Family reunification remains a cornerstone of Canadian immigration, but 2026 brings significant changes. IRCC paused intake of new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications on 15 July 2026, and it has set a goal of bringing spousal wait times closer to 12 months from 2027. This guide covers the family class pathways, with figures checked against IRCC pages on 6 November 2026.
Important Notice
IRCC invited sponsors from the 2020 interest to sponsor pool in 2024 and 2025. On 15 July 2026 it paused intake of new PGP applications until further notice: it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply. There is no open lottery. Existing applications continue to be processed, with up to 15,000 people to be approved for permanent residence through the PGP in 2026. The Super Visa is not affected by the pause and lets parents and grandparents stay for up to 5 years at a time, though it does not lead to permanent residence.
Family Sponsorship at a Glance
Spousal and Partner Sponsorship
The most common family sponsorship pathway remains available. Canada sponsors spouses, common-law partners and conjugal partners only; there is no fiancé(e) category, so a couple that is not yet married or living together must marry or meet the common-law or conjugal definition first. The 2026 target for spouses, partners and children is 69,000 admissions (IRCC sets 66,000 a year for 2027 to 2029), within a total family class target of 84,000 in 2026.
Spousal Sponsorship
Who can you sponsor?
- Your spouse (legally married)
- Your common-law partner (living together 12+ months)
- Your conjugal partner (where marriage/cohabitation was impossible)
Requirements for the Sponsor:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years or older
- Live in Canada (with some exceptions for citizens)
- Sign an undertaking to support your spouse or partner for 3 years from the day they become a permanent resident
- Not be in prison, bankrupt, or subject to a removal order
| Application Type | Processing Time | Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse Inside Canada | Check IRCC tool (see note below) | Open Work Permit available |
| Spouse Outside Canada | Check IRCC tool (see note below) | After PR approval |
| Common-Law Partner | Check IRCC tool (see note below) | Open Work Permit available |
Spousal processing times change with IRCC volumes and differ by case. IRCC states that its November 2026 measure for 2027 is intended to bring wait times for the spouse or common-law partner class, for applicants destined outside Quebec, "closer to 12 months". That is a goal, not the current wait. Read your own estimate on IRCC's processing times tool on the day you apply, because the tool says its estimates are not a maximum or a guarantee.
If your spouse is already in Canada, apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) at the same time as the sponsorship application. This allows them to work while waiting for PR.
Parents and Grandparents: Super Visa Alternative
While the PGP intake is paused, the Super Visa offers an excellent alternative for parents and grandparents who want to spend extended time in Canada.
Super Visa Benefits
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over a visa validity of up to 10 years. This is far more generous than a standard visitor visa, which allows stays of up to 6 months. The application fee is CAD 100 per person, plus biometrics where required (CAD 85 per person, CAD 170 maximum per family), and dependants cannot be included.
Super Visa Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Parent or grandparent of Canadian citizen/PR |
| Letter of Invitation | From child/grandchild in Canada |
| Financial Support Proof | Host must meet IRCC's minimum necessary income for the family size (table below) |
| Medical Insurance | Private health insurance with at least CAD 100,000 emergency coverage, valid for at least 1 year from entry, from a Canadian insurer or from a foreign insurer authorised by OSFI (accepted since 28 January 2025) |
| Medical Exam | Immigration medical examination |
| Processing Time | Varies by country; check IRCC's processing times tool |
Super Visa Minimum Income (IRCC Table Updated 29 July 2025)
| Family Size | Minimum Income Required |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $30,526 |
| 2 persons | $38,002 |
| 3 persons | $46,720 |
| 4 persons | $56,724 |
| 5 persons | $64,336 |
| 6 persons | $72,560 |
| 7 persons | $80,784 |
| Each additional person | Add $8,224 |
Amounts are in CAD. Since 31 March 2026 the host can meet the minimum in either of the 2 tax years before applying. Alternatively, if the host and any co-signer reach at least 75% of the minimum in the year before applying, the visiting parent or grandparent's own income can cover the rest, with proof that it will continue while in Canada. This table is for the Super Visa. Sponsoring parents for permanent residence under the PGP uses a different test, the minimum necessary income plus 30% for each of the 3 tax years before applying. Sources: IRCC's proof of financial support page and 31 March 2026 notice. Confirm the figures on IRCC's page before you apply.
Dependent Children Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children:
- Age: Under 22 years old
- Exception: Over 22 if financially dependent due to physical/mental condition
- Marital Status: Must not have a spouse or common-law partner
- Processing Time: Varies; check IRCC's processing times tool
Adopted Children
Canada has specific requirements for adopting children from abroad:
- Adoption must comply with laws of child's country and your province
- Convention adoptions (Hague countries) follow specific procedures
- Non-convention adoptions require additional steps
- Processing time varies by case; check IRCC's processing times tool
Other Family Members
Orphaned Relatives
You can sponsor orphaned relatives under 18 (siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren) if both their parents are deceased.
Lonely Canadian
If you have no close family in Canada and no relatives you can sponsor under other categories, you may be able to sponsor one relative regardless of their relationship to you.
Common Reasons for Refusal
- Insufficient relationship evidence: Not enough proof of genuine relationship
- Financial shortfall: Sponsor doesn't meet income requirements
- Misrepresentation: False or misleading information in application
- Inadmissibility: Medical, criminal, or security concerns
- Previous sponsorship default: Sponsor defaulted on previous undertaking
For spousal sponsorship, include extensive evidence of your relationship: photos together over time, joint accounts or leases, travel receipts, chat logs, call records, letters from family/friends, and evidence of meeting each other's families. The more comprehensive, the better.
2026 Family Immigration Outlook
While the PGP pause is disappointing for many families, here is what the official figures show:
- Spousal sponsorship: The 2026 target for spouses, partners and children is 69,000, and the 2027 to 2029 plan sets 66,000 a year (total family class 84,000 in 2026 and 81,000 a year from 2027)
- Spousal wait times: IRCC says a 2027 measure aims to bring waits closer to 12 months outside Quebec, which means current waits are longer than that goal
- Super Visa changes: Foreign insurers authorised by OSFI have been accepted since 28 January 2025, and the host can meet the income test in either of 2 tax years since 31 March 2026. The 5-year stay per visit dates from 2022
- PGP future: The 2027 to 2029 plan keeps PGP admissions at 15,000 a year, which IRCC uses to process existing files. Nothing official says intake will resume in 2027
