Immigration Lawyer

Family Sponsorship

Immigration Lawyer

Family Sponsorship in Canada

Family sponsorship is one of the strongest programs under Canada’s immigration system. With this immigration pathway, you can bring your family members like spouse, children, parents to Canada and get permanent residence. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024 has aimed to welcome around 114,000 permanent residents through Family Sponsorship.

Are you eligible to sponsor?

To be able to sponsor to Canada under the family sponsorship, you need to be:

At least 18 years of age or older.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada
A person registered under the Canadian Indian Act
You must meet the low-income cutoff, a minimum level set by the Canadian government based on the number of people you will sponsor. This is to ensure you can meet the basic needs of who you sponsor.

Who can you sponsor?

Under a Canadian family sponsorship program, a Canadian citizen can sponsor the following family members or relatives:

Dependent Child:

Under this, you can sponsor your biological or adopted child who is under the age of 22 years. The child must not be married or in a common-law relationship. Children over the age of 22 can also be sponsored if he or she has any mental or physical condition.

Spouse or common-law partner:

One can sponsor their spouse, conjugal partners, or common-law partner under family sponsorship. In this there are two types of sponsorships:

Inland sponsorship: This is applicable if your spouse or partner already lives in Canada; they can apply for a permanent resident. At the same time, they can also apply for a work permit during the processing time of the sponsorship.
Outland Sponsorship: This is applicable if your spouse or partner lives outside Canada, then the sponsorship is processed in the visa office of their home country. However, your spouse can visit you with a necessary visa.

Parents and grandparents:

You can sponsor your parent and grandparent to become permanent residents of Canada through the PGP program. You need to meet the minimum income threshold for this program.

Please note: A Super Visa will allow your parents and grandparents to stay without the need of renewing their visa for up to 5 years.

Orphaned relatives:

You can sponsor a relative if they are an orphaned sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild. They need to be under the age of 18 years old, without parents and unmarried, to qualify.

Other Relatives:

You can only sponsor other relatives in exceptional cases, such as if you have no family members in Canada and no other eligible relatives to sponsor.

Please Note: Each sponsorship program has its own requirements for the application process.

Is an undertaking required for sponsorship in Canada?

A sponsorship undertaking is a commitment made by you to support your sponsor financially when they come to Canada. It is a legal agreement in which, as a sponsor, you agree to provide the basic requirements and needs for a certain period without relying on any government assistance. In case of failure to fulfil the undertakings, it can lead to financial penalties. The periods are:

For spouse, it is for 3 years.
For dependent children, for 10 years or until they turn 25 years of age.
For parents and grandparents, it is 20 years.

How can our Immigration Lawyers assist you with your family sponsorship?

Going through family sponsorship process can be a lengthy and overwhelming. Our experienced Immigration Lawyers are here to help you unite with your family in a simplified manner. To be successful in the sponsorship of your family members, call us at 905-405-0199 now!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does family sponsorship take in Canada?

It takes about 12 months for the Canadian government to make decisions on the application of family sponsorship. This is an average timeframe; further, it may vary depending on other factors such as potential implications, process completion, and the time taken at the visa office. The sponsorship of parents and grandparents may take a little longer because of limited posts and high demand.

2. Can I apply online for family sponsorship?

Yes, online applications are allowed for family sponsorship. The IRCC permits the applications to be submitted online for partners, dependent children, and spousal. The process of application for parents and grandparents’ starts with ‘interest to sponsor’ form, which is also submitted online.

3. What are the eligibility requirements to sponsor a dependent child?

The requirements to sponsor a dependent child requires them to be under the age of 22. In the case of mental or physical conditions, there is an exemption to age. The child must be either your biological child or legally adopted and must not be married or in a common-law relationship. They should also be financially dependent on you.

4. How much does it cost to apply for a family sponsorship to Canada?

The sponsorship fee is CAD 85, while the charge for the processing fee for spouse or partner is CAD 570, and for dependent child, per child, it is CAD 175.