The lonely Canadian rule is a lesser-known part of Canada’s family sponsorship program that lets a Canadian with no closer family to sponsor bring one extended blood relative, such as a sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or even a cousin. It exists for people who are, in immigration terms, “lonely”.
Grounded in IRPR section 117(1)(h), it is one of the rarest sponsorship routes, processing only a few hundred applications a year. It is also strictly assessed, so it helps to understand exactly what “lonely” means before you apply.
Last updated 2026. Income figures and undertaking lengths are set by IRCC and can change; confirm current details on the IRCC website.
Not sure if you qualify? Check in about a minute.
Answer a few quick questions and see whether you may be eligible to sponsor an extended relative under the Lonely Canadian rule, such as a sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or cousin.
Definition
What a “Lonely Canadian” means
You are “lonely” for this program when both of the following are true. If either one is not, you cannot use this rule.
1. No blood relative in Canada
- No child, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew living in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian
2. No one abroad you could otherwise sponsor
- No spouse or partner, dependent (minor) child, or grandparent abroad whom you could sponsor another way
- A living parent anywhere in the world disqualifies you, the most common reason applicants are ineligible
In short: you have no blood relative in Canada and no one abroad you could sponsor through any other route. An ordinary adult sibling, aunt, uncle or cousin abroad does not count against you, they are exactly who this rule is for.
Eligibility
Who can sponsor and who can be sponsored
You may qualify to sponsor if you
- Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act, and at least 18
- Live in Canada
- Are “lonely” as defined above
- Meet the minimum necessary income for your family size
- Sign an undertaking to support the relative and their family
You can sponsor one relative such as
- A brother or sister
- An uncle, aunt, niece or nephew
- A cousin
- Any blood or adoptive relative when no closer route applies
- Their spouse or partner and dependent children can come with them
Do you qualify
Common lonely Canadian scenarios
Real situations we are asked about, and whether they typically qualify.
Aunt sponsoring a niece to care for her
An aunt with no closer relatives sponsors a niece. The niece’s spouse and dependent children can come too. This is IRCC’s own example.
Sponsoring an adult sibling or cousin abroad
A foreign national sibling, aunt, uncle or cousin living abroad does not disqualify you. They may be exactly the relative you can sponsor.
Permanent resident in Canada
A PR living in Canada with no sponsorable relative and no listed relative already in Canada sponsors one blood relative abroad.
A parent or grandparent abroad
A parent or grandparent is someone you could sponsor another way, so they disqualify you, even if they cannot travel or will not come.
A sibling or aunt already in Canada
Any listed relative who is already a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian disqualifies you.
An in-law or step-relative
Relatives by marriage never qualify. The relationship must be by blood or adoption.
Money
Minimum necessary income and undertaking
You must show you met the minimum necessary income for your family size for the required period. Family size includes you, your dependents, the relative you sponsor and their accompanying family.
| Family size | Minimum necessary income |
|---|---|
| 1 person (the sponsor) | $30,526 |
| 2 persons | $38,002 |
| 3 persons | $46,720 |
| 4 persons | $56,724 |
| 5 persons | $64,336 |
| 6 persons | $72,560 |
| 7 persons | $80,784 |
| Each additional person, add | $8,224 |
These figures are set annually by IRCC and change each year. Always confirm the current amounts on the IRCC income table before you apply. Quebec applies its own income rules.
Undertaking. You sign a legally binding promise to support the relative and their family financially. For other relatives this can last up to 20 years, depending on the relative’s age and how you are related. If they receive social assistance during that time, you must repay it before you can sponsor anyone else.
Quebec. Quebec runs its own undertaking through MIFI and has reached its cap on other-relative undertaking applications until June 25, 2026, so timing and rules differ if you live there.
Step by step
The application process
Confirm your eligibility
Check that you have no relative you could sponsor another way, and no listed relative already in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident, and that you meet the income requirement.
Gather documents and forms
Collect proof of your status, evidence of your blood or adoptive relationship to the relative, and income documents for the sponsor.
Submit the application
The sponsor submits the sponsorship and permanent residence application to IRCC through the online portal.
IRCC review
IRCC reviews the application and may request additional documents or an interview to confirm eligibility and the relationship.
Decision and arrival
If approved, the relative and their accompanying family receive permanent resident status and can make arrangements to move to Canada.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can an elderly aunt with no other relatives sponsor a niece to come care for her?
Yes. IRCC’s own guidance uses this exact example. If the aunt is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada, has no relative she could sponsor another way, and no listed relative already in Canada as a citizen or permanent resident, she can sponsor one niece. The niece’s spouse or partner and dependent children can be included on the same application, so a household can come together.
Which relatives actually disqualify me from the lonely Canadian rule?
Only two kinds. First, a relative you could sponsor another way: a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent child, parent, grandparent, or an orphaned sibling, niece, nephew or grandchild under 18. Second, any relative such as an aunt, uncle, sibling, niece or nephew who is already a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. If you have none of those, you can sponsor one other relative. See the IRCC eligibility rules.
Does having an adult sibling, aunt or cousin abroad disqualify me?
No, not on its own. There is no separate route to sponsor an adult sibling, aunt, uncle or cousin, so an ordinary foreign national relative living abroad does not count against you. In fact, that relative may be exactly the one person you are able to sponsor under this rule. It is different if that relative is already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, which would disqualify you.
My parent lives abroad but cannot travel for medical reasons. Can I sponsor another relative?
No. A parent is someone you could sponsor through parent and grandparent sponsorship, so having a living parent disqualifies you from the lonely Canadian rule. It does not matter that the parent cannot travel or does not want to come, because a route to sponsor them exists.
My sibling is already a Canadian citizen. Can I still use the lonely Canadian rule?
No. Even though there is no ordinary route to sponsor a sibling, having a sibling, aunt or uncle who is already a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian means you are not ‘lonely’ in the eyes of the rule, and you cannot use it.
Can I sponsor a cousin under the lonely Canadian rule?
Often yes. Cousins are normally outside the family class, but the lonely Canadian rule at IRPR 117(1)(h) lets you sponsor one relative of any relationship, including a cousin, when you have no closer relative you could sponsor and no listed relative already in Canada. The relationship must be by blood or adoption. IRCC’s guidance includes a cousin example.
Can the relative I sponsor bring their spouse and children?
Yes. The relative you sponsor is the principal applicant, and their spouse or common-law partner and dependent children can be included on the same application. Children can be added only if they still qualify as dependent children. Your income requirement is based on the total number of people, including the relative and their family.
Do in-laws or step-relatives qualify?
No. The relationship must be by blood or adoption. Relatives created only by marriage, such as an uncle’s spouse or another in-law, do not qualify. IRCC’s own example confirms that you cannot sponsor an uncle’s widow under this rule because she is not related by blood or adoption.
Can a permanent resident use the lonely Canadian program, or only citizens?
Both. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act can sponsor under this rule, as long as they live in Canada and meet all the eligibility requirements.
What income do I need to sponsor another relative?
You must meet the minimum necessary income for your family size, based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) published by IRCC each year, and show that you met it for the required tax period. Family size includes you, your dependents, the relative you sponsor and their accompanying family. See the income box above for the current figures.
How long is the sponsorship undertaking?
The undertaking is a legally binding promise to support the relative and their family financially. For other relatives it can last up to 20 years, depending on the relative’s age and how you are related. During that time you must repay any social assistance they receive, and you cannot sponsor anyone else until it is repaid.
How long does a lonely Canadian sponsorship take to process?
Processing usually takes more than a year and is less predictable than a standard spousal or family sponsorship, because the program is uncommon and each case is assessed closely. A complete, well-documented application from the start is the best way to avoid delays.
What if I live in Quebec?
Quebec has its own sponsorship rules and undertaking, run by MIFI. As of 2026 Quebec has reached its cap on undertaking applications to sponsor another relative until June 25, 2026, so timing and eligibility differ. Confirm Quebec’s current rules before applying.
Do I need an immigration lawyer for the lonely Canadian program?
It is strongly recommended. This is a strict, lesser-known rule where whether a particular relative disqualifies you can be subtle, and a documentation gap can lead to refusal. A lawyer confirms you truly meet the test, prepares the record properly, and presents the case the way IRCC expects.
How do I know if I qualify for the Lonely Canadian rule?
The fastest way is our free Lonely Canadian Sponsorship Eligibility Checker. It asks a few quick questions about your family situation and income, then shows whether you likely qualify to sponsor an extended relative, in about a minute. It is confidential and there is no obligation. For a definitive answer, we review your full situation at a consultation.
Talk to an immigration sponsorship lawyer
The lonely Canadian rule is easy to overlook and strict on eligibility, and whether a particular relative disqualifies you can be subtle, so small mistakes can lead to refusal or delay. At MM Immigration Law, our immigration lawyers handle these applications and tailor each one to your situation.
Not sure whether you qualify, or whether another route such as spousal, parent and grandparent or child sponsorship fits better? Contact MM Immigration Law to schedule a consultation and let us help you bring your loved ones to Canada.