How long am I financially responsible for the family member or relative I sponsor?
To become a sponsor, you must promise to financially take care of the persons you’re sponsoring for a period of time. We call this promise an undertaking.
The “length of undertaking” is the time period you’re financially responsible for the person you sponsor. It starts on the day the person you sponsor becomes a permanent resident.
The length of undertaking depends on
- the age of the person you sponsor
- their relationship to you
- where you live
- The length of undertaking for residents of Quebec is slightly different.
You’re still financially responsible even if
- your relationship with the person you sponsored changes (for example, divorce or separation)
- the person you sponsored becomes a Canadian citizen
- your financial situation gets worse (for example, job loss or debt)
- you sent us a request to withdraw your sponsorship application and we received it after the person you sponsored has become a permanent resident
| Person you sponsor | Length of undertaking for all provinces except QuebecFootnote 1 |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child (biological or adopted) or child to be adopted in Canada under 22 years of ageFootnote 2 | 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child 22 years of age or olderFootnote 2 | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
| Other relative | 10 years |
The length of undertaking changed on October 24, 2017, to match the new age limit for dependent children. It went from “under 19” to “under 22.”
| Person you sponsor | Length of undertaking in all provinces except Quebec | Length of undertaking in Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years | 3 years |
| Child under 13 years of age | 10 years | 10 years, or until age 18, whichever is longer |
| Child 13 to 19 years old | until age 22 | 3 years, or until age 22, whichever is longer |
| Child over 19 years of age | 3 years | 3 years, or until age 22, whichever is longer |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 yearsFootnote 3 | 10 years |
| Other relative | 10 years | 10 years |
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