In addition to being a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident, the Sponsor must meet certain requirements for Family Class Immigration Sponsorship:

• The Sponsor must demonstrate the financial ability to provide the Family Sponsorship Immigrant and dependents with their essential needs (should they be unable to provide for themselves):
  • Food, clothing, shelter and other basic requirements of everyday living; and,
  • Dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to all Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents.

The Sponsor must be willing to enter into an agreement with:

• The Government of Canada or Quebec, whereby he or she agrees to provide the above essential needs for a prescribed period of time; and
• The Sponsored relative (if over 22 years of age and not elderly), whereby the Sponsor promises to support the Sponsored person(s) for a prescribed period of time, and the Sponsored person(s) promises to make every effort to become self-supporting.

The Sponsor must have either:

• Physical residency in Canada; or
• For Canadian citizens sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child, a demonstrated intention to reside in Canada by the time the Sponsored family member lands in Canada as a permanent resident.

In addition, the Sponsor must be: at least 18 years old; not in prison; not bankrupt; not under a removal order if a permanent resident; and not charged with a serious offence.