Only a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor his or her family member(s) to come to Canada as permanent residents. However, they need to meet certain other conditions and criteria also in order to be eligible to apply for the sponsorship.

The following are to be met by all Canadian citizens and permanent residents in order to sponsor their family member(s) to come to Canada as permanent residents:

• The sponsor must be:

• At least 18 years of age;
• Not in prison or facing removal order (in case of permanent residents);
• Not charged with a serious offence;
• Not bankrupt.

• The sponsor must:

• Have physical residency in Canada;
• Show the intention to reside in Canada once the sponsored person(s) arrive in Canada as permanent residents, if he or she is sponsoring his or her spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or a dependent child (children aged below 22 years).

• The sponsor must enter into agreement with the federal or Quebec government, stating that he or she agrees to provide financial support for the sponsored person for a specific period of time;
• The sponsored person, if he or she is above 19 years of age, must commit to make every effort possible to be financially self-sufficient.
• The sponsor must be able to prove “financial ability” to support the sponsored person(s) if the sponsored person(s) are unable to provide for themselves. This include:

• Food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities of everyday living;
• Dental and eye care that are not covered under the various Canadian healthcare programs that are made available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents.