Can I sponsor relatives such as my brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchildren for permanent residence?

Generally speaking, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can only sponsor their spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents. However, in some very limited exceptions, you may be able to sponsor another relative.

You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild only if:

• you are both related by blood or adoption

• both their parents have passed away (orphaned)

• they are under 18 years of age

• they are single

You cannot sponsor a brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild if:

• either of their parents is still alive

• the whereabouts of their parents is unknown

• they were abandoned by their parents

• their parents are living but they are being cared for by someone else

• their parent is in jail or otherwise detained

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Can I sponsor any other kind of relative?

You may be able to sponsor one other relative of any age, related the you as the sponsor by blood or adoption, if all of the conditions are met:

• You (the sponsor) have no living relative who you can sponsor to Canada as a permanent resident, such as a:

  • a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner;

  • Son or daughter;

  • Parent or grandparent; or

  • Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild.

• You do not have any relatives (including aunts or uncles or any of the relatives listed above) in Canada who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

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