What does the lonely Canadian rule mean for sponsoring other relatives?

The lonely Canadian rule is a narrow exception that allows sponsorship of a relative who would not otherwise qualify. It applies only when you have no living spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.

That relative must also not already be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. If any such eligible relative exists, you cannot use this rule, which is why it applies to relatively few sponsors.