Guide 5196: Sponsorship of adopted children and other relatives 

Table of Contents

Before You Apply

Sponsorship of members of the Family Class

Who may use this application?

What does it mean to sponsor?

When you sponsor persons who are members of the family class, you must sign an undertaking with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (or with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration [MIFI] if you live in Quebec).

The undertaking is a promise to provide financial support and basic requirements for the family members you are sponsoring.

Basic requirements are:

• food
• clothing
• utilities
• personal requirements
• shelter
• fuel
• household supplies

This also includes health care not provided by public health, such as eye and dental care.

The undertaking ensures that these persons and their family members do not have to apply for social assistance. The length of the undertaking and duration of time you are to provide support varies according to their age and relationship to you.

Your obligations as a sponsor begin as soon as the person you are sponsoring and, if applicable, their family members arrive in Canada.

Important information: The undertaking is an unconditional promise of support. For example, the granting of Canadian citizenship, divorce, separation or relationship breakdown or moving to another province does not cancel the undertaking. The undertaking also remains in effect even if your financial situation deteriorates.

May I have a co-signer?

Your spouse or common-law partner may help you meet the income requirement by co-signing the sponsorship application. A common-law partner is a person who is living with you in a conjugal relationship and has done so for at least one year prior to the signing of the undertaking.

The co-signer must:

• meet the same eligibility requirements as the sponsor;
• agree to co-sign the undertaking; and
• agree to be responsible for the basic requirements of the person you want to sponsor and their family members for the validity period of the undertaking.

The co-signer will be equally liable if obligations are not performed.

Do I need more than one application?

You must complete separate applications for each person you want to sponsor. Each application may include that person’s family members.

For example:

If you want to sponsor…

• your two orphaned brothers
  • you must complete two applications: one for each of your brothers.
  • The application for each of your brothers would identify each individual as the person being sponsored (principal applicant).

Sponsorship eligibility

In order to sponsor, you must…

• be 18 years of age or older;
• be a Canadian citizen, Registered Indian or permanent resident;
• be sponsoring a member of the family Class;
• live in Canada;
• sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored;
• sign an agreement with the person you are sponsoring that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities;
• have an income that meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income, which is published yearly by the Canadian government in the Low-Income Cut-offs (LICO). You will have to provide documents that show your financial resources for the past 12 months and prove you are financially able to sponsor members of the family class. You may also have a co-signer. If you live in Quebec, see also Sponsors living in Quebec.

You may NOT sponsor if you…

Defaults

You are not eligible to sponsor if you are in default of a previous undertaking. If you are in default and you submit an application to sponsor, it will be refused and the sponsorship fees that you have paid will not be refunded or applied to subsequent sponsorship applications.

If you are in default of…

A previous sponsorship undertaking

You can be found in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking if the family members you sponsored in the past received social assistance or welfare while the undertaking was valid.

You may not sponsor until you repay the full amount of any social assistance or welfare payment or repay the debt to the satisfaction of the government authority that issued the benefit or ordered you to pay.

An immigration loan

You received a transportation, assistance or Right of Permanent Residence Fee (previously called the Right of Landing Fee) loan and have missed payments or are in arrears.

You may not sponsor until you pay all arrears on your loan. For more information, contact Collection Services at 1-800-667-7301 (in Canada and the United States only).

Support payment obligations

You were ordered by a court to make support payments to a spouse or child and have neglected to do so.

You may not sponsor until you resolve the family support matter.

A performance bond

You agreed to pay money to guarantee that an immigrant would fulfil their obligations under immigration legislation.

You may not sponsor until you pay the full amount of the bond.

Contact information of Provincial Authorities

• British Columbia
  Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
  Sponsorship Default Coordinator
  P.O. Box 9950 STN PROV GOVT
  Victoria, BC V8W 9R3
  1 (866) 866-0800

• Quebec
  Centre de service du recouvrement
  1415 Jarry St. Est, Suite 400
  Montréal, QC H2E 3B4
  Telephone: 1 (514) 873-4362
  Fax: 1 (514) 352-2395

• Alberta
  Alberta Human Services
  Income Support Contact Centre
  Telephone: 1 (866) 644-5135
  Edmonton: 1 (780) 644-5135
  Email: Hs.iscc@gov.ab.ca

• Newfoundland and Labrador
  Department of Social Services
  P.O. Box 8700
  St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
  Telephone: 1 (709) 729-0583

• Saskatchewan
  Department of Community Resources and
  Employment
  Saskatchewan Social Services
  1920 Broad Street, 11th Floor
  Regina, SK S4P 3V6
  Telephone: 1 (306) 787-1388
  Website

• New Brunswick
  Department of Social Development
  P.O. Box 6000
  Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
  Telephone: 1 (506) 453-2001

• Manitoba
  Family Services
  203 South Railway Street East
  Killarney, MB R0K 1G0
  Telephone: 1 (877) 812-0014

• Nova Scotia
  Department of Community Services
  P.O. Box 696
  Halifax, NS B3J 2T7
  Telephone: 1 (902) 424-4262
  Website

• Ontario
  Ministry of Community and Social Services
  Overpayment Recovery Unit
  Box 333
  Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
  Toll free: 1 (888) 346-5184
  Fax: 1 (416) 212-7707
  Website

• Prince Edward Island
  Department of Social Services and Seniors
  11 Kent Street, 2nd floor
  P.O. Box 2000
  Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
  Telephone: 1 (902) 368-6369
  Fax: 1 (902) 894-0242

Sponsors living in Quebec

The province of Quebec is responsible for determining whether sponsors living in the province have the financial ability to sponsor family members and the length of the undertaking.

The province of Quebec has its own immigration rules. Find out how to sponsor someone if you live in Quebec.

If you live in Quebec:

• you must first send us your application.
• if you meet the federal requirements to apply for sponsorship, we will send you an email or letter with instructions to download Quebec’s sponsorship kit.
• fill out and submit Quebec’s undertaking kit. You must attach a copy of the email or letter we sent you to the undertaking application that you submit to the Quebec government.

The Quebec government will review your sponsorship application and tell you if you’re eligible. The Quebec government may deem that you’re not eligible if:

• you didn’t meet the terms of a sponsorship agreement in the past because the person you sponsored received social assistance and you haven’t repaid the Quebec government;
• during the five years before you submitted your sponsorship application, you didn’t pay alimony or child support even though a court ordered it;
• you didn’t follow other conditions imposed by the Quebec authorities or with any federal regulatory requirements, particularly if you received social assistance and aren’t exempt from that condition.

We can’t make a decision on your application until we receive Quebec’s decision about your undertaking application.

The Quebec government will inform IRCC if you are approved as a sponsor.

If the federal eligibility requirements are met, we will send the sponsor a letter with instructions to download the MIFI undertaking kit, then to complete and submit it to the MIFI with a copy of the letter we sent you.

For more information on Quebec’s requirements, or if you need help, you may call MIFI’s general information line at 514-864-9191 or 1-877-864-9191 or consult the MIFI website.

Length of undertaking

Your obligations as a sponsor begin when your family members enter Canada to remain as permanent residents. The following will help you determine how long your undertaking will be valid.

Dependent child 22 years of age or over

Your dependent child or a dependent child of your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, including an adopted child or a child to be adopted in Canada who is 22 years of age or over on the day they become a permanent resident.

Length of undertaking is three years after that child becomes a permanent resident.

Any other person

Any other person (e.g. brother, sister, uncle, aunt).

Length of undertaking is 10 years after that person becomes a permanent resident.

How to calculate the family size?

The size of the family determines the amount of income you need to make to sponsor. In calculating the size of your family:

1. Count:

   • yourself,
   • your spouse or common-law partner and
   • dependent children, if applicable. See the “Definition of dependent child (types 1 and 2)”

   Note: Dependent children who meet this definition must be included in the calculation, even if you as a sponsor do not have custody nor provide child support.

2. Count:

   • the number of persons you are now sponsoring and
   • all family members of that person, whether or not they are accompanying.
3. Count the number of persons covered by other valid undertakings you have made or co-signed in the past.
4. If you have a co-signer, count all persons covered by still valid undertakings made or co-signed by your co-signer.
5. Calculate the number of persons covered in steps 1 to 4. The total represents the family size
6. Look at the Income tables and charts at the end of this guide to help you decide if you have the financial ability to meet sponsorship requirements. Note that your calculations will only be an estimate.

For sponsors in Quebec:

Quebec residents should refer to MIFI’s Financial capacity evaluation webpage. Quebec’s Income Scale amounts are indexed each year. Note that any calculation will only be an estimate since an MIFI employee will make the official financial assessment. For further information on Quebec’s requirements, go to the MIFI’s website and click on Sponsors and Sponsored Persons, or call the general information line at 1-877-864-9191.

Do I have to maintain a minimum income during the processing of the application?

Your income must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income requirement, as identified annually in the Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO), on the date which the sponsorship application is signed.

Income may be reassessed at any time during processing if new information is received or brought to our attention indicating that you may no longer meet the minimum income requirements.

May I cancel my undertaking once it has been approved?

If you change your mind about sponsoring a child placed for adoption or other relatives, you must inform us of your decision to withdraw your undertaking prior to the sponsored person becoming a permanent resident. You must use this Web form and clearly state your name, date of birth and Universal Client Identification (UCI) /Client ID number, if known, in all correspondence.

• If you inform us before the sponsored person is granted permanent residence
  • We will assess your request and inform you in writing if your withdrawal request is accepted.
• If you inform us after the sponsored person is granted permanent residence
  • The commitment you and your co-signer, if applicable, made to support your family is valid for the term of your undertaking.

What happens if I fail to meet my obligations?

If the person you sponsored (one of the sponsored family members) receives financial support from a federal, provincial or municipal assistance program while the undertaking is still valid, you:

• will be considered to be in default of your obligations,
• may have to repay to the government concerned any benefits they received, and
• will not be allowed to sponsor other members of the family class until you have reimbursed the amount of these payments to the government concerned.

Why might the application of the person I want to sponsor be refused?

There are many possible reasons why an application for permanent residence might be refused. Some examples are:

• the person you want to sponsor is not a member of the family class;
• you may not meet the financial requirements where these are applicable;
• the person you want to sponsor or their family members may not have provided the required documents as requested;
• the relationship between you and the person you want to sponsor or their family members is not genuine or has been entered into for immigration purposes only; or
• the person you want to sponsor or their family members have a criminal record or serious illness.

Suspension of processing

If any of the proceedings below apply to you and you send a sponsorship application, your application will not be processed until a final decision is rendered with respect to that proceeding.

• You have been charged with the commission of an offence that is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.
• You are subject of a report that would render you inadmissible to Canada.
• You are the subject of an application to revoke your citizenship.
• You are the subject of a certificate signed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Solicitor General of Canada stating you are inadmissible on grounds of security, human or international rights violation, serious criminality or organized criminality.
• You are appealing the loss of your permanent resident status.

Step 1. Gather Documents

What documents are required?

Use the Document Checklist [IMM 5287] (PDF, 0.86 MB) , which you can find in this package, to assist you in gathering the necessary documentation

Important information: If you do not provide all the requested information or documents, the processing of your application could be delayed.

Step 2. Complete the Application

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections. If a section does not apply to you, write “Not Applicable” or “NA”.

If you need more space for any section, include an additional page containing the appropriate section, complete it and upload it with your application. For the document type, choose “other.” Your other information can be in any of the following formats: JPG, JPEG or PDF. 

Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283)

Who completes this form?

The Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283) will help you, the sponsor, assess if you (and your spouse or common-law partner, if they are co-signing) will have the ability to support the person you are planning to sponsor and their family members.

When must a financial evaluation be submitted?

You must submit a financial evaluation when you are sponsoring:

• A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner who has a dependent child who has a dependent child of their own
• Dependent children who have dependent children of their own
• Other relatives
• Orphaned relatives under the age of 18

About THE SPONSOR and, if applicable, THE co-signer

Question 1

1. Your full name

   Indicate:

   • Family name (surname
   • Given name(s) (first, second or more)

2. Is your spouse or common-law partner co-signing the undertaking? Check ‘‘Yes’’ or ‘‘No’’.

   If you check ‘‘Yes’’, provide the following details:

   • Family name (surname)
   • Given name(s) (first, second or more)
   • Date of birth (day, month, year)

the sponsor's family members and persons included in undertakings in effect or not yet in effect signed by the sponsor and, if applicable, the sponsor's co-signer

Financial requirement

Step 3. Pay the Fees

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid (all fees are in Canadian dollars). Fees must be included with this application.

We recommend you pay the right of permanent residence fee ($515) now to avoid delays. You will have to pay it before you become a permanent resident.

Your fees

Residents of Quebec

If you are a resident of Quebec, you will need to pay an additional processing fee to the province of Quebec when you submit your undertaking to MIFI. For more information about Quebec provincial processing fees, visit the MIFI website. Do not include this fee with this sponsorship application.

Step 4. Submit the Application

What Happens Next

Is there a right of appeal?

In the event you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, there are two possible scenarios:

Scenario 1

If you checked the box to "Withdraw your application" on the IMM 1344 in case you do not meet sponsorship requirements, then no further processing will occur and all the fees will be refunded except for the $75 sponsorship fee. You will have no right of appeal.

Scenario 2

If you checked the box to "Proceed with the application for permanent residence" on the IMM 1344 in case you do not meet sponsorship requirements, then the application of the person being sponsored will be processed at the Canadian visa office. If their application is denied, you will have the right to appeal the decision.

If you meet the sponsorship requirements, you may also have a right to appeal in the following circumstance:

You meet the sponsorship requirements, but the person being sponsored does not meet the eligibility requirements or admissibility criteria for the family class. Their application will be refused and you will be notified of your right to appeal the negative decision, if you should decide to do so.

Exceptions:

A sponsor has no right of appeal in the following circumstances:

• the individual being sponsored is inadmissible on grounds of security, violating human or international rights, serious criminality or organized criminality;
• the individual being sponsored is refused on the ground of misrepresentation;
• the sponsor has discontinued or has withdrawn their sponsorship application.

What if the co-signer wants to withdraw their financial support?

If your spouse or common-law partner withdraws support for the sponsorship application, follow the steps below:

1. You or your spouse/ common-law partner must inform the Case Processing Centre and the visa office using this Web form before permanent residence is granted to the person you are sponsoring and their family members.
2. You must include an amended copy of the sponsorship application and of the agreement.
3. We will assess your financial situation to see if you have enough money to support your family without a co-signer.
4. If you do not meet the financial requirements on your own, the application for permanent residence will be refused.

Informing us of any changes

If you move

Then inform us immediately by:

• using our on-line service. Visit Change my address and follow the instructions for filling out and submitting the electronic change of address form.

If you move from Quebec to another province in Canada

Then you must fill out and sign Application to sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344).

If you move to Quebec from another province in Canada

Then you must sign an “engagement” with the province of Quebec.

Note: If your personal situation changes (for example change of marital status, birth of a child, or you wish to withdraw your sponsorship, etc.) after you have submitted your application, you must notify us in writing. For more information, visit After you apply.

Federal Income Scale

Federal Income Table, 2023

The following table applies to all provinces except Quebec. Quebec residents should refer to MIFI’s Financial capacity evaluation webpage.

Table 1

Appendix A: Sponsoring an adopted child or a child you intend to adopt

Citizenship process for adopted persons

Canada’s citizenship law was amended to allow Canadian citizens (except for those born outside Canada) who adopt a child from a foreign country the option of applying for Canadian citizenship for their adopted child without first having to apply for permanent residence. An application for Canadian Citizenship for a person adopted by a Canadian citizen (on or after January 1, 1947) is available. Adopted persons who are adults may apply for themselves. Download the Application for Canadian Citizenship for an adopted person.

If you want to apply for Canadian citizenship for an adopted child or you are a child adopted by a Canadian citizen, refer to our website to help you determine if you should apply for citizenship or for permanent residence.

The Hague Convention

Many intercountry adoptions are now subject to the requirements of the

Hague Convention on Adoption.

These adoptions must be initiated through provincial or territorial adoption authorities and receive the appropriate approvals. Contact your provincial or territorial authorities for information on how the Convention may affect your adoption.

Provincial and Territorial Contacts for Adoptions

As adoption is a provincial responsibility, people who wish to adopt a child from outside of Canada must first contact provincial or territorial adoption authorities. Once you have initiated the adoption application through the provincial or territorial authorities and have obtained the appropriate approval, you may begin the sponsorship process for a child.

• Alberta
  Ministry of Children’s services, Adoption Services
  Senior Manager, Adoption Services
  Tel: (780) 422-0178
  Fax: (780) 427-2048

• British Columbia
  Ministry of Children and Family Development
  Adoption Branch
  Tel: (250) 387-1317
  Fax: (250) 356-1864

• Manitoba
  Department of Families, Child Protective Services Branch
  Child and Family Services
  Intercountry Adoptions Specialist
  Tel: (204) 945-7274
  Fax: (204) 945-6717

• New Brunswick
  Department of Social Development
  Tel: (506) 444-2859
  Fax: (506) 453-2082

• Newfoundland and Labrador
  Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
  Tel: (709) 729-3527
  Fax: (709) 729-1853

• Northwest Territories
  Department of Health and Social Services
  Tel: (867) 767-9061 ext. 49866
  Fax: (867) 873-7706

• Nova Scotia
  Department of Community Services
  Manager of Adoption and Foster Care
  Tel: (902) 424-3205
  Fax: (902) 424-0708

• Nunavut
  Department of Family Services
  Tel: (867) 975-5227
  Fax: (867) 975-5298

• Ontario
  Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  Tel: (416) 327-4736
  Fax: (416) 212-6799

• Prince Edward Island
  Ministry of Social Development and Housing
  Tel: (902) 368-6515
  Fax: (902) 620-3776

• Quebec
  Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
  Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale (SAI)
  Tel: (514) 873-5226 or 1-800-561-0246
  Fax: (514) 873-0157

   

• Saskatchewan
  Department of Social Services
  Tel: (306) 787-5698
  Fax: (306) 789-0038

• Yukon
  Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
  Family and Children’s Services
  Tel: (867) 667-3002
  Fax: (867) 393-6204

   

Adoptions completed abroad

The requirements that must be met for sponsorships of children adopted abroad are as follows:

• the child was under the age of 18 when the adoption took place;
• the adoption was in the best interests of the child.

What does ‘the best interests of the child’ mean?

The best interests of the child means that:

• a competent authority had conducted or approved a home study of the adoptive parents;
• before the adoption, the child’s parents gave their free and informed consent to the child’s adoption;
• the adoption created a genuine parent-child relationship;
• the adoption was in accordance with the laws of the place where the adoption took place;
• the adoption was in accordance with the laws of the sponsor’s country of residence;
  • if the sponsor lived in Canada at the time the adoption took place, the competent authority of the child’s province of intended destination must have stated in writing that it does not object to the adoption;
• if the adoption was subject to the Hague Convention on Adoption, the competent authority of the country where the adoption took place and the province of destination have stated in writing that they approve the adoption as conforming to the Convention;
• if the adoption was not subject to the Hague Convention on Adoption, there is no evidence that the adoption is for the purpose of child trafficking or undue gain within the meaning of the Convention.

Adoptions completed in Canada

The requirements that must be met for sponsorships of children adopted in Canada are as follows:

• the child is under the age of 18;
• there is no evidence that the adoption is for the purpose of acquiring any privileges or status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• if the adoption was subject to the Hague Convention on Adoption, the competent authority of the country in which the child lives and the province of destination of that child have stated in writing that they approve the adoption as conforming to the Convention;
• if the adoption was not subject to the Hague Convention on Adoption,
• the child has been placed for adoption in the country in which they live or is legally available in that country for adoption and there is no evidence that the adoption is for the purpose of child trafficking or undue gain within the meaning of the Convention and
• the competent authority of the child’s province of intended destination must have stated in writing that it does not object to the adoption.

Unnamed child

Sponsorships for children who are not yet identified are accepted; once the child is identified, the sponsor must notify the appropriate visa office and provincial authority.

For Quebec residents, contact the office of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for sponsorship requirements in Quebec

Sibling adoptions

Medical Condition Statement

1. You will have to satisfy the visa office that you have obtained good and reliable information about the child’s health status before a permanent resident visa can be issued to that child if you are sponsoring:
   • a child you have adopted or are in the process of adopting outside Canada and you were or are living in Canada at the time the adoption took/takes place, or
   • a child you intend to adopt in Canada, or
   • an orphaned brother, sister, nephew or niece.
2. You may obtain this information from authorities in the country of adoption, through an independent medical examination or from the child’s immigration medical record.
3. Once you have obtained the information with respect to the child’s medical condition, read the Medical Condition Statement [IMM 0133] (PDF, 2.3 MB) provided, complete the bottom portion, sign it and send it to the visa office processing the permanent residence application submitted on behalf of the child.

Requirements for issuing an immigration visa

For all adoption cases, there is an immigration requirement prior to visa issuance:

• to obtain a letter from the provincial or territorial authorities stating that they have no objection to the adoption. IRCC will make this request directly to the appropriate provincial or territorial authorities at the time of the sponsorship approval;
• to provide a written statement confirming that the sponsor of a child has obtained information about the medical condition of the child whom the sponsor has adopted or is in the process of adopting outside Canada, or intends to adopt in Canada. Read the Medical Condition Statement.

More information on adoptions

For more information, contact the provincial and territorial authorities or visit Adopt a child.

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