Sponsor your other relatives to live with you in Canada as PR
Other Relatives sponsorship covers two narrow exceptions: an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild under 18; or one relative of any age under the Lonely Canadian rule when no closer eligible relatives exist.
Family reunification for limited circumstances.
Other Relatives sponsorship is the most restricted pathway in Canada’s Family Class. It applies only in two narrow legal exceptions: orphaned brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren under 18; and the Lonely Canadian rule, which allows sponsoring one relative of any age when no closer eligible family members exist. Most clients exploring this pathway end up qualifying for none, which is why an early eligibility check matters. The sections below walk through both pathways and the financial obligations that apply.
Verify your eligibility
Confirm you meet the requirements
Sponsoring an other relative requires meeting the LICO income threshold for three consecutive tax years and proving the case fits one of two narrow legal categories. Reviewing eligibility before filing prevents wasted fees and refusals on technical grounds.
Orphaned relative, 5 conditions that must all be met
Under IRPR 117(1)(f), all five conditions must be satisfied at the time of application. If any single condition fails, the case does not qualify for this pathway.
01
Relationship
Sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild
02
Family link
Related by blood or adoption
03
Both parents
Mother and father deceased
04
Age
Under 18 years old
05
Marital status
Single, no common-law or conjugal
Cases that do not qualify
A child does not qualify if: one parent is still alive, parents’ whereabouts are unknown, parents have abandoned the child, someone other than the parents is caring for the child while one or both parents are alive, or a parent is in jail or otherwise detained.
Source: IRPR 117(1)(f) · Guide IMM 5196 · canada.ca
When a Canadian is legally alone
This pathway exists for Canadians who have no close family left in the world. It is the most restricted sponsorship category in Canada’s immigration system, and most people who think they qualify do not.
The test
The sponsor must have no close family
The sponsor must have no relatives in any of the categories below who are alive anywhere in the world. The test applies whether the relative lives in Canada or abroad, and whether or not the sponsor has any contact with them. If a single relative in any listed category is alive, the sponsor cannot use this pathway.
Relatives the sponsor cannot have alive
The test is about whether the relative exists, not whether the sponsor has a relationship with them. An estranged parent, an untraceable sibling, or a relative the sponsor has never met all count.
Who can be sponsored
One relative, by blood or adoption
If the sponsor passes the test, they may sponsor one relative, of any age, related by blood or legal adoption. Because the rule excludes immediate family, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, the relatives who actually qualify are typically more distant. A cousin is the most common example.
Relatives who typically qualify
In-laws never qualify. Step-relatives without legal adoption never qualify. The relationship must be by blood or adoption.
Source: IRPR 117(1)(h) · canada.ca
Financial commitment and obligations
Sponsoring an Other Relative requires signing a 10 year undertaking and meeting the LICO income threshold. Income must be demonstrated through documents covering the past 12 months. Co-signers are permitted.
Standard undertaking
10 years
For any sponsored Other Relative.
Income required
LICO
Documents must cover the past 12 months. The minimum necessary income is set annually by the Government of Canada under the Low Income Cut-Off scale.
Co-signer
Allowed
A spouse or common-law partner may co-sign to help meet the income threshold. The co-signer is equally liable for the full term of the undertaking.
Quebec
Paused
MIFI is not accepting another relative undertakings from Quebec residents until June 25, 2026. Federal applications can still be filed during the pause.
The undertaking is unconditional. It remains valid even if the sponsor’s financial situation deteriorates, the relationship breaks down, or the sponsor moves provinces. Granting Canadian citizenship to the sponsored person does not cancel the obligation.
Source: IRCC Guide IMM 5196 · IRPR 132(1) · canada.ca
What you need to submit
Other Relatives applications include four document categories. Pathway-specific evidence is critical: orphan cases require death certificates of both parents; Lonely Canadian cases require proof that no closer eligible relatives exist.
Sponsor forms
- IMM 1344 · Application to Sponsor and Undertaking
- IMM 5287 · Document Checklist Sponsor
- IMM 1283 · Financial Evaluation (LICO required)
- IMM 5476 · Use of Representative (if applicable)
Applicant forms
- IMM 0008 · Generic Application for Canada
- IMM 0008DEP · Additional Dependants Declaration (if applicable)
- IMM 5669 · Schedule A Background and Declaration
- IMM 5604 · Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent (for minors)
Civil documents
- Death certificates of both parents (orphan cases)
- Birth certificate proving the family relationship
- Passport or travel documents
- Two photos to IRCC specifications
- Custody or guardianship documents (for minors)
- Family composition declaration (Lonely Canadian cases)
- Country-specific civil documents
Background checks
- Medical exam when requested by IRCC
- Police certificates for any country lived in 6 or more consecutive months since age 18
- Biometrics for applicants 14 to 79 years old
- Sponsor income proof for the three preceding tax years
Source: IRCC Guide IMM 5196 · Document Checklist IMM 5287 · canada.ca
Current processing times
IRCC does not publish a service standard for Other Relatives sponsorship. Times vary significantly by country, case complexity, and whether the file requires verification of the closer relative test under the Lonely Canadian rule. Detailed timelines by country, updated weekly, are in our processing times tool.
See live processing times by country →Appeal a refusal
Challenge the decision within 30 days
Other Relatives refusals can be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division within 30 days. Common grounds include disputes over whether closer eligible relatives exist, relationship documentation, and LICO income threshold determinations. Appeals are litigation style proceedings with strict deadlines and limited remedies once the period expires.
Why hire an RCIC?
Family sponsorship refusals most often stem from insufficient documentation, missed eligibility conditions, or incomplete submissions. Family Class refusals can be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within 30 days, but appeals are litigation-style proceedings. Mistakes are expensive: lost fees, family separation, and limited remedies.
Under Canadian law, paid representation before IRCC is restricted to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), lawyers, and Quebec notaries. RCICs are licensed and regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), with mandatory continuing education and a binding code of ethics.
Megrez Immigration Consultants is a CICC licensed firm and has operated in Vancouver since 1996.
Related Services
Family Class sponsorship requires precise eligibility analysis and complete documentation.
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