Canada has one of the most generous family reunification programs in the developed world. The government is committed to keep families together whenever possible and prioritizes the processing of sponsorship applications.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor close family members for Canadian immigration.
When you agree to sponsor, you sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of the people you’re sponsoring, and any of their dependent children.
Basic needs include:
• Food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living
• Dental care, eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services
Before signing the undertaking agreement, you should make sure that those you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll need to pay back what they received. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you have repaid the amount.
You can become a sponsor if you are:
• At least 18 years old
• A Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident living in Canada:
• If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative(s) become(s) a permanent resident.
• You can’t sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada.
• Able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability, and;
• Can provide for the basic needs of any person you are sponsoring (and in some limited situations, that you meet the low-income cut-off).
To be eligible for permanent residence, the principal applicant and any dependents must not be inadmissible to Canada.
You can sponsor a:
1. Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
2. Dependent child
3. Parents and Grandparents sponsorship
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner if:
• They are at least 18 years old
• Your relationship is genuine (real) and wasn’t entered into just to get permanent resident status in Canada
If your spouse or common-law partner is applying in the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class, they must already co-habit (live) with you in Canada.
If you’re sponsoring a spouse or partner, any dependent children should be listed on their application forms. If you are sponsoring one or more dependent child (ren) as the principal applicant(s), you must submit a complete set of application forms and documents for each child.
As a Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen, there is no greater joy than being able to have your parents or grandparents visits and stay with you. It gives them immense happiness to see how you have established yourself.
You can sponsor your own parents and grandparents, related by blood or adoption. In the case of a divorce or separation, sponsor can submit application for their parents' and grandparent' spouses. You have to submit an expression of interest to sponsor to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As a sponsor, you will be required to provide financial support to your family so they do not rely on social assistance from the Canadian government.
Sunrise Gems immigration is an immigration consulting company based in Toronto specializing in Canadian immigration and Visa services.