Updated on December 2, 2024 by canadian immigration experts
What is Family Sponsorship?
Through family sponsorship, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can bring their relatives to Canada to settle permanently.
Now comes the question – Which Family Members Can I Sponsor To Immigrate To Canada?
Whether you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, you can sponsor certain family members to join you in Canada. Lets talk about this in detail below.
How To Sponsor a Family Member to Canada – Eligibility Criteria & Application Process
Sponsoring Spouses, Common-Law, and Conjugal Partners:
- Canadian citizen, or
- a permanent resident living in Canada, or
- registered Indigenous citizen under the Canadian Indian Act,
- who lives in Canada or is a Canadian citizen planning to return to the country;
- who does not receive social assistance for reasons other than a disability;
- and who can provide for your own basic needs and the needs of the spouse and the spouse’s dependent children;
- – legally married to you, or
- – living with you in a common-law relationship or
- – who is in conjugal relationship with the sponsor
Spousal Sponsorship Canada Requirements
Outland Sponsorship:
This pathway is designed for couples where the sponsored partner is living abroad. Outland sponsorship applications are initially submitted to the IRCC’s office in Canada to process the Canadian sponsor’s eligibility.
Once approved, they are transferred to the Canadian Visa Mission, responsible for the sponsored partner’s country of residence, where the partner’s application for permanent residence will be processed and completed.
Following IRCC’s commitment to processing spousal sponsorship applications and reuniting couples in the most expedited manner, the average processing time for both stages of outland sponsorship is about 12-18 months.
In situations of outland sponsorship, sponsored partners are eligible to apply for a visitor visa to Canada through the Canadian Visa Mission of their country of residence or nationality, where their applications are processed in an expedited manner and can be issued, according to our experience, this can take a short period of 2-3 weeks.
Inland Sponsorship:
This pathway enables Canadian sponsors whose partners are already in Canada to file the sponsorship to IRCC application in-land, which will be processed and completed. This pathway allows the sponsored partner to remain in Canada for the duration of the application processing.
Once the sponsorship application has been submitted and a file number (UCI) is assigned, the sponsored partner can apply for a work permit.
Once an open work permit is issued, the sponsored partner becomes authorized to work for any employer in Canada while awaiting the decision on their application.
With IRCC’s commitment to expediting spousal sponsorship applications, we have seen our clients’ applications processed in as little as six months, offering hope for a swift reunion.
How Can You Sponsor Parents and Grandparents to Canada?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can typically sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency under the Family Class Sponsorship Program.
However, in recent years, the parental program has effectively been closed due to limited intake quotas and a high demand far exceeding the available spots the IRCC allocated for this specific program.
The program has transitioned into a lottery-based selection system with only a small number of applicants (Canadian sponsors) chosen each year, making it increasingly difficult for Canadians to sponsor their parents and grandparents permanently.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) opens at the IRCC’s discretion when a sponsor can enter the lottery by submitting an “interest to sponsor” form.
If selected, the sponsor submits a sponsorship application for sponsored parents or grandparents. An important sponsor’s eligibility is determined by the sponsor’s yearly income, which should be sufficient per income tables posted by IRCC every year.
Due to the introduced quotas, many Canadian children were left waiting for an opportunity to bring their loved ones to Canada.
Our professional experience has shown us that the IRCC has a long way to go in perfecting the program, as it currently hurts separated family members eager to reconnect and re-establish their shared life in Canada.
This causes massive hardship for those banking on the lottery-based system in hopes that their name will be drawn.
For the lucky ones who were selected to apply and successfully brought their parents and grandparents to Canada as permanent residents, the program will keep track of their compliance with the undertaken financial commitment to the IRCC to support their sponsored parents or grandparents in Canada for 20 years.
Sponsoring Dependent Children to Come to Canada
Who can sponsor family members to come to Canada?
– Canadian citizen, or
– a permanent resident living in Canada, or
– registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act,
– who lives in Canada or is a Canadian citizen planning to return to the country;
– who does not receive social assistance for reasons other than a disability;
– and who can provide for the basic needs of the sponsored dependent child;
Who you can sponsor to Come to Canada?
- – under 22 years old
- – not married or in a common-law relationship,
- – children who are over 22 years old and financially dependent on their parents due to their physical or mental condition;
Sponsoring Siblings, Nieces, Nephews, or Grandchildren Come to Canada
- – are under 18 years of age,
- – have lost both parents,
- – are unmarried, and
- – are blood relatives or legally adopted by the Sponsor.
The Last Remaining Relative Sponsorship:
Canada Family Sponsorship Immigration Visa FAQs
Can I sponsor a family member if I am receiving social assistance?
Who Can a Canadian Citizen Sponsor to Come to Canada?
If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor close relatives like your spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, and grandparents. You can also sponsor orphaned siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren. The primary condition is that the sponsor must be able to support the family member financially for a set period, depending on the relationship.
How long does family sponsorship take?
Processing times vary depending on the type of family sponsorship. For spouses and partners, it may take 10 -18 months. For parents and grandparents, the PGP can take several years.
How Can I Sponsor Parents and Grandparents to Canada?
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows you to sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residency. This program opens once a year and operates through a lottery system. Sponsors must meet income requirements and agree to support their relatives financially.
Alternatively, the Super Visa is a faster option that lets parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to five years without the need for frequent visa renewals.
Can a Canadian citizen sponsor a family member for a visitor visa?
While family sponsorship is for permanent residency, you can support a family member’s visitor visa application. However, a visitor visa is meant for temporary reunification in Canada only.
What is the difference between inland and outland spousal sponsorship?
Inland sponsorship is for couples already living in Canada, allowing the foreign spouse to apply for an Open Work Permit. Outland sponsorship is for couples where the foreign spouse is living abroad.
Can I Sponsor a Brother, Sister, Nephew, or Niece?
Can a sponsored family member work in Canada while waiting for permanent residency?
Sponsored spouses and partners for whom the sponsorship application is filed inland can apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), which allows them to work while their application for permanent residency is processed.
Can I sponsor my same-sex partner?
Can I sponsor my partner if I have a criminal conviction?
Need Guidance?
CONTACT Jane Katkova & Associates. We are here to assist you in bringing your loved ones closer.
