Sponsorship
Family Class Sponsorship in Canada
Canada is dedicated to family reunification and offers several immigration programs that allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members to become permanent residents. These family sponsorship programs are among the most popular streams for Canadian immigration, recognizing the importance of family unity with streamlined processing times.
What is Family Class Sponsorship?
Family Class Sponsorship allows Canadian permanent residents or citizens to sponsor their loved ones, including spouses and immediate family members, for permanent residency in Canada. This program facilitates the reunification of families in Canada, ensuring that family ties are maintained without unnecessary delays.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner:
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner whether they are residing inside Canada on a valid temporary visa or living abroad. This sponsorship can enable your partner to obtain an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while the sponsorship application is processed.
Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship:
This program allows the sponsorship of parents and grandparents, affirming Canada’s commitment to family unity. Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements and are required to provide financial support if necessary. For those who cannot permanently support their parents or grandparents, the Super Visa is an alternative, offering a long-term, multiple-entry visa.
Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship:
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22, provided they are unmarried and without children. Dependents over 22 must be unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental condition to qualify.
Orphaned Relatives:
You can sponsor orphaned relatives such as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren if they are under 18, unmarried, and related by blood or adoption.
Other Relatives:
In rare cases, known as the “Lonely Canadian” scenario, individuals with no close family in Canada may sponsor one extended relative regardless of age.
Eligibility to Sponsor a Family Member
To be eligible to sponsor, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Reside in Canada or plan to return when the family member becomes a resident.
- Be financially capable of supporting the basic needs of the family member for three years.
Ineligibility for Sponsorship
You cannot sponsor if you:
- Are in prison.
- Have outstanding alimony or child support payments.
- Have declared bankruptcy and have not been discharged.
- Receive social assistance for reasons other than disability.
- Have defaulted on an immigration loan or failed to meet the terms of a previous sponsorship.
- Have been convicted of certain offenses, especially violent crimes, offenses against relatives, or sexual offenses.
Costs of Sponsorship
- For a spouse with dependent children: $150 for each child.
- For including a spouse or partner: An additional $1,050.
- Total government fees: $1,165, which includes the sponsorship fee, principal applicant processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics.
Quebec additional fee: If residing in Quebec, an additional $310 CAD is required.
Income Requirements for Sponsorship
Minimum income requirements apply for sponsoring parents, grandparents, eligible orphaned relatives, or under the “lonely Canadian” policy. Sponsors must demonstrate financial stability by meeting the MNI for three consecutive years as evidenced by Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.
For spousal sponsorship, there is no minimum income requirement, but a financial undertaking to support the sponsored individual is necessary. The duration of financial responsibility varies by relationship type, with a typical duration of three years for spouses and common-law partners.
Sponsorship Requirements and Procedures in Canada
Job Requirement for Sponsorship
To sponsor a family member other than a spouse or partner, such as a parent or grandparent, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements. While having a job is not explicitly required, you must provide proof of sufficient and stable income from the past three years to support your sponsored family members.
Sponsorship Processing Time
Sponsorship applications typically take about 12 months to process, but this can vary. Complex cases or those requiring additional proof of relationships may face delays. Ensuring that your application is accurately completed the first time can help expedite the process. Legal professionals, like those at Canadim, can assist in preparing and reviewing applications to avoid common pitfalls.
Alternative Immigration Options
If direct family sponsorship is not feasible, other Canadian immigration programs might be suitable for your family members. Various programs cater to different circumstances and can provide pathways to immigration.
Number of Relatives You Can Sponsor
There is no limit on the number of eligible family members a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor. However, each family member requires a separate application.
Sponsorship in Quebec
Quebec has distinct immigration requirements. Sponsors residing in Quebec must obtain approval from the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) before proceeding with family sponsorship.
Background Checks for Canadian Sponsorship
All potential immigrants aged 18 and over must provide a Police Clearance Certificate from every country they’ve lived in for six months or more since turning 18. This is to ensure they are not criminally inadmissible to Canada.
Biometrics Requirement
Most Canadian immigration applicants are required to provide biometrics. Instructions for biometrics collection are provided after the biometric fee is paid as part of the application process.
Medical Exams
Applicants must undergo a medical examination by one of IRCC’s panel physicians. Instructions for the medical exam are provided after the sponsorship application is submitted. The medical exam ensures the applicant does not have conditions that could make them medically inadmissible.
Checking the Status of Your Sponsorship Application
For spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship, you can track the application status using Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker portal. For other types of family sponsorship, the tracking method depends on whether the application was submitted online or via mail. IRCC’s online tools provide detailed instructions for checking application status.
Application Deadlines
For spouse and child sponsorships, applications can be submitted at any time. However, sponsoring parents or grandparents often requires an invitation from the government, and candidates must apply within the specified deadline.
Sponsoring a Sibling
Sponsoring a brother or sister is generally challenging unless you qualify as a “Lonely Canadian” with no other relatives in Canada, or if your siblings can be included as dependents under a parental sponsorship application.
Sponsorship Options for Partners and Friends in Canada
Sponsoring a Fiancé
In Canada, there is no specific sponsorship category for fiancés. To sponsor a partner for permanent residency, you must either be legally married or qualify as common-law partners. Common-law partnership is recognized in Canada if you have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year continuously.
Sponsoring a Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Similar to fiancés, there is no direct sponsorship path for boyfriends or girlfriends unless they meet the criteria for common-law partnership. In certain cases, if you are unable to live together due to significant legal or immigration barriers, your partner may qualify under the conjugal partner category, which is more complex and requires substantial proof of inability to cohabitate.
Sponsoring a Friend
Canadian immigration policies do not allow for the sponsorship of friends by permanent residents or citizens. If your friend wishes to immigrate to Canada, they should explore other immigration programs based on skills, employment, or humanitarian and refugee pathways.
Age Requirement for Sponsorship
There is no upper age limit for sponsoring a family member to Canada. However, the sponsor must be at least 18 years old and meet other eligibility criteria, including financial stability and residency status.
Work Authorization for Inland Sponsorship
If your spouse or common-law partner is already in Canada on a valid work permit, they can continue to work until the permit expires. If they are in Canada on a study or visitor visa, they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit. This permit would allow them to work in Canada while their inland spousal sponsorship application is being processed.
Sponsorship and Adoption
You do not need to wait until an adoption is finalized to begin the sponsorship process. If the adoption is in its final stages and legally recognized by the country in which it took place, you can initiate the sponsorship application. However, it’s crucial to ensure that all legal and immigration requirements are met to facilitate a smooth transition for the adopted child to Canada.
These options highlight the pathways and considerations for Canadians and permanent residents who wish to bring partners, family members, or other loved ones to Canada.
