Bangladesh → Canada: the Family Sponsorship roadmap
Family Sponsorship is Canada's family-reunification immigration route, letting a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor a close relative (spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, dependent child, or parent/grandparent) for permanent residence. The sponsored person becomes a permanent resident directly, with no points test; the main hurdles are a qualifying relationship and the sponsor's financial undertaking. Fee figures reflect the official IRCC fee schedule increase effective April 30, 2026; processing times vary and the parents/grandparents stream runs on a limited annual intake, so some timelines carry uncertainty.
Moving from Bangladesh
- You apply for the Family Sponsorship at the Canada consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Bangladesh, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Bangladesh usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward Canada's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Bangladesh documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Bangladesh passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Bangladesh to Canada applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by Canada.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Sponsor is a Canadian citizen, registered Indian, or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and residing in Canada (citizens may sponsor from abroad if they intend to return)
- A genuine qualifying relationship exists: spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent child, or parent/grandparent (other relatives only in limited cases)
- Sponsor signs a financial undertaking to support the relative and not let them rely on social assistance (3 years for spouse/partner, 20 years for parents/grandparents)
- No income threshold for sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child; parents/grandparents sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO + 30%) for the 3 most recent tax years
- Sponsor is not in default of a previous undertaking, not bankrupt, not on social assistance (except disability), and not barred by certain criminal convictions
- Sponsored person passes medical, criminality, and security checks and (for adults) provides biometrics
Your step-by-step roadmap
Confirm eligibility and stream
- Verify sponsor status (citizen/PR, 18+) and that the relationship qualifies
- For parents/grandparents, wait for an IRCC intake invitation and confirm Minimum Necessary Income for 3 tax years
- Decide outland vs inland (spouse) and gather relationship and identity evidence
Prepare and submit the application
- Complete the sponsorship application plus the relative's permanent residence application
- Pay government fees online (sponsorship, processing, RPRF, biometrics)
- Submit relationship proof, police certificates, and forms through the IRCC portal
Biometrics, medical, and processing
- Sponsored person gives biometrics and completes an IRCC-approved medical exam
- Respond to any requests for additional documents or an interview
- Inland spouse applicants may apply for an open work permit while waiting
Decision and landing as a permanent resident
- Receive approval and a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
- Complete landing (at a port of entry or virtually) to activate PR status
- Receive PR card and begin counting time toward citizenship
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: End to end, a spouse/partner sponsored from outside Canada typically reaches permanent residence in about 10-12 months (often longer for inland cases), while parents/grandparents sponsorship generally takes around 20-24 months from submission to landing.
Citizenship: The sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident on approval and can apply for Canadian citizenship after physically living in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the preceding 5 years, meeting tax-filing and (ages 18-54) language and knowledge requirements.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.