Sponsorship Obligations After Landing: Your Complete Duration & Compliance Guide

Executive Summary

When you sponsor someone for Canadian permanent residence, your obligations don’t end when they land—they’re just beginning. Understanding your sponsorship obligations after landing is crucial for avoiding financial liability, maintaining compliance with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and protecting your ability to sponsor others in the future.

Your sponsorship undertaking creates legally binding financial and support obligations that vary dramatically based on your relationship with the sponsored person. Spouses and partners require 3 years of support, while parents and grandparents require a full 20 years. These obligations remain in effect regardless of changes in your relationship, income, or circumstances.

What this means for you: You’re legally responsible for ensuring your sponsored family member doesn’t require social assistance, and if they do, you must repay every dollar to the government. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a legal requirement that can result in collection action, garnished wages, and prohibition from future sponsorships.

The compliance framework involves ongoing monitoring, reporting requirements, and documentation that many sponsors overlook until problems arise. Government tracking systems monitor both sponsor and sponsored person activities, creating a paper trail that affects future immigration applications for your entire family.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Many sponsors assume their obligations end when the sponsored person becomes a Canadian citizen. This is false. Citizenship doesn’t terminate sponsorship obligations—only the passage of the full undertaking period does.

Obligation Duration Framework

Your sponsorship obligations after landing follow a precise timeline determined by your relationship with the sponsored person and their age at the time of landing. These periods are fixed by regulation and cannot be shortened through negotiation or changed circumstances.

Spouse/Partner Sponsorship (3 Years)

For sponsored spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners, the undertaking period lasts exactly 3 years from the date of landing as a permanent resident. This applies regardless of how long you’ve been together before immigration or whether you separate after landing.

What this means for you: Even if your relationship breaks down immediately after landing, you remain financially responsible for your ex-partner’s basic needs for the full 3-year period. Divorce doesn’t eliminate sponsorship obligations.

The 3-year period covers all basic needs including food, clothing, personal requirements, shelter, household items, dental care, and vision care. If your sponsored spouse receives provincial social assistance, you must repay the full amount to the government.

If you’re sponsoring from countries with high refusal rates: Some sponsors from countries like India, Pakistan, or Nigeria attempt to sponsor multiple spouses consecutively. Each sponsorship creates separate 3-year obligations that can overlap, creating significant financial exposure.

Dependent Children (10 Years or Age 25)

Sponsored dependent children are covered until whichever comes first: 10 years from landing or reaching age 25. This creates different obligation periods for children of different ages at landing.

For example, a child who lands at age 18 will have sponsorship obligations until age 25 (7 years), while a child who lands at age 15 will have obligations for the full 10 years, ending when they’re 25.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Parents often assume obligations end when their sponsored child turns 18 or finishes school. The legal obligation continues until age 25, regardless of the child’s education, employment, or independence status.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Create a written agreement with older sponsored children about expectations for education, employment, and financial independence. While this doesn’t change your legal obligations, it establishes clear family expectations.

Parents and Grandparents (20 Years)

The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) creates the longest sponsorship obligations after landing: 20 years from the date of landing. This extended period reflects the likelihood that elderly sponsored persons may require significant healthcare and support services.

For parents and grandparents, the 20-year period is absolute. There are no exceptions for health conditions, pre-existing disabilities, or changes in the sponsor’s circumstances. This obligation can extend well into your own retirement years.

What this means for you: If you sponsor your 65-year-old parents today, you’ll be financially responsible for them until they’re 85. Your own financial planning must account for potentially supporting multiple generations simultaneously.

If you’re applying from countries with limited healthcare systems: Sponsored parents often require significant medical care upon arrival. While provincial healthcare covers insured services, you remain responsible for non-insured services, prescription medications, dental care, and vision care throughout the 20-year period.

Other Relatives (10 Years)

For other eligible relatives (siblings, nieces, nephews, or other qualifying family members), sponsorship obligations last 10 years from landing. This category has the most restrictive eligibility requirements but creates medium-term financial obligations.

The 10-year period applies regardless of the sponsored person’s age at landing, unlike dependent children where age creates a shorter obligation period.

Financial Support Obligations

Your sponsorship undertaking creates comprehensive financial responsibility covering all basic needs that would otherwise be provided through social assistance programs. Understanding exactly what you’re obligated to provide helps prevent inadvertent violations and unexpected government collection actions.

Basic Needs Provision

Basic needs under sponsorship obligations include food, clothing, personal requirements, shelter, household items, dental care, eye care, and other health care not covered by provincial health insurance. These obligations mirror what provincial social assistance programs provide, creating a private safety net funded by sponsors.

What this means for you: You’re essentially replacing the government’s social safety net for your sponsored family member. If they can’t afford food, clothing, or housing, you must provide it—not the government.

Housing obligations are particularly significant. If your sponsored family member can’t afford rent, you must either provide housing directly or pay their housing costs. This applies even if they choose housing you consider unreasonably expensive, though you can guide these decisions.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Some sponsors think they can avoid housing obligations by refusing to co-sign leases or provide housing references. Your legal obligation exists whether or not you facilitate specific housing arrangements.

Social Assistance Repayment

When sponsored persons receive provincial social assistance, welfare, or income support, governments automatically pursue sponsors for full repayment. This process happens regardless of why the sponsored person needed assistance or whether the sponsor knew assistance was being received.

Repayment demands include the principal amount received plus administrative costs and interest. Some provinces charge interest from the date assistance was provided, creating growing debt obligations for sponsors who don’t respond quickly.

If you’re a sponsor in Ontario: The province has particularly aggressive collection procedures for sponsorship debt, including wage garnishment, asset seizure, and liens on real property. Ontario also shares information with IRCC, affecting future sponsorship eligibility.

Collection actions can continue for years after the sponsorship period ends. Outstanding sponsorship debt prevents sponsors from sponsoring additional family members and can affect credit ratings and employment opportunities.

Healthcare Considerations

Provincial health insurance covers most medical services for sponsored persons, but sponsors remain responsible for services not covered by the provincial plan. This includes prescription medications, dental care, vision care, and some specialized treatments.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Purchase comprehensive health insurance for sponsored family members, especially elderly parents. The cost of insurance is often less than the potential out-of-pocket expenses for uncovered services.

Emergency healthcare obligations can be substantial. If a sponsored person requires emergency treatment not covered by provincial insurance, sponsors are legally responsible for payment. This can include air ambulance services, some emergency procedures, and follow-up care.

Emergency Support Requirements

Sponsorship obligations include emergency support that goes beyond routine basic needs. This can include emergency housing due to fires or natural disasters, emergency medical care, emergency travel, and crisis intervention services.

What this means for you: Your sponsorship obligation acts as a comprehensive insurance policy for your sponsored family member. Whatever emergency assistance they might need from government programs, you must provide instead.

Emergency support obligations remain in effect even during sponsor financial hardship. The government doesn’t reduce sponsorship obligations because sponsors experience unemployment, illness, or other financial difficulties.

Monitoring and Compliance

IRCC and provincial governments maintain sophisticated tracking systems that monitor both sponsors and sponsored persons throughout the undertaking period. Understanding these systems helps sponsors maintain compliance and avoid inadvertent violations that can affect future immigration applications.

Government Tracking Systems

The Integrated Customs Enforcement System (ICES) tracks sponsored person entries and exits from Canada. Extended absences can affect sponsorship obligations and create reporting requirements for sponsors.

Social Insurance Number (SIN) tracking connects sponsored persons to employment records, tax filings, and benefit applications. This information feeds into compliance monitoring systems that flag potential undertaking violations.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Some sponsors assume that if their sponsored family member works and pays taxes, their sponsorship obligations are automatically reduced. Employment doesn’t eliminate sponsorship obligations—sponsors remain liable if the sponsored person later needs assistance.

Provincial social assistance databases automatically flag sponsored persons who apply for benefits. This triggers immediate sponsor notification and collection procedures, often before sponsors know their family member applied for assistance.

Reporting Requirements

Sponsors must report significant changes that affect their ability to meet undertaking obligations. This includes changes in income, employment, marital status, and residence. Failure to report changes can void future sponsorship eligibility.

Address changes require notification within 30 days. Both sponsors and sponsored persons must maintain current addresses with IRCC. Failure to maintain current addresses can delay important communications and create compliance issues.

If you’re sponsoring multiple family members: Each sponsorship creates separate reporting obligations. Changes affecting one sponsored person must be reported separately for each active undertaking.

Income changes that affect your ability to meet sponsorship obligations require immediate reporting. This includes job loss, significant income reduction, or new financial obligations that might compromise your ability to support sponsored family members.

Address Change Notifications

Both sponsors and sponsored persons must maintain current addresses with IRCC throughout the undertaking period. Address changes must be reported within 30 days using the online portal or by contacting the IRCC Call Centre.

What this means for you: If IRCC can’t reach you because of an outdated address, you may miss critical communications about compliance issues, debt collection, or future sponsorship restrictions.

Sponsored persons who move without updating their address can create compliance problems for sponsors. If the sponsored person receives social assistance at an address unknown to the sponsor, the sponsor may not receive timely notification of the assistance or repayment obligations.

Income Verification Procedures

IRCC can request income verification from sponsors at any time during the undertaking period. This includes employment records, tax returns, bank statements, and documentation of assets or other income sources.

Income verification requests often arise when sponsored persons apply for social assistance or when sponsors apply to sponsor additional family members. Sponsors must respond to verification requests within specified timeframes to avoid compliance issues.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Maintain organized financial records throughout the undertaking period. Include employment records, tax returns, bank statements, and documentation of any support provided to sponsored family members.

Obligation Modifications

While sponsorship undertakings are generally binding for their full duration, specific circumstances can modify or terminate obligations early. Understanding these exceptions helps sponsors plan for changing circumstances and protect their interests when relationships change.

Relationship Breakdown Effects

Relationship breakdown between sponsors and sponsored spouses doesn’t automatically terminate sponsorship obligations. The 3-year undertaking period continues regardless of separation, divorce, or relationship dissolution.

However, if the sponsored spouse remarries or enters a new common-law relationship, their new partner may assume some practical support responsibilities. This doesn’t legally transfer the sponsorship obligation, but can reduce the sponsor’s practical burden.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Some divorced sponsors stop supporting their ex-spouse assuming the divorce terminates their sponsorship obligations. The legal obligation continues, and unpaid support can result in government collection action.

If you’re going through relationship breakdown: Seek legal advice about family law obligations versus immigration sponsorship obligations. These are separate legal frameworks with different requirements and consequences.

Death of Sponsored Person

The death of a sponsored person immediately terminates sponsorship obligations for future support. However, sponsors may remain liable for any social assistance received before death, including medical expenses and final arrangements if paid by government programs.

Estate claims can complicate sponsorship termination. If the sponsored person’s estate has debts or if final medical expenses exceed estate assets, sponsors may face ongoing financial obligations related to the sponsorship.

Citizenship Acquisition Impact

Canadian citizenship acquisition by the sponsored person does not terminate sponsorship obligations. This is a crucial misunderstanding that affects many sponsors who assume citizenship ends their financial responsibility.

What this means for you: Your sponsored family member can become a Canadian citizen and vote in elections, but you remain financially responsible for their basic needs until the full undertaking period expires.

The only impact of citizenship is that it may affect the sponsored person’s eligibility for certain benefits or programs. However, if they receive social assistance, you remain liable for repayment regardless of their citizenship status.

Transfer Procedures

In rare circumstances, sponsorship obligations can be transferred to another qualifying sponsor. This typically requires IRCC approval and occurs when the original sponsor dies or becomes unable to meet their obligations due to disability.

Transfer procedures are complex and require extensive documentation. The new sponsor must meet all original sponsorship requirements and formally assume the remaining undertaking period.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Include sponsorship obligations in estate planning. Designate backup sponsors or establish financial arrangements to meet obligations if you become unable to fulfill them personally.

Managing Long-Term Obligations

Successfully managing sponsorship obligations requires strategic planning, organized documentation, and proactive communication with sponsored family members. Long-term obligations, particularly the 20-year commitment for parents and grandparents, require comprehensive financial and administrative planning.

Financial Planning Strategies

Calculate the total potential cost of sponsorship obligations before committing. For parent sponsorship, estimate 20 years of potential support including healthcare, housing assistance, and emergency support. Conservative estimates help ensure you can meet obligations throughout the entire period.

Establish dedicated savings for sponsorship obligations. Many successful sponsors create separate accounts specifically for supporting sponsored family members. This ensures funds are available when needed and helps track support expenses for tax and compliance purposes.

What this means for you: Sponsorship obligations can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential liability. Financial planning must account for this obligation alongside your retirement savings, children’s education, and other long-term financial goals.

Consider insurance products that can help meet sponsorship obligations. Life insurance can ensure obligations are met if you die during the undertaking period. Disability insurance can provide income if you become unable to work while sponsorship obligations remain active.

Record Keeping Requirements

Maintain comprehensive records of all support provided to sponsored family members. This includes direct financial support, housing assistance, healthcare expenses, and emergency support. Detailed records protect you during government audits and help demonstrate compliance.

Real mistake we’ve seen—and how to avoid it: Some sponsors provide significant support informally without maintaining records. When collection actions arise, they can’t demonstrate support already provided, resulting in duplicate payments or disputes with government agencies.

Document all communications with sponsored family members about their financial needs and your support. Email records, text messages, and written agreements can demonstrate ongoing support relationships and help resolve disputes about support obligations.

Keep copies of all government correspondence throughout the undertaking period. This includes initial undertaking documents, address change confirmations, and any compliance communications. These documents are crucial for resolving disputes and maintaining compliance.

Communication Protocols

Establish clear communication expectations with sponsored family members about ongoing support needs. Regular check-ins help identify potential problems before they become compliance issues or result in social assistance applications.

If you’re managing multiple sponsorships: Create systematic communication schedules to maintain contact with all sponsored family members. Regular communication helps identify support needs early and prevents emergency situations that might require government assistance.

Discuss financial expectations openly with sponsored family members. While cultural considerations may make these conversations sensitive, clear expectations help prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone understands the support available and limitations.

Professional Support Services

Consider professional assistance for managing complex or long-term sponsorship obligations. Immigration lawyers can help navigate compliance requirements, while financial planners can help structure long-term financial strategies for meeting obligations.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Annual reviews with immigration professionals help ensure ongoing compliance and identify potential issues before they become problems. Professional guidance is particularly valuable for sponsors with multiple active undertakings.

Tax professionals can help optimize the financial impact of sponsorship obligations. Some support expenses may qualify for tax deductions or credits, and professional advice ensures you’re maximizing available benefits while maintaining compliance.