Canada permits sponsorship of certain relatives in two limited situations: an orphaned minor relative, or one other relative where the sponsor meets strict family circumstances.
A brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild may qualify if related to the sponsor by blood or adoption. The child must be under 18, unmarried and not in a common-law relationship, and both parents must have died.
This route has its own eligibility rules. A sponsor does not have to satisfy the separate “one other relative” family-circumstances test below.
Abandonment, missing parents, imprisonment or care by another person does not meet the orphan requirement while either parent remains alive.
An orphaned cousin is outside this category. An adult sibling also cannot qualify through the orphaned-minor provision.
Sometimes called the “lonely Canadian” rule, this is a narrow legal exception. Living alone or feeling isolated is not enough.
The sponsor must have no living spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent or qualifying orphaned relative whose permanent residence they could otherwise sponsor.
The sponsor must also have no spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered under the Indian Act. The statutory test concerns status, not simply where that person lives.
The chosen relative must be related by blood or adoption. Their accompanying spouse or partner and dependent children must be included in the application. A friend cannot be sponsored through this category.
The sponsor must be at least 18, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, live in Canada and meet the applicable income requirements. IRCC requires the primary residential address to remain in Canada through the decision.
Social assistance other than for disability, undischarged bankruptcy, certain convictions, removal orders or defaults on support or past undertakings may prevent sponsorship.
Outside Quebec, the undertaking for these other-relative categories generally lasts 10 years from permanent residence. The sponsor must support basic needs and repay social assistance paid during that period. Employment or family disagreements do not simply cancel the obligation.
Quebec has separate sponsorship requirements and an undertaking process. We confirm the applicable provincial rules before filing.
Birth and adoption records connecting each generation; marriage and civil-status records; a family tree identifying living relatives, their status and locations.
Both parents’ death certificates, proof of age and relationship, and guardianship or custody documents relevant to the child’s care and travel.
Canadian status, residence and income evidence; passports; prior immigration records; and information about accompanying family members.
We first assess the category and evidence, then prepare the sponsorship and permanent residence application. IRCC assesses sponsor eligibility and the applicant’s admissibility and may request medical examinations, police certificates, biometrics or further documents. Processing time varies by case and country.
Reviewed September 30, 2026 against IRCC’s other-relative sponsorship guidance and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, sections 117 and 132. General information; eligibility depends on the complete facts and applicable rules.
We can review your family circumstances, confirm the available category and identify the evidence needed.