Family Sponsorship
Canada’s sponsorship programs – An overview
Canada’s sponsorship programs play a pivotal role in supporting diverse sectors and initiatives, encompassing small enterprises, non-profit organizations, sports franchises, artists, and cultural endeavors. These programs reflect Canada’s dedication to fostering family reunification by empowering citizens to sponsor their relatives’ immigration, thereby facilitating their integration into the country.
Family class sponsorship – What is it?
Canada offers sponsorship programs for citizens and permanent residents interested in bringing their relatives to the country. It is possible to seek permanent residency for several family members through these programs. Because of Canada’s strong family values, citizens and permanent residents can immigrate to Canada with their spouses and immediate family members with a faster processing time through the immigration stream.
Family class sponsorship – What is it?
Canada’s sponsorship programs provide avenues for citizens and permanent residents to facilitate the immigration of their relatives to the country. These programs enable individuals to seek permanent residency for multiple family members, reflecting Canada’s commitment to family values. Through these immigration streams, citizens and permanent residents can expedite the immigration process for their spouses and immediate family members, underscoring Canada’s emphasis on family reunification.
Who can I sponsor to Canadian immigration?
Sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence in Canada is possible whether they reside in Canada or abroad. Additionally, couples may alleviate some financial burdens through an open work permit, which allows them to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is under review.
Canada acknowledges common-law partnerships, meaning you may be eligible for spousal sponsorship even if you are not legally married.
Grandparent or parent sponsorship
Sponsoring parents and grandparents is a key aspect of Canada’s family reunification efforts. To sponsor a parent or grandparent, sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement based on the size of their family. Additionally, sponsors must commit to providing any necessary financial support to the sponsored family members.
For sponsors who are unable to offer ongoing support to their parents or grandparents, the Super Visa is an alternative option. This visa allows for multiple entries and is valid for an extended period, providing flexibility for visits to Canada.
Sponsorship of child and other dependent
When applying for permanent residency in Canada, you have the option to include your children as accompanying dependents. However, even if you choose not to include them initially or overlook them during the application process, they can still join you in Canada later.
Biological or adopted children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can be sponsored as long as they are neither married nor have children of their own. Additionally, children who are above the age of 22 and are physically or mentally impaired are still considered dependents for immigration purposes.
Grandchild, Orphaned brother, niece, and nephew
Canadian citizens or permanent residents have the opportunity to sponsor their nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and orphaned siblings to immigrate to Canada, subject to certain conditions. To sponsor a relative, you must be a blood relative or an adopted relative, and the sponsored relative must be unmarried and under the age of 18.
Relatives other than a spouse and children under exceptional circumstances
The sponsorship of a distant relative’s immigration to Canada is rare among Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents. For family members who don’t qualify for the existing Family Class in Canada, sponsors must be considered lonely Canadians. Sponsors cannot be spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, children, or grandchildren of others.
Sponsorship for a family member – Its eligibility
To be sponsored, family members need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Qualifications for sponsors include:
- Citizenship or permanent residency in Canada is required.
- A minimum age of 18 is required.
- In case you reside in Canada or plan to move back, your spouse or partner will obtain permanent residency status in Canada as well.
- Your family member must be able to and willing to receive basic financial support for three years.
Who is ineligible for sponsorship of a member of their family?
Sponsorship is not permitted in certain circumstances for citizens or permanent residents. Sponsors may not qualify if they fall under one of the following circumstances:
- They are currently incarcerated.
- Payments of alimony and child support have not been made.
- Currently in bankruptcy and unable to be released.
- Non-disability reasons for receiving social assistance.
- Payments made late, missed, or failed to repay immigration loans.
- Failure to meet the sponsorship agreement terms when sponsoring another relative previously.
- According to the details of the case, have been convicted of violent crimes, offences against family members, or serious sexual offences.
Can I sponsor a family member without a job?
The sponsorship application must be supported by a family member who is not the applicant’s spouse or partner and who meets the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements. Sponsors are not always required to be employed but must demonstrate sufficient income to support family members over the past three years.
How long will the sponsorship last?
The complete processing cycle for sponsorship applications generally takes about a year. It typically takes a year to process your case, but it can take longer depending on the specifics.
An immigration officer may delay your application if your situation is challenging or if you need to provide more evidence of your relationship.
In addition to bringing my family member to Canada, what other options do I have?
In the event sponsorship cannot be arranged, your relative may qualify under another Canadian immigration program.
How many relatives am I permitted to sponsor for immigration to Canada?
Any number of qualifying family members may be sponsored by a permanent resident and Canadian citizen. The applicant must, however, submit a separate application for each qualified family member sponsored by him or her.
Bringing a family member to Quebec through sponsorship
It is more up to Quebec to decide who lives there than the federal government. A permanent resident or citizen of Quebec must first receive permission from the Quebec MIFI to sponsor a member of their eligible family. Applicants residing in Quebec must submit a sponsorship undertaking to MIFI for approval.
Checking the background of Canadian sponsors
All adults over 18 applying for permanent residency must present a Police Clearance Certificate to prove that they are not prohibited from entering Canada owing to criminal convictions.
Biometrics for Canadian sponsorship
Biometric data is required from most immigrants to Canada. You can find out if you must submit your biometrics using Canada’s online service. Once you have paid the biometric fee, IRCC will send you a letter containing instructions on how to submit your biometrics.
Medical examination for Canadian sponsorship
It is required that all applicants for permanent residency in Canada be examined by a doctor in order to determine if they are medically qualified.
Your medical exam does not have to be included with your application. Upon receiving your sponsorship application, IRCC will provide you with information on performing your medical exam.
How can I learn what is happening with my sponsorship application?
When you have submitted your application for dependent children, spousal sponsorship, or common law sponsorship, you can check the status of the application.
The status of the family member you are sponsoring will depend on how your application was submitted, as well as whether the application was submitted online or by mail.
Canadian sponsorship applications – What is its deadline?
Canadian citizens or permanent residents have the option to sponsor their spouse or child at any time. However, applicants who wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents must submit their application before the specified deadline.
My sibling wants to immigrate to Canada; is it possible to do?
You have to take on a lot of challenges in order to sponsor your sister to become Canada’s citizen or permanent resident. Applicants for parental sponsorship can only include their siblings as dependents if they are eligible as “Lonely Canadians.”.
My fiancé wants to visit Canada; can I sponsor him/her?
Citizens of Canada and permanent residents are not eligible to sponsor their fiancé’s immigration. Spousal sponsorship is only available to persons who are married. Alternately, you could sponsor the immigration of your fiancé if they meet the common-law partner requirements.
Am I able to sponsor my girlfriend or boyfriend to immigrate to Canada?
Sponsoring your partner’s immigration in Canada isn’t possible. Marriage or common-law partnership is required to sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend for immigration to Canada.
Applicants can sponsor their domestic partners under certain conditions if they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Am I able to sponsor my friend to immigrate to Canada?
Sponsorship of a buddy is not available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Depending on their interest in moving to Canada, your buddy might qualify under another immigration program.
Sponsorship – What is its maximum age?
Sponsorship of a family member is only available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older. Sponsorship can be provided to individuals of any age who wish to immigrate to Canada.
When their inland spousal sponsorship application is being processed, is my spouse or common-law partner allowed to work in Canada?
Whenever you live in Canada with your spouse or common-law partner and they have a valid work permit, you are both eligible to work continuously together. If individuals hold a valid student or visitor visa, they may be able to apply for an OWP – (open work permit) while their application is in the process.
