and who are able to provide evidence of sufficient income. The sponsor(s) must also sign an undertaking to provide for all of the applicant(s) basic needs for the duration of 20 years from the date the applicant(s) arrives in Canada. As such, the applicant must show that their sponsor(s) meet the required income levels so as to be able to provide for their needs during the undertaking period. In addition, all applicants are required to undergo health and character checks prior to their arrival.

A Parent or Grandparent who is granted permanent residence under the Family Class will have the right to live, work and study in Canada indefinitely. Permanent residents can access Canada's unique government-funded health care, subsidized education, language training programs and assistance for finding employment. Additional benefits of Canadian permanent residence include eligibility for Canada Pension Plan Benefits, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement and the option to participate in retirement plans such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP). Together with the many freedoms associated with permanent residence is the ability to apply for Canadian citizenship

The Super Visa Program allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada as long-term visitors. Successful applicants receive multiple-entry visitor visas that may last for up to 10 years. Unlike standard visitor visas, which must be renewed every six months, a Super Visa remains valid for two years at a time.

To be eligible for the Super Visa program, parents and grandparents must meet standard visitor visa requirements. In addition, they must:

• Provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada;
• Show that the sponsor in Canada meets minimum income requirements;
• Prove they have purchased Canadian health insurance for at least one year; and
• Complete an immigration medical examination.