Family Sponsorship Lawyers

Want to bring your spouse, partner, children or parents to live with you in Canada? A spousal or family sponsorship lawyer can tell you whether you qualify, build an application that shows your relationship clearly, and step in if the file runs into questions, an interview or a refusal. On this page you can compare lawyers who handle family sponsorship in Quebec, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

What a family sponsorship lawyer does

Sponsorship lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident support a close family member's application for permanent residence. A lawyer in this area checks that both the sponsor and the person being sponsored meet the rules, explains which program fits, reviews the forms and supporting evidence, and answers letters from immigration officers. When something goes wrong, the same lawyer can prepare you for an interview, respond to a procedural fairness letter or represent you on an appeal.

Family sponsorship is part of immigration law. For work permits, study permits, refugee claims or other immigration matters, see our page on immigration lawyers.

Who you can sponsor

• A spouse: a person you are legally married to, whether the marriage took place in Canada or abroad.
• A common-law partner: a person you have lived with in a marital-type relationship for the period the rules require.
• A conjugal partner: a partner living outside Canada with whom you have a committed relationship, when real obstacles have kept you from marrying or living together.
• Dependent children: your own or your partner's children who meet the definition of a dependent child.
• Parents and grandparents: through a separate program that opens in limited intakes, so not everyone who wishes to apply can do so in a given period.

The sponsor generally has to be at least 18, be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a person registered under the Indian Act, and agree to support the family member financially for a set period. Some situations can make a sponsor ineligible, such as certain past convictions or not having respected a previous sponsorship undertaking or support order.

How sponsorship works in Quebec

Immigration is shared between Ottawa and Quebec, so a Quebec sponsor deals with two governments. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) decides whether the sponsor is eligible and whether the family member can be admitted, following the federal family sponsorship rules.

In Quebec, the sponsor also signs an undertaking with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). Quebec reviews that undertaking under its own rules, and for some family members it also looks at the sponsor's financial capacity. The federal file cannot be finalized until Quebec has accepted the undertaking. The Quebec government's sponsorship page explains the provincial steps.

Because two sets of forms and requirements run side by side, a missing document or an inconsistency between the federal and Quebec files is a common cause of delay. A lawyer can keep both files aligned.

Proving a genuine relationship

For spouses and partners, the heart of the file is showing that the relationship is real and was not entered into mainly to obtain immigration status. Officers look at the whole history of the relationship, not just a marriage certificate.

• How and when you met, and how the relationship developed.
• Time spent together: travel records, photos over time, visits.
• Ongoing communication and involvement in each other's lives.
• Shared life: a lease, joint accounts, shared bills, children together.
• Knowledge of each other's families and plans for the future.

If an officer has doubts, they may send a letter asking for more information or call one or both partners to an interview. A lawyer can help you understand the concerns raised, organize additional evidence and prepare for the kinds of questions usually asked.

Refusals and appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division

When a family sponsorship application is refused, the sponsor can often appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board. The IAD can review whether the decision was legally correct and, in many cases, whether humanitarian and compassionate considerations justify allowing the appeal.

Appeal deadlines are short and strict. Some refusals, for example certain ones based on serious criminality or misrepresentation, carry no right of appeal to the IAD, and the only option may be a judicial review before the Federal Court. A lawyer can tell you quickly which route applies and whether reapplying is a better strategy.

Inadmissibility issues

Even with a genuine relationship, the person being sponsored must be admissible to Canada. Common problems include a criminal record, health issues that raise concerns, past immigration violations, or misrepresentation, which covers giving false information or leaving out important facts. Misrepresentation can lead to a ban on applying again for several years, so it is worth getting advice before you answer a question you are unsure about. A lawyer can assess the risk and, where possible, raise rehabilitation or other remedies.

When to get a spousal sponsorship lawyer

• Your relationship is recent, long-distance or does not fit a typical pattern.
• You or your partner has a criminal record or a past refusal.
• You received a procedural fairness letter or an interview notice.
• Your application was refused and you are considering an appeal.
• You are unsure whether you meet the Quebec undertaking requirements.

Preparing for your consultation

• Identity and status documents for you and your family member.
• Your marriage certificate or evidence of cohabitation.
• Evidence of the relationship: photos, messages, travel records.
• Any previous applications, refusal letters or IAD documents.
• A short timeline of the relationship and your questions.

For tips on picking the right person, read our guide on how to choose a lawyer in Quebec.

Compare and book on JustiConnect

Browse the lawyers listed below, filter by location, rates, language and availability, and book a consultation directly. Each lawyer sets their own rates, and you can see them before you book. You can also search family sponsorship lawyers or see family sponsorship lawyers in Montreal.

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements to sponsor a spouse in Canada?

The sponsor must generally be an adult Canadian citizen or permanent resident, sign an undertaking to support the spouse, and not be barred from sponsoring. The couple must show a genuine relationship, and the spouse must be admissible to Canada. In Quebec, the sponsor also signs an undertaking with the MIFI.

Do I need a lawyer to sponsor my spouse?

No, many people apply on their own. A lawyer is most useful when the relationship is unusual, there is a past refusal or criminal record, or the file has already drawn an officer's concerns.

Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?

Possibly. Parents and grandparents are sponsored through a separate program that accepts applications only in limited intakes. A lawyer can explain whether you may qualify and what alternatives exist for longer visits.

What happens if my sponsorship is refused?

Read the refusal letter carefully and get advice quickly, because the appeal deadline is short. Depending on the reason, you may be able to appeal to the IAD, seek judicial review or submit a new, stronger application.

Will we have to attend an interview?

Not always. Officers call interviews when they need to clarify something about the relationship or the file. If you are called, a lawyer can help you prepare.