Family Class Sponsorship Program
In the embrace of Canada’s diverse and welcoming arms, our Family Class Sponsorship programs pave the way for citizens and permanent residents to unite with their loved ones on Canadian soil.
At ImmigCanada, we understand the significance of family, and our sponsorship programs are crafted to make the journey smooth, efficient, and full of warmth.
Discovering the Pathway of Bringing Families Together
Family Class Sponsorship goes beyond a mere immigration stream. It’s an opportunity for families to embark on a new chapter in Canada, embracing a life filled with possibilities and shared moments.
From sponsoring a spouse to bringing immediate family members, each avenue has its unique requirements. Our commitment is to simplify these processes, ensuring your understanding and peace of mind throughout.
Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program
Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship, where the bonds of family are honored, cherished, and nurtured. This program, designed for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, is a gateway to uniting with your loved ones on Canadian soil. Let’s delve into the essence of this journey and explore the requirements that pave the way for togetherness.
What is Family Class Sponsorship?
The program is an avenue for permanent residents and citizens to sponsor eligible family members, allowing them to become permanent residents of Canada. The spectrum of eligible family members spans spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and, in specific cases, other orphaned family members.
The Two-Step Journey: Sponsorship and Residency
The Family Class Sponsorship process unfolds in two steps. First, the sponsor applies for Sponsorship Evaluation, demonstrating the intent to sponsor their family member(s). Upon receiving Sponsorship Approval, the sponsored family members proceed to apply for permanent residency.
Requirements to Be a Sponsor
To embark on this meaningful journey, sponsors must meet certain criteria:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Reside in Canada or plan to return upon the sponsored family member’s permanent residency.
- Commit to a Sponsorship Undertaking, pledging to provide basic needs and financial support for a specified duration, ranging from 3 to 20 years, depending on the relationship.
- Additional Sponsorship Requirements:
- In certain categories, sponsors must meet income requirements, which vary based on the household’s family members. The sponsor must not have been sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner in the last five years and should not currently be undertaking the sponsorship of another partner.
- Sponsors undergo scrutiny to verify their eligibility, including criminal background checks and a commitment to not receive social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
Connect with us at ImmigCanada, where your family’s Canadian story begins.
Whom Can You Sponsor?
As a permanent resident or proud Canadian citizen, the Family Class Sponsorship program opens avenues for you to bring your cherished family members to Canada. Let’s discover the diverse range of relatives you can sponsor to join you in Canada.
Spouse or Common-Law Partner
You can sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, provided they are at least 18 years old, and your relationship is genuine.
Dependent Children
Sponsorship extends to dependent children under 22 years old who are not married or in a common-law relationship. Additionally, you may sponsor dependent children over 22 if they’ve been continuously enrolled in full-time education and financially dependent on you since before turning 22.
Parents and Grandparents
Sponsoring your parents and grandparents is possible, subject to specific eligibility criteria, including financial requirements and medical admissibility. The Super Visa offers an alternative for parent and grandparent reunification in Canada.
Other Eligible Relatives
In certain cases, you might have the opportunity to sponsor other eligible relatives like siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. This applies if they are orphaned, under 18 years old, and not married or in a common-law relationship.
Under unique circumstances, the sponsorship of other close relatives is possible, guided by Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds.
Family Class Sponsorships is not just a program; it’s a personalized journey that accommodates the nuances of various family dynamics. Whether reuniting with a spouse, welcoming children, or embracing parents and grandparents, each sponsorship avenue is a unique chapter in your Canadian story.
Sponsoring Your Loved Ones to Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bringing your family members to Canada through the Family Class Sponsorship program is a heartwarming journey, filled with steps to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 1. Evaluate Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for sponsoring a family member in Canada. Consider factors such as age, citizenship or permanent residency, and income requirements.
Step 2. Confirm Your Family Member’s Eligibility: Verify that the family member you intend to sponsor meets the eligibility criteria, considering their relationship to you, age, health, and criminal history.
Step 3. Submission of Applications: Complete and submit a sponsorship application and a permanent residence application for your family member to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 4. Gather Supporting Documentation: Provide necessary documents supporting your sponsorship application and your family member’s permanent residence application, including proof of relationship, financial documents, and identity/travel documents.
Step 5. Await Processing: Family Class Sponsorship applications undergo processing, with the timeframe varying. Check the current processing times on the IRCC website for updates.
Step 6. Fulfill Additional Requirements: Depending on the family member being sponsored, additional requirements such as a medical exam may be necessary.
Step 7. Ongoing Support: As a sponsor, commit to providing financial and emotional support to your family member. This includes meeting their basic needs, aiding in their integration into Canadian society, and ensuring their well-being.
Who Cannot Sponsor a Relative?
In certain circumstances, a permanent resident or citizen may be ineligible to sponsor if they:
- are currently incarcerated
- have outstanding alimony or child support payments
- are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings
- received social assistance for non-disability reasons
- have defaulted on immigration loan payments
- failed to meet the terms of a previous sponsorship agreement
- have a criminal record involving violent, family-related, or sexual offenses, depending on the case details
At ImmigCanada, we understand the significance of family reunification. Let us guide you through the Family Class Sponsorship process, turning your dream of togetherness into a Canadian reality.
Genuine Common-Law Relationships Documentation
To strengthen your case, meticulous attention to supporting documentation is key. Let’s delve into the array of evidence you can present in your Family Sponsorship application to substantiate the genuineness of your common-law union.
1. Declaration of Common-Law Union: Make a joint declaration outlining crucial details of your common-law relationship, emphasizing its duration and cohabitation.
2. Proof of Cohabitation: Substantiate your shared living arrangements with documents spanning at least one year. Examples encompass joint bills, lease agreements, and mortgage contracts.
3. Joint Finances: Showcase financial intertwining by presenting evidence of joint responsibilities. This can include joint bank accounts, shared credit cards, and mutual insurance policies.
4. Proof of Social Commitment: Highlight your joint involvement in social activities and events. Providing evidence such as invitations or attendance records at family gatherings solidifies the social aspect of your commitment.
5. Communication Records: Document regular communication between you and your common-law partner. Call logs, emails, and text messages serve as tangible proof of your ongoing connection.
6. Photographs: Show your journey through personal photographs, capturing shared experiences, special occasions, and the evolution of your relationship over time.
7. Social Connections: Offer a glimpse into your social interactions by presenting documents showcasing involvement in each other’s lives. This may include invitations, testimonials from mutual acquaintances, or attendance records for family and social events.
Note: The documentation provided must underscore the genuineness of your relationship and validate a cohabitation period of at least one year, maintaining a continuous 12-month stretch for common-law applications.
Insufficient documentation may jeopardize the success of your application. Ensure a thorough compilation to avoid setbacks in the sponsorship process.
Costs of Family Sponsorship in Canada
Application Fees
Sponsorship fee: $75
Principal applicant processing fee: $490
Right of permanent residence fee: $515
Biometrics: $85
Total: $1,165
Additional Fees
For each child included in the application: $150. Spouse or partner of your relative: Additional $1,050
Quebec Residency
If the sponsor resides in Quebec or plans to upon receiving permanent residence: An additional fee of $310 CAD
Minimum Income Requirements:
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) applies to specific sponsorship applications:
- Parents, grandparents, eligible orphaned relatives, or those eligible under the “lonely Canadian” policy.
- Sponsors must meet MNI for their family unit size and provide 3 consecutive years of Canada Revenue Agency-issued Notices of Assessment (NOA) as proof.
Income Considerations
- Spousal sponsorship does not necessitate a minimum income demonstration.
- A signed undertaking commits the sponsor to provide financial support for the basic needs of the sponsored family member, with a repayment promise for social assistance benefits over 20 years.
- For spousal sponsorship, the undertaking period is 3 years from the sponsored individual’s permanent resident status.
Dependent Children
- Sponsors of dependent children are exempt from MNI if the child does not have children of their own.
- MNI applies if the sponsored child has dependent children.
Family Sponsorship in Quebec
The process of sponsoring a family member in Quebec involves understanding the unique requirements specific to the province. Quebec, with its autonomy in immigration matters, requires residents or citizens residing in the province to first seek approval from the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for sponsoring eligible family members.
Canada Family Sponsorship: Background and Medical Check
In the journey towards Canadian permanent residence through a family sponsorship program, individuals need to navigate through essential background and medical checks. Here’s a detailed guide:
1. Background Check: All individuals above 18 applying for Canadian permanent residence, irrespective of the province, must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate to verify they are not criminally inadmissible.
Applicants are required to obtain clearances from all countries where they have resided for 6 months or longer since turning 18.
2. Biometrics Requirement: A vital step in the immigration process involves providing biometrics, a requirement for most applicants to Canada, including those in Quebec.
Canada’s online tool assists in determining the necessity of biometrics. Once the fee is paid, applicants receive instructions from IRCC on the biometrics process.
3. Medical Examination: Canadian permanent residence applicants, including residents of Quebec, undergo a medical exam to ensure they are not medically inadmissible. The medical exam is conducted by a doctor enlisted on IRCC’s list of panel physicians. Interestingly, this doesn’t need to be submitted with the initial application; instead, IRCC provides instructions for post-sponsorship application submission.
At ImmigCanada, we provide the guidance needed to make this process seamless, ensuring your pathway to Canadian permanent residence is both smooth and successful.
Checking Application Status
For spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship, use Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker portal to track your application status.
If sponsoring another family member, checking the status depends on the application submission method (online or by mail). IRCC’s online tool offers guidance on checking sponsorship application status.
Why Choose ImmigCanada – New Beginnings, Together
Our sponsorship programs recognize the importance of swift reunions. Families should never be put on hold, and with reduced processing times, we ensure that your loved ones join you in Canada without unnecessary delays.
Navigating the various pathways under the Family Class Sponsorship umbrella might seem intricate, but fear not. We offer comprehensive support, guiding you through the processes and assisting in collecting and submitting the necessary evidence.
Canadian Sponsorship FAQs
Q: Is there a deadline for Canadian sponsorship applications?
A: Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply to sponsor their spouse or child at any time. However, sponsorship for parents or grandparents requires an invitation and must be submitted within the provided deadline.
Q: Can I sponsor my brother or sister to come to Canada?
A: Sponsoring siblings is challenging, except under specific circumstances like meeting criteria for a “Lonely Canadian” or including siblings as dependents on parental sponsorship.
Q: Can I sponsor my fiancé to come to Canada?
A: No, Canada does not allow sponsorship for fiancés. Spousal sponsorship is the route, and alternative options exist for common-law partners.
Q: Can I sponsor my boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada?
A: Canada doesn’t have a program for sponsoring boyfriends or girlfriends. Sponsorship is limited to spouses, common-law partners, and, in specific cases, conjugal partners.
Q: Can I sponsor my friend to come to Canada?
A: No, there is no provision for sponsoring friends. Friends interested in immigration may explore other immigration programs.
Q: Is there an age limit for sponsorship in Canada?
A: To sponsor a family member, Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age limit for sponsoring family members.
Q: Can my spouse or common-law partner work during their inland spousal sponsorship application?
A: If they have a valid work permit, they can continue working until it expires. Alternatively, those with study or visitor visas may be eligible for an open work permit during processing.
