Canada values family and welcomes immigrants who play a significant role in both its culture and economy. Recognizing that many immigrants don’t want to leave their loved ones behind or live apart in a new country, the Canadian government has developed various family sponsorship pathways. These pathways allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members to come to Canada as permanent residents.
These family sponsorship streams are vital for the growth and diversity of Canada. By reuniting families, Canada ensures that the immigrants who contribute to its prosperity do not have to sacrifice their familial ties.
Before delving into the specifics of each program, it’s crucial to determine if you qualify for Family Sponsorship in Canada. To be sponsored under any family sponsorship immigration stream, you must meet certain criteria. While each program has unique requirements, some standard criteria apply across all. Here’s what you need to know.
To be eligible for family sponsorship, you must be one of the following relatives of the sponsor:
Additionally, to qualify, you must not:
Your sponsor must also meet specific criteria. They will not be allowed to sponsor you if they:
Once both you and your prospective sponsor meet these obligations, you can move forward and focus on the specific Family Sponsorship program that suits your needs.
Immigration to Canada’s Spouse/Partner Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses and common-law or conjugal partners to come to Canada. To be eligible for sponsorship, the individual must be 18 years or older. Legal proof of marriage, such as a marriage license or certificate, is required for spouses.
For common-law or conjugal partners, you must have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 months. To qualify for this program, you must show that your relationship with the Canadian sponsor is genuine and not entered into just to gain permanent residence in Canada. The Canadian sponsor must also meet specific income criteria.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
The Dependent Child Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their dependent children to Canada. To be eligible, the sponsored child must be under 22 years old and must not be married or in a common-law partnership. Visitors to the program need to meet additional criteria set by Immigration to Canada.
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for immigration to Canada. If your child or grandchild is at least 18 years old and a Canadian permanent resident, they can sponsor you. Both parents and step-parents can be sponsored, provided the principal applicant is a blood relative.
Applicants must submit an interest to sponsor form through the IRCC website. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are then issued to eligible applicants when the program opens its annual intake. Although the program was closed as of October 2022, it is expected to reopen later in 2023.
The Adopted Child Sponsorship Program enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their adopted children to come to Canada. For an adopted child to move to Canada via family sponsorship, the adoption must:
The sponsor must fill out additional forms such as:
The application process also varies depending on the adopted child’s country of origin.
At Immigration to Canada, we assist Canadian citizens and permanent residents in sponsoring their relatives who want to immigrate to Canada. Our services include the ability to sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild under 18, provided they are related by blood. Additionally, you can sponsor a single relative regardless of their age, such as a brother, sister, nephew, niece, aunt, or uncle, as well as immediate family members like your spouse, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
The Canada Super Visa
The Canada Super Visa is designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, allowing them to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time over a ten-year period. To be eligible, the Canadian sponsor must meet specific income requirements.
If you intend to join your children or grandchildren in Canada, the Super Visa is the primary option until the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program reopens. To help you navigate the application process and build cherished memories with your loved ones, we’ve compiled several resources, including guides on sibling sponsorship and other family immigration options. For personalized assistance, reach out to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who can provide expert advice and support throughout your application journey.
If you and your sponsor meet the eligibility criteria for family sponsorship, you can proceed with your application by following these five steps.
Step 1: Sponsor Application Your sponsor needs to download, complete, and sign the application forms from the Canadian government’s website. The application package includes:
Step 2: Application to Be Sponsored Once the sponsor’s part is completed, you must upload these forms to your online application and electronically sign them. Next, you need to download, complete, and re-upload the following forms:
Step 3: Fee Payment After filling out and uploading your forms, you need to pay the applicable fees for family sponsorship.
Step 4: Submit Additional Documents After you pay the fees, IRCC will begin processing your application. During this phase, they will request additional documents such as:
Each family member involved in the application must provide these documents.
Step 5: Online Application Submission Before submitting, ensure all documents are completed and signed. Incomplete applications or those lacking required documents will not be accepted by IRCC.
When you and your sponsor satisfy the eligibility criteria for Canadian family sponsorship, the ensuing step involves initiating the application process. Here’s a detailed, five-step guide to navigate through the family sponsorship application.
Step 1: Sponsor Application Submission
Your sponsor must first access and complete the necessary application forms from the official Canadian government website. The package includes essential documents such as:
Step 2: Application to Be Sponsored
After the sponsor completes and signs the requisite forms, you will need to upload these documents to your online application portal and electronically sign them. Additionally, you must download, complete, and re-upload these specific forms:
Step 3: Payment of Application Fees
Once all necessary forms have been duly completed and submitted, the next stage is the payment of application fees. The fees associated with family sponsorship include the following:
Step 4: Submission of Additional Information
After the fee payment, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) begins processing your application. During this time, they may request additional information, including:
Each family member must provide these documents.
Step 5: Finalizing and Submitting Your Online Application
Ensure that all necessary documents are fully completed and signed before submitting your final application. Incomplete applications or those missing supporting documents will not be accepted by IRCC.
When you apply for sponsorship with Immigration to Canada, there are several key strategies to keep in mind for ensuring your application is successful.
The following documents are essential:
Make sure each document you submit is valid, up-to-date, and relevant to your case. It’s highly recommended to have a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) review your documents before submission.
Ensure all the details in your application align with the accompanying documentation. Any inconsistency can delay the process, or worse, result in a rejection and a possible five-year ban.
Be proactive and provide any additional information that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request as soon as possible. Such requests might include proof of employment or financial resources, which also need to be current and valid. If your documentation doesn’t meet IRCC standards, your application will likely be denied.
You are financially responsible for the spouse you sponsor for a period of approximately three years. For more detailed information, you can visit the official immigration website.
Yes, spousal sponsorship applications can be denied. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) rigorously checks the authenticity of each relationship to prevent marriage fraud for immigration purposes. If you fail to demonstrate to the immigration officer that your marriage is genuine, your application may be refused. Additionally, misrepresentation can result in the sponsored spouse being banned from entering Canada for five years. Consequently, it is imperative to provide truthful and accurate information on your application.
No, you cannot sponsor someone to Canada if you are not currently residing in the country. This applies even if you hold permanent resident status in Canada; you must be physically present in Canada at the time of sponsorship.
Absolutely. You can bring your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children to Canada. The Canadian government, along with your educational institution, acknowledges the importance of your well-being while studying in Canada. Therefore, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit, enabling them to work for any employer in Canada. Additionally, any dependent children may join you during your stay.
Yes, upon completing your studies, you may be eligible to stay in Canada by obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This temporary permit will allow you to transition from your student status to a work status. Additionally, other temporary and permanent pathways are available for you to remain in Canada. For example, after securing a PGWP, you can aim for permanent residency by submitting an Express Entry profile and/or applying to various federal and provincial immigration programs.
Staying in Quebec after your studies depends on your objectives. If you aim to achieve permanent residency in the province, you might qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Beyond the PGWP, you can consider applying through Quebec's immigration programs, like the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) or the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an open work permit granted to international students who have graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada. This permit enables you to gain valuable Canadian work experience, which can be beneficial when applying for various federal and provincial immigration programs that often require qualifying work experience in Canada. The PGWP is valid for a period corresponding to the length of your study program, ranging from a minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 3 years.
If your study permit includes a condition allowing you to work in Canada, you can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic term. Furthermore, you are permitted to work full-time during scheduled breaks. There are no hour restrictions for on-campus employment.
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