Family Sponsorship

ABOUT

Family Sponsorship is a program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members to immigrate to Canada. The goal is to help families reunite and build their lives together in Canada. Eligible sponsors can bring their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent children, or parents to Canada.

The sponsored person, once approved, will obtain permanent resident status, which allows them to live, work, and study in Canada. The sponsor must prove that they can support the sponsored relative financially and ensure they do not need financial help from the government.

CRITERIA

Eligibility of the Sponsor:
1. Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
2. Age: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
3. Financial Support: The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to financially support their relative and provide basic needs (food, clothing, shelter).
4. Not Receiving Social Assistance: The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance (except for reasons of disability).

Eligibility of the Sponsored Person:
1. Spouse, Common-law Partner, or Conjugal Partner: They must be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor and meet the legal definition of spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner.
2. Dependent Children: Children must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Children over 22 may be eligible if they are financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition.
3. Parents or Grandparents: Parents and grandparents can be sponsored, but they must meet specific eligibility criteria, including health and security requirements.

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

1. Determine Eligibility:
- Both the sponsor and the sponsored person need to meet eligibility requirements. The sponsor must ensure they can financially support the relative and provide the required documentation.

2. Submit Sponsorship Application:
- The sponsor must submit a complete sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application includes a sponsorship application form and forms for the person being sponsored.

3. IRCC Review:
- The IRCC will assess both the sponsor’s and the sponsored person’s eligibility, verifying that they meet the necessary criteria.

4. Approval and Permanent Residency:
- Once approved, the sponsored family member will receive permanent resident status. This allows them to live, work, and study in Canada.

5. Arrival in Canada:
- After obtaining approval, the sponsored person can arrive in Canada and begin their life as a permanent resident.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply for Family Sponsorship, the following documents are typically required:

1. For the Sponsor:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (e.g., passport, PR card).
- Proof of income: Demonstrating the ability to financially support the sponsored person.
- Application for sponsorship: Completed and signed.
- Any previous relationships: Divorce certificates or death certificates if applicable (for spousal sponsorship).

2. For the Sponsored Person:
- Proof of relationship: Evidence of marriage, common-law partnership, or proof of dependency (e.g., marriage certificate, joint financial records).
- Proof of identity: Passport, national ID card, or birth certificate.
- Medical exam results: To confirm they are medically admissible to Canada.
- Police certificates: To show that they have no serious criminal history.
- Proof of financial dependency (for children or dependent adults).

3. For Both:
- Application fee: Payment for processing the sponsorship application.

FAQS

1. Can I sponsor someone if I live outside of Canada?
- No, you must live in Canada to sponsor a relative. However, there are exceptions for Canadian citizens who are living abroad and have a clear intent to return to Canada.

2. How long does the Family Sponsorship process take?
- The processing time for family sponsorship applications can vary, but it generally takes 12 to 24 months. Processing times may vary depending on the specific relationship and whether the application is complete.

3. Can I sponsor my siblings or other family members?
- The Family Sponsorship program is generally limited to spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Other family members, such as siblings, cannot be sponsored under this program, but there may be other immigration pathways for them.

4. What if the sponsored person is already in Canada?
- If the sponsored person is already in Canada, they may be eligible for inland sponsorship. This allows them to stay in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed.

5. Can the sponsor be responsible for providing financial support indefinitely?
- The sponsor’s obligation to financially support the sponsored person typically lasts for 3 years for a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child, and 10 years or until the person becomes a Canadian citizen for parents or grandparents.

6. What happens if the sponsor or the sponsored person’s application is refused?
- If the application is refused, the sponsor can appeal the decision or reapply, depending on the reason for refusal.