Bringing your loved ones to Canada is a deeply personal journey. As experienced immigration consultant based in Surrey,BC, United World Immigration Services Inc provides comprehensive family sponsorship visa services to guide you every step of the way. The Family Class sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, and dependent children for Canadian permanent residence. This program also covers other family members in certain cases (e.g. adopted children or orphaned relatives). Our team helps you navigate eligibility, paperwork and changing rules, ensuring the sponsorship process is as smooth as possible for Vancouver and Surrey families.

We understand that each family’s situation is unique. Whether you’re sponsoring a spouse who lives abroad, bringing a fiancé(e) under a conditional PR process, or including your dependent child in your sponsorship application, our family sponsorship visa consultants are here to help. We keep up to date with the latest government announcements, fee changes, and processing timelines so you can avoid surprises. For instance, IRCC’s current fee schedule shows the sponsorship fee is now $85 (up from $75) and the principal applicant processing fee is $545 (up from $490). We explain these costs clearly and help you budget accordingly.

Understanding the Family Sponsorship Visa Process

Sponsoring a family member is a legal commitment. To be eligible, the sponsor must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who plans to live in Canada when the newcomer arrives. You must also sign an undertaking agreeing to financially support your family member for a specified period (usually 3–10 years). Sponsors cannot be receiving social assistance (except disability) or be in default of immigration-related debts. We explain these requirements in plain language and help you gather the necessary documents, such as proof of status and income, ensuring you meet IRCC’s criteria.

Who can be sponsored? You can generally sponsor your spouse (legally married), common-law partner (lived together continuously for 1 year), or conjugal partner (in an exclusive relationship, often where legal barriers prevent marriage). Both sponsors and applicants must be at least 18 years old and in a genuine relationship (not entered into primarily for immigration purposes). Dependent children are also eligible. A “dependent child” is usually under 22 and single, or older with a disability who has been financially dependent on you since before age 22. We guide you on defining your relationship, collecting evidence (like marriage certificates, photos, travel documents, joint leases, etc.), and proving genuine intent.

Notably, there is usually no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or child. Unlike parent sponsorship, you don’t have to meet a minimum income threshold to sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child. You only need to demonstrate sufficient finances if your dependent has a dependent of their own. (If you were sponsoring a parent or grandparent, different rules and a lottery system apply) We clarify these distinctions so you won’t worry about unnecessary income paperwork for typical family sponsorship.

Recent Updates: Fees, Processing Times, and New Pathways

Canada’s immigration rules change frequently. It’s crucial to be aware of recent updates. For example, on April 30, 2024, IRCC raised all permanent residence application fees to account for inflation. The sponsorship application fee went from $75 to $85, and the principal applicant processing fee from $490 to $545. The right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) also increased (for principal applicants it’s now $575, up $60). We keep track of these changes so you pay the right fees and avoid delays (IRCC allows you to pay fees only when you file the sponsorship, if you prefer to preserve funds until needed).

Processing times have also shifted. According to the latest IRCC update (May 2025), a typical outland spousal sponsorship (sponsor living in Canada, spouse abroad) takes about 10 months (80th percentile). An inland spousal sponsorship (spouse already in Canada with temporary status) may take longer – around 29 months. Sponsoring parents or grandparents is even slower (averaging 36 months). We will advise you on current wait times and encourage you to apply well in advance if possible. Recent policy shifts have also impacted these times: Canada has slightly reduced its sponsorship targets for 2025 (to about 70,000 landings for spouses/children, and 24,500 for parents/GPs), which may influence visa invitations and processing volumes.

There are also special pathways announced for families in conflict zones. For example, a temporary safe-haven program was introduced for Canadians with family in Gaza (valid until Apr 2025) allowing expedited visas up to 3 years and access to federal health and study/work permits. Likewise, a special sponsorship pathway for Sudanese family members of Canadians runs until Oct 2025. These programs are complex; we can explain if they apply to your situation.

Processing Times for Sponsorship Applications

IRCC provides target times as estimates only, but they are good planning tools. According to the May 2025 update, approximate processing times (80% of cases) are:

• Spouse/common-law partner outside Canada (outside Quebec): ~10 months.
• Spouse/common-law partner inside Canada (outside Quebec): ~29 months.
• Parents and Grandparents (outside Quebec): ~36 months.

(Quebec and in-Quebec applications typically take longer due to provincial processing.) These timelines assume a complete application. We double-check all forms and documents before submission to avoid IRCC requests for more information, which can significantly extend the process. By thoroughly preparing your application package – including the correct sponsorship forms, statutory declarations, background documents, and proof of relationship – we help keep your file on track.

Why Choose a Family Sponsorship Visa Consultant in Vancouver

Navigating Canadian immigration law can be overwhelming. As licensed consultants, we speak the language of IRCC. When you work with us, you benefit from our local expertise and personal attention. We handle complex details – such as drafting the sponsor’s “undertaking” obligation, organizing joint sponsorship evidence (for common-law cases), and ensuring medical, criminal, and other eligibility criteria are satisfied. Our clients consistently appreciate that we clarify confusing policies and respond quickly to their questions.

Choosing an experienced spousal sponsorship immigration consultant means your application is more likely to be accurate and complete on the first try. This saves time and avoids costly mistakes. For instance, misinterpreting IRCC’s guidelines or missing a required document can trigger a refusal or a returned application. We also stay informed about updates (for example, recent limits on open work permits for student spouses) so we can provide timely advice. Many local families in Vancouver and Surrey have relied on our guidance to reunite safely and legally.

FAQs

Q. 1 Who can sponsor family members?
A sponsor must be ≥18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and live in Canada (or plan to live here upon the family member’s arrival). You must also commit to financially support your relative by signing an undertaking. You cannot sponsor if you are on social assistance (for reasons other than disability) or in default of immigration loans.

Q. 2 Which family members are eligible?
You can sponsor your legally married spouse, common-law partner (partner of either gender who has cohabited continuously for 1 year) or conjugal partner (in a genuine relationship but unable to legally marry). Dependent children (under 22, single; or over 22 with a disability) of you or your partner are eligible. 

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor:

• A dependent child, including adopted children;
• An orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild, if they are under 18, not married or in a common-law relationship, and their parents are deceased.

Q. 3 What is the current processing time?
Times vary by case. As of May 2025, IRCC reports about 10 months for a typical outside-Canada spouse sponsorship. Inland spousal applications can take around 29 months. Parent sponsorship applications average around 36 months. These are estimates (80% of cases) and can change. Our consultants will track your application and advise if IRCC issues any status updates.

Q. 4 How much does it cost?
Current IRCC fees (as of mid-2024) include an $85 sponsorship fee and a $545 processing fee for the principal applicant. The right of permanent residence fee is $575 (for the sponsored person). All together, sponsoring a spouse costs about $1,205 CAD. If you include dependent children, additional fees apply. We provide an exact fee breakdown tailored to your application.

Q. 5 Is a minimum income required?
For spousal and dependent sponsorships, no fixed income threshold is needed. You simply must demonstrate enough funds to meet basic needs. (If you were sponsoring a parent/grandparent, a minimum income requirement would apply, but that program is invite-only.)

Q. 6 Why hire a sponsorship visa consultant?
Working with a professional ensures your application follows IRCC rules. We prepare your forms accurately, collect and translate documents, and anticipate IRCC’s questions. This level of care reduces delays and refusals. For many families, hiring a consultant is a worthwhile investment in peace of mind and faster reunification.

Contact Our Family Sponsorship Visa Consultants

“Ready to reunite with your loved ones in Canada? Our experienced immigration consultants are here to guide you through every step of the family sponsorship process.”

 Contact UW Immigration to discuss your case and get personalized advice:

• Phone: (778) 389-1920
• Email: contact@uwimmigration.com

We look forward to assisting you with your family sponsorship visa needs. Let us put our expertise to work so you can focus on what matters most – welcoming your loved ones home.

Sources: Official IRCC documentation and recent announcements on family sponsorship fees, eligibility, and processing times. (All information current as of 2025.)