Family sponsorship is legal work built around a human relationship.
Sponsorship must satisfy legal and evidentiary requirements, but behind every file is a real relationship. Both sides deserve careful attention.
What we help with
- Spousal and common-law partner sponsorship, and conjugal partner sponsorship where the category is genuinely relevant
- Dependent child sponsorship
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class and Family Class considerations
- Parent and grandparent sponsorship, when invitations and program intake permit
- Super Visa as a temporary-residence alternative when a permanent pathway is not currently available, linking to Temporary Residence
- Sponsor eligibility review, relationship evidence strategy, previous relationships, immigration history, and family composition
- Procedural fairness responses, interview preparation and refusal support
The relationship is real. The evidence still has to tell the story.
Officers do not know your relationship. They know what the file shows. Strong evidence is coherent, proportionate and contextual: it fits the timeline, it reflects how you actually live, and it explains the parts of your history that a stranger would need explained. It does not need to be voluminous, and volume alone rarely helps.
We work through the record with you, decide what belongs in the application and what would confuse an officer, and prepare submissions that address the legal test rather than performing the relationship.
Why family files become complex
Complexity does not mean weakness. Many strong files include one or more of the following, and none of these factors, on its own, causes a refusal. What matters is how the story is presented.
- Prior refusals in this or another category
- Long-distance history before the relationship
- Cultural or religious context that shapes courtship and family involvement
- Age gaps between partners
- Previous marriages, separations or divorces
- Admissibility considerations, criminal or medical
- Non-accompanying family members whose examination affects the file
- Existing immigration status in Canada, including expired or maintained status
For a plain-language look at the two spousal streams, our Inland or Family Class sponsorship note is a useful place to start. When you are ready, please book a consultation.
Family sponsorship services
Spousal and partner sponsorship
Inland and Family Class routes for spouses, common-law and conjugal partners.
Parents and grandparents sponsorship
Interest to Sponsor, income tests and the current PGP intake status. IRCC paused PGP on July 15, 2026.
Super Visa
Long-stay visitor route while PGP intake is paused.
Not ready to book? Send a short enquiry. Enquiries are not legal advice; please do not include passport numbers, UCI or documents.
A few things clients often ask.
What is the difference between inland and Family Class sponsorship?
The Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (often called inland) applies where the couple lives together in Canada during processing, and it can offer an open work permit while the application is pending where eligibility criteria are met. The Family Class allows sponsorship whether the applicant is inside or outside Canada. Each has different practical implications for travel, work and evidence.
How is a common-law partnership defined at a general level?
A common-law partnership under Canadian immigration law generally requires cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship for a continuous period defined by regulation. Documentary evidence must reflect the shared life, not only the date range. The specific test should be reviewed with a professional against your facts.
Whether a specific relationship history meets the continuous-cohabitation test is fact-specific and worth checking with an RCIC or qualified Canadian immigration legal professional before filing. Book a private consultation.
Can we travel during processing?
Sometimes yes, but travel decisions should reflect the stream, current status, any visa or eTA requirements and any risk of re-entry issues. Under the inland stream in particular, prolonged absences can raise questions. Plan travel carefully rather than assuming approval permits it.
Can the applicant work in Canada during processing?
Where current criteria are met, an inland applicant may be eligible for an open work permit while the sponsorship is being processed. This is not automatic and is subject to the rules in force at the time of application.
What is the difference between parent sponsorship and the Super Visa?
Parent and grandparent sponsorship is a permanent-residence pathway that depends on program intake and invitations. The Super Visa is a long-stay visitor visa for eligible parents and grandparents that allows extended visits without permanent-residence status. The right choice depends on family circumstances and current intake.
Related services and next steps.
Permanent residence
Where sponsorship sits alongside economic and status pathways.
Temporary residence
Super Visa, visitor status and family time while planning next steps.
Refusals and complex matters
Refusal review, procedural fairness and coordinated support.
Information current as of July 2026. Program rules and intake can change without notice.
This page provides general information about Canadian immigration and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your matter, please book a consultation with an RCIC. Learn how to verify your representative.
Speak with an RCIC about your matter.
Consultations are available online worldwide and, by appointment, at our Canadian offices.