You cannot be a sponsor if you:

Were sponsored by a spouse or partner and became a Permanent Resident less than five years ago;
Were sponsored by a previous spouse or partner and three years have not passed since this person became a Permanent Resident;
Are in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking;
Are in the process of a bankruptcy proceeding;
Receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability;
Were convicted of a violent or sexual offence or are in jail;
Are under a removal order; or
Have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner or child and a decision has not yet been made.

If you are sponsoring a spouse or partner, the sponsored spouse must be at least 18 years old and the relationship must be a genuine one.

If you are sponsoring a child, the child must be under 22 years old and unmarried. If the child is older than 22 years of age and dependent on the parent’s financial support because of a mental or physical condition, then that child may also qualify to be sponsored despite being older than 22 years of age. Once the sponsorship application is in process, sponsored family members over the age of 18 years old will need to submit police certificates and all family members will need to have a medical exam.