Lonely Canadian Sponsorship: Complete Guide to the Other Relative Category

The “Lonely Canadian” sponsorship program is a rare but powerful pathway for Canadians who are truly alone in Canada to sponsor a single close relative.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR 117(1)(h)), you may be able to sponsor one relative of any age (and their immediate family) if you have no other qualifying family members in Canada. Because the eligibility is so strict and often misunderstood, this guide explains the rules in plain language and helps you avoid common traps like the “unsponsorable parent” problem.

Officially known as the Other Relative category under IRCC, the Lonely Canadian rule lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has no close family in Canada sponsor one relative abroad. This can include, for example, a sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or other close family member, depending on your situation. Because the conditions are so specific, many people either mistakenly think they qualify when they do not, or miss the opportunity because they assume it doesn’t apply to them.

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with no spouse, partner, children, parents, or other eligible family members in Canada, you may qualify under this category. Used correctly, the Lonely Canadian sponsorship program can be a unique way to reunite with a loved one who would not qualify under any other family‑class stream.

Eligibility Checklist: Do You Qualify?

To be eligible to sponsor a relative under this category, you must meet all of the following conditions. If even one is false, your application will likely be refused.

• No "Priority" Relatives Abroad: You must not have a living spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, child, parent, or grandparent whom you could sponsor instead.

• No Canadian Relatives: You must not have any relative who is already a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Registered Indian. This includes siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc.

• The "Existence" Rule: If a priority relative (like a parent) is alive anywhere in the world, you are disqualified—even if you are estranged or they don't want to come to Canada.

Common Pitfalls: Why Most Applications Fail

The "Lonely Canadian" pathway is a "last resort" program. IRCC applies a literal interpretation of the law, leading to several common traps for applicants.

1. The "Unsponsorable Parent" Trap

This is the most common reason for refusal. If your mother or father is alive, you cannot sponsor a cousin or adult sibling under this rule.

• The Misconception: "My father has a criminal record and is inadmissible to Canada, so I have no one to sponsor."

• The Reality: IRCC only cares that your father exists. Whether he is eligible to enter Canada or not is irrelevant; his existence alone blocks you from using the "Other Relative" category.

2. The In-Law Restriction

You can only sponsor a relative related to you by blood or legal adoption.

• You cannot sponsor your late spouse’s sister (sister-in-law).

• You cannot sponsor a step-brother (unless they were legally adopted by your parent).

3. The Estrangement Factor

IRCC does not recognize "social loneliness." If you have a brother in England whom you haven't spoken to in 30 years, you are not "lonely" in the eyes of the law. Unless you can provide a Death Certificate, that brother's existence disqualifies your application.

Who Can You Sponsor?

If you meet the "lonely" criteria, you can sponsor one relative of any age, related by blood or adoption. This includes:

• An adult son or daughter

• A brother or sister

• An aunt or uncle

• A niece or nephew

• A cousin

Note: The person you sponsor can bring their own family (spouse and dependent children) with them on the same application.

2025 Financial Requirements (MNI)

Sponsoring a relative is a major financial commitment. You must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for your total family size (yourself + the relatives you are sponsoring).

Family Size2025 Required Income (Estimated LICO)2 People (Sponsor + 1 Relative)$38,0023 People (Sponsor + Relative + Spouse)$46,7204 People$56,724Each Additional Person+$8,224

Note: You must provide a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment (NOA) to prove your income.

How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process

1. Confirm Eligibility: Audit your family tree. Ensure no "priority" relatives are living.

2. Gather Evidence of "Loneliness": Collect death certificates for parents and grandparents.

3. Prepare IRCC Forms: Complete the "Sponsorship of Other Relatives" package via the PR Portal.

4. Sign the Undertaking: You must agree to financially support your relative for 10 to 20 years (depending on their age).

5. Submit and Pay: Pay the processing and Right of Permanent Residence (RPRF) fees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I sponsor my friend if I have no family?

No. This program is strictly for relatives by blood or adoption.

What if my parents are missing?

If you cannot prove they are deceased, you may need to provide significant "best efforts" evidence, such as police reports or affidavits, but these cases are extremely difficult to win without legal help.

Does this apply if I live in Quebec?

Yes, but Quebec has its own additional income scales and a separate "Undertaking" process with MIFI.

Proof of "Loneliness" Checklist

If you believe your situation fits the "Lonely Canadian" fact pattern, you must be prepared to provide exhaustive documentation. IRCC assumes you have family until you prove otherwise.

You will need to gather:

• Detailed Family Tree: A complete map of your lineage (maternal and paternal) including full names, dates of birth, and current status (deceased or living).

• Death Certificates: For parents and all four grandparents.

• Proof of Status for Siblings: Birth certificates for all siblings; if any are deceased, their death certificates are required.

• Marriage & Divorce Records: Proof that you are currently single (Divorce Certificates or Death Certificates of a former spouse).

• Statutory Declaration: A formal, sworn statement (witnessed by a Notary or Commissioner) declaring that you have no living relatives who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents, and no relatives abroad who qualify for standard sponsorship.

If you are truly alone in Canada and want to reunite with your last remaining family members, do not leave your application to chance.

The "Lonely Canadian" rule is one of the most strictly scrutinized programs in IRCC history. One living relative, even one you haven't spoken to in 20 years, can lead to an immediate refusal.

Let us conduct a professional assessment of your family lineage and build a robust, legally sound application for your loved ones.

Mehdi is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB), an immigrant himself who has lived most of his life in Canada. He carries a deep passion for helping others navigate the same system that once shaped his own journey.

With a background spanning IT, healthcare, and business, Mehdi brings a rare combination of analytical precision and human understanding to every case. Before founding Immigreen Consulting, he spent years working in the health sector and technology fields, developing the problem-solving skills and empathy that now define his approach to complex immigration cases.

As a father, advocate for dignity and fairness, and someone who believes in second chances, Mehdi specializes in challenging applications—from humanitarian and compassionate PR cases to residency obligation appeals, spousal sponsorships, and refused visa re-applications. His work is guided by one simple principle: every client deserves trusted, human-centered representation and a voice that’s heard.

Outside his practice, Mehdi is an aviation enthusiast, lifelong athlete, and former martial arts competitor. He has volunteered with youth programs, taught martial arts, and supported foster children in care homes. He has also tutored underprivileged students, continuing his lifelong mission of helping people grow, belong, and thrive.

I treat every case like it’s personal. Because for my clients, it is.

About the author, Mehdi Nafisi

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