Sponsoring another member of your family
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
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)
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Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: from 8:00 to 16:00
Wednesday: from 10:00 to 16:30
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Montreal area: 514-864-9191
Elsewhere in Québec (toll free): 1-877-864-9191
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Last update: February 23, 2023