Why Family Reunification Matters

Few things are as important as family. For immigrants who have built a life in Quebec, being separated from loved ones can feel like an unfinished chapter. The family sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their spouses, children, parents, or grandparents under Canada’s immigration system.

In Quebec, the process is slightly different; it involves both the federal government (IRCC) and the provincial immigration ministry (MIFI).

At Guzun & Associates Lawyers, our immigration lawyers in Montreal help clients navigate both levels of this process, ensuring every step complies with Quebec’s specific requirements.

What Is Family Sponsorship?

Family sponsorship is a federal immigration program that allows eligible Canadians and permanent residents to sponsor close family members to become permanent residents of Canada.

The idea behind it is simple: families should be able to live together and support each other in Canada.

There are two main parts to every sponsorship:

1. The sponsor – the person who already lives in Canada and commits to supporting the family member financially.
2. The sponsored person – the family member abroad (or already in Canada with temporary status) applying for permanent residence.

Who Can Sponsor and Who Can Be Sponsored

You may be eligible to sponsor if you:

• Are 18 years or older;
• Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act;
• Live in Canada (citizens living abroad must prove intent to return to Canada once the relative arrives);
• Are not bankrupt, not in prison, and not under a removal order;
• Have no outstanding sponsorship undertakings or unpaid support obligations.

You can sponsor:

• Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner;
• Your dependent child (biological or adopted);
• In specific programs, your parents or grandparents (under the Parents and Grandparents Program – PGP).

Other relatives (siblings, aunts, uncles) are not usually eligible, except in rare cases when the sponsor has no other close family in Canada.

The Sponsorship Process in Quebec

Unlike other provinces, Quebec has its own additional immigration step. After the federal sponsorship is approved in principle by IRCC, the sponsor must also be approved by MIFI (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration).

The process has two stages:

1. Stage 1 – Federal (IRCC)
   • The sponsor applies to IRCC for sponsorship approval.
   • IRCC verifies eligibility and checks if the relationship is genuine.
2. Stage 2 – Provincial (Quebec / MIFI)
   • Once IRCC approves, you must submit an undertaking application to MIFI.
   • If approved, MIFI issues a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) for the sponsored person.
   • IRCC then continues processing the permanent residence application.

During this time, you must sign a financial undertaking – a binding promise to support your family member for a set period:

• 3 years for a spouse or partner;
• 10 years for a parent or grandparent (if you live in Québec, for the rest of Canada it is 20 years);
• 10 years (or until age 18) for dependent children.

Quebec’s Temporary Pause on Some Sponsorship Applications

As of June 25, 2024, the MIFI (Quebec Immigration Ministry) temporarily suspended the intake of new undertaking applications for certain family sponsorship categories until June 25, 2026.

This means that for now, sponsors in Quebec may only submit applications in specific, limited categories or must wait until the intake reopens.
This pause is aimed at controlling processing volumes and maintaining reasonable timelines.

Before applying, always verify the current rules on the official MIFI website.
At Guzun & Associates, we help clients assess eligibility, prepare applications in advance, and stay ready to submit as soon as new quotas open.

Processing Times

Processing times vary based on category and workload.
Generally:

• Spouse or partner sponsorship: around 12–18 months on average;
• Parent or grandparent sponsorship: longer, often 24–36 months;
• Dependent children: typically under 12 months.

However, IRCC updates these timelines regularly, so it’s best to check the latest figures on the IRCC processing time tool..

Common Challenges and How to Avoid Refusals

Even a small mistake in a sponsorship application can lead to significant delays or refusals.
The most frequent issues include:

• Missing financial documentation for the undertaking;
• Incomplete proof of genuine relationship;
• Failing to update MIFI/IRCC on changes in status or address;
• Misunderstanding Quebec’s dual-approval requirement.

Our lawyers ensure that every form, declaration, and supporting document meets both federal and Quebec legal standards before submission.

How Guzun & Associates Supports Your Family Sponsorship

At Guzun & Associates Lawyers, we guide clients through every stage of family reunification, from preparing the sponsorship file to communication with both IRCC and MIFI.

Our family immigration lawyers:

• Evaluate eligibility under federal and Quebec rules;
• Prepare and submit complete applications to IRCC and MIFI;
• Advise on financial undertakings and CSQ process;
• Handle correspondence, requests for additional documents, or hearings if necessary.

Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, a child, or a parent, we help you navigate the process efficiently and minimize waiting times.

Contact Our Family Immigration Lawyers in Montreal

If you want to reunite your family in Quebec, start with a consultation today.

📞 Call: +1 (514) 842-7414
📧 Email: office@avocatguzun.com
📍 Visit: 105-1 rue McGill, Suite 15B, Montreal, Quebec

At Guzun & Associates, we understand that every sponsorship case carries both emotional and legal weight.

Our goal is to help you bring your loved ones home with confidence, compassion, and clarity.