Canada has long been celebrated as a nation that cherishes its multicultural identity and diversity. At the heart of this ethos is a commitment to family—including the family members we leave behind in our countries of origin when we immigrate. Thanks to family sponsorship Canada plays a crucial role in the Canada family reunification immigration process, giving thousands of individuals the opportunity each year to bring their loved ones to the country. This post will guide you through the categories of family members you can sponsor and the specifics of each sponsorship program.
Who Can Sponsor Their Family?
If you are a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, or a permanent resident of Canada, and are at least 18 years old, you can sponsor certain family members for Canadian residency. As with any immigration program, other eligibility requirements may also apply, tailored to the specific sponsorship stream you choose.
Sponsoring Spouses, Common-law and Conjugal Partners
The Spousal Sponsorship program facilitates the reunion of Canadian residents with their spouses, common-law, or conjugal partners. This includes both opposite- and same-sex relationships. Key conditions for this program include:
- The sponsored individual should either be legally married to the sponsor or have cohabited with them for a minimum of one year in a conjugal relationship.
- The sponsor must commit to financially support the sponsored person for three years.
- The sponsor must not receive social assistance, barring disability assistance, and not have a history of bankruptcy.
This sponsorship can take the form of either in-land or outland:
Outland Sponsorship
- The Canadian sponsor lives in Canada, while the foreign partner may be abroad.
- Applications are processed through the visa office associated with the partner’s homeland or the country where they’ve legally stayed for over a year.
- Sponsors are required to remain in Canada during the application.
Inland Sponsorship
- Both spouses/partners live together in Canada, and the foreign partner holds temporary resident status.
- Foreign spouses on temporary status might be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP) while waiting for the sponsorship process.
- Applications are processed within Canada.
Sponsoring Dependent Children
For those wishing to bring their dependent children to Canada, the Dependent Child Sponsorship program is available. To be eligible:
- The sponsor must provide support for ten years, or until the child is 25 years old.
- The child must be under 22 years of age and unmarried.
- Children over 22 must have been continuously studying, disabled, or dependent on the sponsor prior to reaching 22.
Parents are advised to submit their applications before the child reaches 22 to prevent disqualification due to age. This two-step process begins with the submission of a sponsorship profile with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If you’re interested in learning more about the dependent child sponsorship, click here.
Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents
The Parents and Grandparents program (PGP) is one of Canada’s most sought-after immigration pathways. This annual program permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency (PR). Some characteristics include:
- A lottery-based system where sponsors express interest and, if selected, proceed to apply for their relatives.
- Sponsors must undertake to cover their sponsored relatives’ costs, including medical and living expenses.
The PGP, operating on a lottery basis, may require patience as processing times can extend over several years.
Alternatively, the Super Visa program offers a swifter solution, allowing multiple entry to Canada and the possibility of staying up to five years per visit, with the visa being valid for up to ten years. Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa does not lead to PR.
Special Cases: Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, and Grandchildren
In certain instances, you may sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if:
- There’s a blood relation or adopted connection.
- Both parents have passed away.
- The individual is under 18 and unmarried.
However, this option is unavailable if either parent is living, their whereabouts are unknown, they have abandoned the child, or another individual is providing care while a parent is alive or detained.
Sponsoring Any Other Relative
You may sponsor any other relative, regardless of age, if you have no other living relatives, as described above, in Canada or relatives who could be sponsored. Conditions include not having living Canadian relatives such as aunts or uncles who are citizens, permanent residents, or registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Family sponsorship in Canada offers a beacon of hope for those aiming to unify with their family members. With a range of options and thorough processes in place, sponsoring relatives for Canadian residency is a tangible, albeit sometimes lengthy, pathway towards familial unity on Canadian soil.
To navigate the various family sponsorship programs, always refer to the official IRCC website or consult with immigration professionals to ensure you correctly understand the requirements and processes.
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Glossary of Immigration Terminology
1. Family Sponsorship:
A process that allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals registered as Indians under the Canadian Indian Act who are at least 18 years old to sponsor certain family members for Canadian residency.
2. Spousal Sponsorship:
A program that facilitates the reunion of Canadian residents with their spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners, including both opposite- and same-sex relationships.
3. Outland Sponsorship:
A sponsorship option where the Canadian sponsor resides in Canada, while the foreign partner is abroad. Applications are processed through the visa office associated with the partner’s homeland or country of legal residence.
4. Inland Sponsorship:
A sponsorship option where both spouses or partners live together in Canada, and the foreign partner holds temporary resident status. Applications are processed within Canada.
5. Dependent Child Sponsorship:
A program that allows sponsors to bring their dependent children to Canada, who must be under 22 years of age and unmarried.
6. Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP):
An immigration pathway that permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency, involving a lottery-based system to express interest.
7. Super Visa Program:
A program offering parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents a multiple-entry visa to Canada, allowing stays of up to five years per visit but does not lead to permanent residency.
8. Special Cases Sponsorship:
A provision for sponsoring orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren under specific conditions, including the absence of living parents and being under 18 years of age and unmarried.
9. Any Other Relative Sponsorship:
A sponsorship option for individuals who have no other living relatives in Canada, allowing them to sponsor any other relative regardless of age, except for certain excluded relatives like aunts or uncles who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians under the Canadian Indian Act.
As we unravel the heartwarming tapestry of family reunification through Canada’s sponsorship programs, it’s clear that diversity is indeed celebrated here. Whether reuniting with spouses, children, grandparents, or extended family, the process is a beacon of hope. Delve deeper into these opportunities at visaverge.com for a comprehensive understanding of Canada’s family sponsorship landscape.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Canada’s family sponsorship supports family unity for citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians. Programs cover spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and kin in special cases. Requirements vary, but aim to bring loved ones to Canada. For clear guidance, consult the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or immigration experts.
