Family Sponsorship in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close family members to come to Canada as permanent residents. This program helps families reunite and supports immigrants in their transition to Canadian life.
Types of Family Sponsorship
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Who Can Be Sponsored: Your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- You must prove that your relationship is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes.
- Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and able to support the spouse financially.
- Proof of Relationship: Provide documents like marriage certificates, joint financial accounts, photos, and communication records.
- Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
- Who Can Be Sponsored: Your parents or grandparents.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The sponsor must meet specific income requirements to show they can support the parent or grandparent.
- The sponsor must also sign an undertaking to support the family member financially for 20 years.
- Application Process: Generally includes a lottery system to select candidates due to high demand.
- Dependent Child Sponsorship
- Who Can Be Sponsored: Your biological or adopted children under the age of 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The child must be financially dependent on the sponsor.
- Proof of parent-child relationship is required, such as birth certificates or adoption papers.
- Other Relatives Sponsorship
- Who Can Be Sponsored: Certain other relatives, such as orphaned siblings, nieces, or nephews, if you do not have a spouse, partner, or children.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and prove the relative's dependency on them.
- There are specific requirements and limits on who can be sponsored in this category.
General Requirements for Sponsors
- Financial Ability
- Sponsors must prove they have enough financial resources to support the sponsored family member and ensure they do not rely on social assistance.
- There are income requirements to meet, which vary based on the number of people in the household.
- Undertaking Agreement
- Sponsors must sign a legal agreement to provide financial support for the sponsored individual, covering basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.
- Residency Status
- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada.
Application Process
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Ensure both the sponsor and the applicant meet all eligibility requirements for the specific type of sponsorship.
- Step 2: Gather Documents
- Collect necessary documents such as proof of relationship, financial documents, and identification.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Complete and submit the sponsorship application and permanent residence application together.
- Pay the application fees, which include processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
- Step 4: Application Processing
- Applications are reviewed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Processing times vary based on the type of sponsorship and individual circumstances but can range from several months to over a year.
- Step 5: Decision and Arrival
- If approved, the sponsored individual will receive permanent resident status and can move to Canada.
- The sponsor must continue to meet their financial obligations as per the undertaking agreement.
Summary
Family Sponsorship in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring close family members to Canada as permanent residents. The program includes spousal, parent and grandparent, dependent child, and other relative sponsorships. Sponsors must meet financial and residency requirements, sign a legal undertaking, and follow a multi-step application process. Successful applicants gain permanent residency, and sponsors must fulfill their financial support obligations.
