New Family Sponsorship Rules in Canada

Family sponsorship is at the heart of Canadian immigration policy. In 2026, several reforms aim to reduce waiting times and increase annual quotas for family reunification.

Key changes in 2026

Here is what changes this year:

• Increased quota: 35,000 family sponsorships accepted (15% increase compared to 2025).
• Reduced processing times: goal of 12 months for spousal sponsorship.
• New categories: expansion of eligible family members in certain circumstances.
• Enhanced Super Visa: validity extended to 10 years with continuous stays of 5 years.

Who can sponsor?

To be a sponsor, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian in Canada
• Be at least 18 years old
• Reside in Canada (except for citizens sponsoring a spouse)
• Sign a financial sponsorship commitment of 3 to 20 years depending on the sponsored member
• Demonstrate sufficient income (Minimum Necessary Income — MNI)

The process in 3 steps

Step 1 — Interest: submit your profile in the interest pool (lottery system for parents/grandparents).

Step 2 — Invitation: if selected, you receive an invitation to submit a complete application.

Step 3 — Processing: the application is processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Our lawyers specialized in family sponsorship accompany you at every step to maximize your chances of success.