Family sponsorship is one of the key pathways for bringing loved ones to Canada. The Family Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members to come and live in Canada. Here’s an overview of the process and requirements for family sponsorship:
1. Eligible Sponsors
To sponsor a family member, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Prove that you can financially support the sponsored person and ensure they don’t need social assistance.
- Meet specific income requirements depending on the family member you’re sponsoring.
2. Eligible Family Members for Sponsorship
You can sponsor the following family members:
- Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner: Includes partners of any gender.
- Dependent children: Your own children, as well as your spouse’s or common-law partner’s children, who are under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship. In some cases, children over 22 can also be sponsored if they depend on you financially due to physical or mental conditions.
- Parents and grandparents: You can sponsor your parents or grandparents to live in Canada as permanent residents.
- Other relatives: In exceptional cases, you may be able to sponsor other relatives (like siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandparents) if you don’t have any other family members to sponsor. However, this is a rare scenario and typically requires additional documentation.
3. The Sponsorship Process
The family sponsorship process consists of two main stages: the sponsor application and the permanent residence application.
Step 1: Sponsor Application
- Eligibility Check: The first step is to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements as a sponsor.
- Submit Sponsorship Application: You’ll need to submit a sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which includes proof of your financial stability, income, and commitment to supporting your loved one.
- Provide Documents: This can include proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, financial records, and information about your relationship to the person you are sponsoring (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).
- Application Fees: You will need to pay the application processing fees, which vary depending on the type of sponsorship (e.g., spouse, parent, child).
Step 2: Permanent Residence Application
- Permanent Resident Application: After IRCC accepts the sponsorship application, the next step is the permanent residence application from the person you are sponsoring. This involves providing personal information, biometrics (if required), medical exams, and police certificates.
- Medical and Background Checks: Your loved one will need to undergo a medical exam and provide police certificates to ensure they meet health and security standards.
- Wait for Decision: After the complete application is submitted, IRCC will process the application. The processing time can vary, but it typically takes around 12 months for parents and grandparents and 12 months or less for spouses and dependent children.
4. Financial Requirements
- Income Proof: Sponsors must provide evidence that they meet the minimum necessary income to support the sponsored family member(s). You will be asked to submit tax documents (e.g., Notice of Assessment) to demonstrate your financial stability.
- Income Level: The income requirement depends on the number of people you are sponsoring, including the person(s) being sponsored, their dependents, and any family members you already have living with you in Canada. The requirements can change each year based on the Low Income Measure (LIM) and Size of Family Unit.
- Undertaking: As a sponsor, you will need to sign an undertaking to support your family member(s) financially for a period of time:
- For a spouse or common-law partner, the undertaking lasts 3 years.
- For a dependent child, the undertaking lasts 10 years or until the child turns 25.
- For parents and grandparents, the undertaking lasts 20 years.
5. Additional Documents and Requirements
- Proof of Relationship: You will need to submit documents proving your relationship with the person you’re sponsoring, such as marriage or birth certificates.
- Adopted Children: If you are sponsoring an adopted child, you will need to provide the adoption certificate, adoption history, and proof of the legal adoption process.
- Spouse or Partner Sponsorship: For spouse or common-law partner sponsorship, you may need to submit evidence of your relationship, such as joint bank accounts, joint leases, photographs, and communication records.
6. Post-Approval Process
Once your family member’s application is approved, they will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If they are outside Canada, they will also be issued a permanent resident visa to enter Canada. Once they arrive, they will officially become permanent residents.
7. Common Challenges
- Proof of Relationship: Sometimes, proving the genuineness of a relationship, especially in cases of common-law or conjugal partnerships, can be challenging. Be sure to provide as much supporting evidence as possible, such as shared financial responsibilities, joint activities, and communication history.
- Income Requirements: Meeting the financial requirements can be a challenge for some sponsors, especially if they are sponsoring multiple family members. It’s important to plan ahead and ensure you have the necessary funds to support the sponsored individual(s).
- Long Processing Times: The process can sometimes take longer than expected. It’s important to keep track of your application’s status and provide any requested additional documents as quickly as possible.
8. Post-Arrival Responsibilities
- Support Your Family: After your family member(s) arrive in Canada, you will be required to support them financially for the length of the undertaking. This includes helping them settle in Canada and ensuring they have access to resources like healthcare and housing.
- Ensure Compliance: Make sure your family member(s) comply with Canadian laws and regulations, including obtaining health insurance, registering for services, and finding employment or educational opportunities.