Sponsorship

Sponsorship

Canada has several immigration procedures that allow citizens to sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada since the country is dedicated to preserving family ties and keeping loved ones together.

What is family class sponsorship?

For permanent residents or citizens of Canada who want to bring their loved ones to Canada, sponsorship opportunities are available. Certain family members may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through these schemes. Family sponsorship programmes, one of the most well-liked immigration routes in Canada, make it simple for citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouses and immediate family members to the country with shortened processing times because Canada understands that family is something that should never be put on hold.

Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?

Common-law partner, conjugal partner, or spouse

Whether they are resident in Canada on a valid temporary visa or abroad, you may be able to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residency. Couples who are residing in Canada may also be eligible for an open work permit, which would allow them to lessen some of their financial worries.
The ability to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being reviewed is provided by a spousal open work permit. Canada accepts common-law unions, so if you and your partner are not wed but have lived together for at least a year, you may be qualified to apply for spousal sponsorship.

Grandparent or Parental Sponsorship

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are also included in Canada's commitment to family reunification through the parent and grandparent sponsorship programme. Citizens and permanent residents must show that they can support their family financially by earning at least the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required for the size of their family unit in order to sponsor a parent or grandparent. They must also consent to providing financial support, if necessary, for the sponsored family members. A Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Sponsors who are unable to provide their parent or grandparent with long-term support may be eligible.

Sponsorship for a child or other dependent

You can choose to list your children as accompanying dependents on your application for permanent residency if you're moving to Canada. However, they might still be able to join you in Canada later if you decide not to include them or are otherwise unable to do so. As long as they are not married and do not already have children of their own, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence in Canada. If a child above the age of 22 has a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible for them to support themselves, that child may be regarded as a dependent.

Unwanted sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild

Occasionally, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be able to sponsor an orphaned sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild to immigrate to Canada. They must be unmarried, less than 18, and related to you by blood or adoption in order to sponsor an orphaned relative.

Other relatives, in uncommon cases as a "Lonely Canadian"

Rarely, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be able to sponsor the immigration of one distant relative. Sponsors must be regarded as "Lonely Canadians" in order to sponsor a relative who does not fit Canada's existing criteria of the Family Class. This indicates that the sponsor is single and has no children, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, or spouse.

How can I be eligible to sponsor a family member?

You must fulfil the minimal eligibility conditions before you can sponsor a family member. Sponsors that qualify must meet the following requirements:
1. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
2. be older than 18 years old
3. You currently reside in Canada or intend to do so when your spouse or partner is granted permanent residency there.
4. be willing and able to provide the family member's essential needs for three years.

Who isn’t eligible to sponsor a relative?

A citizen or permanent resident may not sponsor in certain circumstances. A sponsor may not qualify if one of the situations listed below applies to them:
1. are currently in prison
2. have not made alimony or child support payments
3. filed for bankruptcy but haven't been discharged
4. obtained social assistance for a condition other than a disability
5. made late or missing payments on an immigration loan, or failed to repay an immigration loan
6. have previously sponsored another relative and failed to uphold the requirements of the sponsorship agreement.
7. have been convicted of a violent crime, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence, depending on details of the case

What is the income requirement for Canadian family sponsorship?

Some sponsorship requests have minimum income restrictions, including those from parents, grandparents, qualified orphaned relatives, or "lonely Canadian" policy applicants.
These sponsors are needed to earn the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) necessary for the size of their family unit and to submit Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency as evidence that they have done so for at least three years in a row.
You do not need to provide proof of a minimum level of income, unlike most other types of Canadian sponsorship. To sponsor a relative to immigrate to Canada, you must, however, sign an a commitment whereby you guarantee that your sponsored family member will receive the necessary financial help. This agreement, which is necessary for all sponsorship applications, confirms the sponsor's commitment to pay back the social assistance benefits received for a 20-year term by themselves and any related family members. In the event that the Sponsor resides in Quebec, a supplementary undertaking shall be executed.
Depending on the type of sponsorship, the endeavour can vary in length. The duration of the endeavour is three years starting on the day the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident of Canada for spousal sponsorship (including spouses and common-law or conjugal partners).
It is not necessary for Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are sponsoring their dependent children to if their dependent child doesn't have their own children, they can make the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI). The sponsor must meet the MNI requirements for their family unit size if the sponsored dependent kid has dependent children of their own.

Do I need a job to sponsor a family member?

Applicants must fulfil MNI requirements in order to sponsor a family member who is not a spouse or partner. While employment is not absolutely required, sponsors must show that they have had enough money over the last three years to support the family members they are supporting.

What other options do I have to bring my family member to Canada?

Your relative might be qualified under another Canadian immigration programme if sponsorship is not a possibility. Find out what immigration alternatives are available to you or your family by completing our free online assessment right away.

How many relatives can I sponsor to Canada?

The total number of qualified family members that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor is unlimited. For each qualified family member sponsored, however, applicants must submit a separate application.

Sponsoring a family member in Quebec

Quebec has more freedom from the federal government to choose who will live there. Therefore, in order to sponsor a member of their eligible family, permanent residents or citizens of Quebec must first request permission from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration (MIFI). For sponsors who reside in Quebec, MIFI is responsible for approving a sponsorship undertaking.

Canadian sponsorship background check

For proof that they are not criminally inadmissible, any adult over the age of 18 who applies for permanent residence in Canada must submit a Police Clearance Certificate.
All nations where they have lived for six months or more since turning 18 require applicants to acquire police checks.