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.

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 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.

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 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