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  5. Understanding the responsibilities and obligations related to the undertaking

Understanding the responsibilities and obligations related to the undertaking

An undertaking application is a contract that binds you to the person you sponsor and that person's accompanying family members. You become that person's guarantor.

You will then have responsibilities and obligations to comply with for the entire duration of your undertaking. This is why your undertaking must be taken seriously.

If the person you sponsor is of adult age, that person must sign a declaration confirming a clear understanding of the nature and scope of the undertaking.

Term of undertaking

When you sponsor your mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, the term of your undertaking is 10 years.

If the person you sponsor is accompanied by their minor child, the duration of your undertaking toward the child varies according to the child’s age:

Child under age 16
Minimum age 10, up to age 18. The longer of the two periods is chosen. 

Child age 16 or over
Minimum 3 years, or up to age 25. The longer of the two periods is chosen

General notice

You may not terminate an undertaking once the person you sponsor has obtained a permanent residence visa.

You must honour your undertaking for its entire term, regardless of the circumstances, for example even if: 

  • your  financial situation deteriorates
  • you go through a separation or a divorce 
  • the  person you sponsor obtains Canadian citizenship 
  • you or the sponsored person move(s) to another province

This obligation applies even if the person you sponsor has not yet arrived in Canada.

Your responsibilities to the sponsored person

You have obligations to the person you sponsor and that person’s family members, whether they accompany the sponsored person or not.  Your obligations take effect as soon as the person you sponsor obtains permanent residence. 

Meeting their basic needs

You must meet the basic needs of the person you sponsor and that person's family members, whether they accompany the sponsored person or not.

This obligation applies for the entire term of your undertaking.

Settlement and establishment costs in Québec

You must assume the costs for their:

  • housing
  • furniture
  • travel
  • food
  • clothing
Health-related costs

You must assume the costs not covered or not reimbursed by a public insurance plan for their:

  • health care and services
  • prescription drugs
Employment integration costs

You must assume the costs not covered by a government program for job preparation and job search or employment integration approaches for persons you sponsor.

Support in integration approaches

You undertake to provide the necessary support to the person you are sponsoring and that person's family members in their integration approaches. In particular, you must provide them with assistance and support to:

  • look for a job
  • register their children for school
  • access public services
  • register for francization courses
  • look for a job or make approaches for recognition of studies outside Québec
  • participate in community life in Québec

Your responsibilities to the Gouvernement du Québec

You must repay all the amounts if the person or the family member accompanying that person receives government assistance in the form of:

  • last resort financial assistance (social assistance)
  • special benefits, such as glasses, dental treatment, hearing devices
  • shelter, for example, in a long-term and residential care centre (CHSLD)

The sponsored person's responsibilities to you

The sponsored person must inform you:

  • how his or her basic needs are satisfied
  • any change of address
  • any approach with the aim of obtaining financial assistance, particularly government assistance

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Last update: February 23, 2023

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