What Documents Are Required to Apply as a Family Sponsor to Canada?

If you’re planning to bring your loved ones to Canada, understanding the process of becoming a family sponsor to Canada is essential. The Canadian government allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members to live, work, and study in Canada as permanent residents. Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse, child, parent, or grandparent, the process begins with gathering the right documents.

Below, we’ll walk you through the essential documents you’ll need when applying as a family sponsor to Canada—ensuring your application is strong, complete, and ready for processing.

1. Proof of Status in Canada

To become a family sponsor to Canada, you must be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. You’ll need to provide:

• A copy of your Canadian passport or citizenship certificate (if you are a citizen)
• A copy of your permanent resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) if you are a PR
• A valid photo ID such as a driver’s license or health card (in some cases)

This confirms that you are legally eligible to sponsor a family member.

2. Completed Application Forms

IRCC requires several forms to be filled out and signed. These include:

• IMM 1344: Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking
• IMM 5532: Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation
• IMM 5406: Additional Family Information
• IMM 0008: Generic Application Form for Canada (completed by the person being sponsored)
• Other country-specific forms depending on where your relative lives

All forms must be fully completed, accurate, and signed where necessary to avoid delays or refusals.

3. Proof of Relationship

One of the key parts of applying as a family sponsor to Canada is proving your relationship with the person you are sponsoring. Required documents may include:

• Spouse or partner: Marriage certificate, photos, shared bills, lease or property documents, travel records, birth certificates of children (if any), and communication records
• Dependent children: Birth certificates showing your name as a parent
• Parents or grandparents: Your birth certificate or other legal documents proving the relationship

Providing strong evidence of your genuine relationship is critical to a successful application.

4. Financial Documents

Sponsors must show that they can financially support the person they are sponsoring, especially when sponsoring parents or grandparents. You may need to submit:

• Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the past 3 tax years
• Letter from your employer
• Recent pay stubs
• Bank statements or other financial documents

This is to prove that you meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement, which varies based on your family size.

5. Police Certificates and Medical Exams

The person you are sponsoring must submit:

• Police clearance certificates from each country where they have lived for more than six months since age 18
• Upfront medical exam results from a panel physician approved by IRCC

These documents help ensure the sponsored person does not pose a health or security risk to Canada.

6. Photos and Identity Documents

Make sure to include:

• Passport-sized photos of both the sponsor and the sponsored person(s), following IRCC’s photo specifications
• A copy of the sponsored person’s valid passport or travel document
• National identity documents, if available

Always double-check photo dimensions and document requirements before submission.

7. Additional Supporting Documents

Depending on your case, you may also need:

• Divorce or death certificates (if previously married)
• Adoption records (if sponsoring adopted children)
• Immigration history or legal status documents if the sponsored person is in Canada

These supporting documents provide clarity and help IRCC verify all aspects of your case.

Conclusion

Applying as a family sponsor to Canada requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of the documentation involved. Every application is unique, but having all the required documents ready—and ensuring they are accurate and complete—can greatly improve your chances of approval.

As a trusted immigration partner, MAK Canadian Immigration Services is here to guide you through each step of the sponsorship process. Let us help you reunite with your family and start your new life together in Canada.