Family Sponsorship in Canada: Reuniting Loved Ones Through Immigration

Introduction

Family is a fundamental aspect of life, and Canada recognizes the importance of keeping families together. Through its Family Sponsorship Program, Canada offers permanent residents and citizens the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones. This immigration stream allows eligible individuals to sponsor certain family members to come to Canada and live as permanent residents. With its welcoming immigration policies, Canada continues to be one of the most family-friendly countries in the world, fostering unity and togetherness.

What is Family Sponsorship?

The Family Sponsorship Program is a Canadian immigration stream that allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their close family members, such as spouses, parents, grandparents, dependent children, and other relatives, to immigrate to Canada. The program is aimed at keeping families united while contributing to Canada’s social and economic development.

By sponsoring a family member, the sponsor agrees to provide financial support to the sponsored person for a specific period. This ensures that the sponsored family member does not require social assistance from the Canadian government.

Types of Family Sponsorship

1. Spousal Sponsorship

The Spousal Sponsorship Program is designed for Canadian citizens or permanent residents who wish to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to live in Canada as a permanent resident. Both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships are eligible for sponsorship.

• Inland Spousal Sponsorship: This option is for couples who are already living together in Canada. The spouse or partner being sponsored can apply for an open work permit while the application is being processed, allowing them to work and contribute to the household.
• Outland Spousal Sponsorship: This option is for couples where the sponsored spouse or partner is living outside of Canada. While this process generally takes longer, it allows for greater flexibility in travel between Canada and the foreign country.

Eligibility for Spousal Sponsorship:

• The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old.
• The relationship must be genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes.
• The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to financially support their spouse or partner.
• The sponsor must not have sponsored another spouse within the past five years.
2. Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship

Canada also allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents through the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP). This program is highly popular and often operates on a lottery or invitation system due to high demand. Sponsored parents and grandparents can become permanent residents and, eventually, citizens of Canada.

One alternative for parents and grandparents who do not qualify under the PGP is the Super Visa, a temporary resident visa that allows them to visit Canada for extended periods, up to 10 years, without needing to apply for a regular visitor visa.

Eligibility for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship:

• The sponsor must meet specific financial requirements (Minimum Necessary Income) to prove they can support their parents or grandparents.
• The sponsor must sign an agreement promising to provide financial support for the sponsored family members for up to 20 years.
• Parents and grandparents must pass medical exams, criminal background checks, and security clearances.
3. Dependent Child Sponsorship

The Dependent Child Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their biological or adopted children for permanent residency. The child must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Exceptions are made for children over 22 who are financially dependent on their parents due to a physical or mental condition.

Eligibility for Dependent Child Sponsorship:

• The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The sponsor must prove that they can provide financial support to the child.
• The child must undergo medical examinations, security checks, and criminal background checks.
4. Other Relatives

In exceptional cases, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may sponsor other relatives, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, if they meet specific criteria. This option is generally available if the sponsor has no other family members in Canada and no other close relatives abroad who can be sponsored.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Sponsorship

• Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Age: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
• Financial Support: The sponsor must agree to financially support the sponsored family member for a specific period. This period ranges from 3 to 20 years, depending on the type of sponsorship.
• No Social Assistance: The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance from the government for reasons other than a disability.
• Criminal Record: The sponsor must not have a criminal record or be imprisoned.
• Not Under Bankruptcy: The sponsor must not be bankrupt or have been declared bankrupt at the time of the application.

For the sponsored person, they must meet the following requirements:

• Relationship Proof: The sponsored person must be able to provide proof of a legitimate relationship with the sponsor, whether it’s a spousal, parental, or dependent relationship.
• Medical Examination: The sponsored person must pass a medical examination to ensure they do not have a condition that would place an excessive demand on Canadian healthcare.
• Criminal Background: The sponsored person must pass security and criminal background checks.

Family Sponsorship Application Process

1. Submit the Sponsorship Application

The first step is for the sponsor to submit a sponsorship application to IRCC. The application should include all required documents, including proof of relationship, identity documents, and financial information. Sponsors must also submit a signed sponsorship agreement, indicating their commitment to financially supporting their family member.

2. Submit the Permanent Residence Application

At the same time, the sponsored family member must submit an application for permanent residence. This includes medical exams, police certificates, and background checks. The applications for sponsorship and permanent residence are processed simultaneously.

3. Wait for Processing

Processing times for family sponsorship applications vary depending on the relationship and country of residence. Spousal sponsorship applications typically take 12 months, while parent and grandparent applications can take longer. IRCC provides regular updates on application processing times.

4. Approval and Arrival

Once the sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored family member will receive confirmation of permanent residence (COPR). They can then make arrangements to travel to Canada and complete their landing as a permanent resident.

Rights and Responsibilities of Sponsors

As a sponsor, you have important rights and responsibilities under Canadian immigration law. The primary responsibility is to provide financial support to your sponsored family member for a set period. The length of time depends on the relationship:

• Spouse/Common-law Partner: 3 years
• Dependent Child: 10 years or until the child turns 25 (whichever comes first)
• Parents/Grandparents: 20 years

If the sponsored family member receives social assistance during the sponsorship period, the sponsor may be required to repay the government.

Transitioning to Citizenship

After living in Canada as permanent residents for several years, sponsored family members may become eligible for Canadian citizenship. To qualify for citizenship, individuals must meet residency requirements, pass a citizenship test, and demonstrate language proficiency in English or French.

Conclusion

Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program is a testament to the country’s commitment to keeping families together and offering opportunities for immigrants to build their lives in Canada. Whether you're sponsoring a spouse, parent, child, or other relative, family sponsorship provides a legal pathway for reuniting loved ones in Canada. At VisaVio, we specialize in guiding clients through the sponsorship process, ensuring that all applications are completed accurately and efficiently. Reunite with your loved ones and start your journey toward a united future in Canada.