What is the Length of Time You Must Support a Sponsored Relative or Family Member?
When you sponsor a relative or family member to become a permanent resident of Canada, you must promise to support that person and accompanying family members for a period of three to 10 years, depending on their age and relationship to you. This unconditional promise of support comes in the form of a legal contract with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This contract is called an Undertaking. You must also sign a Sponsorship Agreement with the person you are sponsoring and all accompanying family members with an outline of your commitment to support them and their commitment to make every effort to be self-supporting. Dependent children under the age of 22 do not have to sign the Sponsorship Agreement. You must provide financial support for the relatives or family members you are sponsoring depending on their age and relationship to you.
