Two provisions open the door. The first covers an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who is under 18, unmarried and not in a common-law relationship, and whose parents have both died. The second, often called the lonely Canadian provision, allows a sponsor who has no living spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent or orphaned relative they could otherwise sponsor, and no relative of a wider list who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, to sponsor one relative of any degree of relationship by blood or adoption.
Both provisions are examined strictly. IRCC wants death certificates, proof of relationship through birth records and, for the lonely Canadian route, evidence of the absence of every closer relative, which is harder to document than the presence of one. The sponsor must also meet the usual requirements: 18 or older, a citizen or permanent resident, not in default of a previous undertaking or receiving social assistance, and, for these categories, able to meet the applicable income requirement.
Where neither provision fits, we say so and look at what does: a Super Visa or visitor visa for extended stays, a study or work permit for a relative who qualifies on their own merits, or an economic pathway that leads to permanent residence directly.
Who this is for
- Citizens and permanent residents caring for an orphaned sibling, niece, nephew or grandchild under 18
- Sponsors with no spouse, children, parents, grandparents or other close relatives in Canada or abroad
- Families told elsewhere that no option exists and who want a second, honest opinion
- Relatives who do not qualify under the family class and need a realistic alternative
What we do
- Assess whether you meet the orphaned relative or lonely Canadian criteria, and explain clearly if you do not
- Assemble death certificates, birth records and relationship evidence, with certified translations where needed
- Document the absence of closer relatives for a lonely Canadian application
- Confirm sponsor eligibility, including income and any prior undertakings
- Prepare and file the sponsorship and permanent residence applications together
- Identify alternative pathways when family class sponsorship is not available
How it works
- 1
Eligibility assessment
We map your family tree against the orphaned relative and lonely Canadian rules and give you a clear answer on whether sponsorship is possible.
- 2
Evidence plan
You receive a checklist of the civil records, statements and translations needed to prove the relationship and, where relevant, the absence of other relatives.
- 3
Preparation
We complete the sponsor and applicant forms, draft a submission explaining how the provision applies, and reconcile every document.
- 4
Filing and follow-up
We file the application, respond to IRCC requests and keep you informed until a decision is made.