Canada’s sponsorship programs – An overview
Canada’s sponsorship programs support a variety of industries and projects, including small businesses, charities, sports teams, artists, and cultural events. Canadian immigration programs enable citizens to sponsor their family members so they can immigrate to the country as a part of its commitment to family reunification.
Family class sponsorship – What is it?
Canada offers sponsorship programs for citizens and permanent residents interested in bringing their relatives to the country. It is possible to seek permanent residency for several family members through these programs. Because of Canada’s strong family values, citizens and permanent residents can immigrate to Canada with their spouses and immediate family members with a faster processing time through the immigration stream.
Who can I sponsor to Canadian immigration?
You can choose to sponsor your husband or wife, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for permanent residence in Canada, whether they live in Canada or overseas. A couple may also be able to reduce some of their financial obligations with an open work permit if they are in-country residents.
The ability to work in Canada while having their sponsorship application reviewed is provided by a spousal open work visa. Due to Canada’s recognition of common-law partnerships, you may qualify for spousal sponsorship even if you are not married.
Grandparent or parent sponsorship
By sponsoring parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents, Canada extends its commitment to family reunification. If you want to sponsor a parent or grandparent, you must meet the MNI according to the size of their family. Furthermore, they must agree to provide any necessary financial assistance to the sponsored family members. Sponsors who are unable to provide their grandparents or parents with ongoing support have the Super Visa option. It is a visa with many entries that is good for a protracted period of time.
Sponsorship of child and other dependent
Whenever you apply for permanent residency in Canada, you can include your children as accompanying dependents. It is still possible for them to join you in Canada if you decide not to include them or fail to do so later. Biological or adopted children of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may be sponsored as long as neither is married nor has children. Children who are physically and mentally impaired and are above the age of 22 are still considered dependents.
Grandchild, Orphaned brother, niece, and nephew
Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be able to sponsor their nieces, nephew, grandchildren, and orphaned sibling to migrate to Canada depending on their circumstances. You must be a blood relative or an adopted relative to sponsor a relative that is not married, under the age of 18, and unmarried.
Relatives other than a spouse and children under exceptional circumstances
The sponsorship of a distant relative’s immigration to Canada is rare among Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents. For family members who don’t qualify for the existing Family Class in Canada, sponsors must be considered lonely Canadians. Sponsors cannot be spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, children, or grandchildren of others.
Sponsorship for a family member – Its eligibility
To be sponsored, family members need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Qualifications for sponsors include:
- Citizenship or permanent residency in Canada is required.
- A minimum age of 18 is required.
- In case you reside in Canada or plan to move back, your spouse or partner will obtain permanent residency status in Canada as well.
- Your family member must be able to and willing to receive basic financial support for three years.
Who is ineligible for sponsorship of a member of their family?
Sponsorship is not permitted in certain circumstances for citizens or permanent residents. Sponsors may not qualify if they fall under one of the following circumstances:
- They are currently incarcerated.
- Payments of alimony and child support have not been made.
- Currently in bankruptcy and unable to be released.
- Non-disability reasons for receiving social assistance.
- Payments made late, missed, or failed to repay immigration loans.
- Failure to meet the sponsorship agreement terms when sponsoring another relative previously.
- According to the details of the case, have been convicted of violent crimes, offences against family members, or serious sexual offences.
Sponsoring a family member – It’s cost
Depending on whether you are sponsoring your spouse’s children or supporting your adopted child, $150 will need to be paid for each child listed on the application. When you include your relative’s spouse or partner, the amount goes up to $1,050. Sponsoring a relative in Canada involves government processing fees listed below.
- The sponsorship fee is $75
- Processing fee for principal applicants is $475
- A fee of $500 is required for permanent residence
- Obtaining biometrics costs $85
- $1135 in total
If the sponsor already resides in Quebec or intends to relocate there after receiving permanent residency, a charge of $289 CDN must be paid in addition to the payments listed above.
Canadian family sponsorship – Required income
Applicants who meet the minimum income requirements may be permitted to sponsor their grandkids, orphans, or “lonely Canadian” policy-eligible individuals. As evidence of their continued compliance, sponsors must also have NOA – (Notices of Assessment) for the past three years from the Canada Revenue Agency, as well as the MNI – (Minimum Required Income).
Unlike other forms of Canadian sponsorship, sponsoring a spouse does not require demonstrating a specific income level. However, it is crucial to sign a financial undertaking, which guarantees that the basic needs of the sponsored family member will be met after they arrive in Canada. As part of every sponsorship application, sponsors must include this declaration confirming their commitment to repay any social assistance benefits they receive for a period of 20 years. An additional undertaking must be executed by the sponsor if he or she lives in Quebec.
Sponsorship has a direct impact on the duration of the effort. From the date a spouse or common-law or conjugal partner becomes a Canadian permanent resident, the spousal sponsorship undertaking will last three years.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can exempt their dependent children from meeting the MNI – (Minimum Necessary Income) standard if their dependent does not have children of their own. If a sponsor has their own dependent children in addition to the sponsored dependent child, they have to satisfy the MNI requirements for the size of their family unit.
Can I sponsor a family member without a job?
The application must be sponsored by a family member who is not the applicant’s spouse or partner and who satisfies the MNI standards. Sponsors need not always have employment but are still required to demonstrate sufficient income to support family members over the last three years.
How long will the sponsorship last?
The complete processing cycle for sponsorship applications generally takes about a year. It typically takes a year to process your case, but it can take longer depending on the specifics.
An immigration officer may delay your application if your situation is challenging or if you need to provide more evidence of your relationship.
In addition to bringing my family member to Canada, what other options do I have?
In the event sponsorship cannot be arranged, your relative may qualify under another Canadian immigration program.
How many relatives am I permitted to sponsor for immigration to Canada?
Any number of qualifying family members may be sponsored by a permanent resident and Canadian citizen. The applicant must, however, submit a separate application for each qualified family member sponsored by him or her.
Bringing a family member to Quebec through sponsorship
It is more up to Quebec to decide who lives there than the federal government. A permanent resident or citizen of Quebec must first receive permission from the Quebec MIFI to sponsor a member of their eligible family. Applicants residing in Quebec must submit a sponsorship undertaking to MIFI for approval.
Checking the background of Canadian sponsors
All adults over 18 applying for permanent residency must present a Police Clearance Certificate to prove that they are not prohibited from entering Canada owing to criminal convictions.
Biometrics for Canadian sponsorship
Biometric data is required from most immigrants to Canada. You can find out if you must submit your biometrics using Canada’s online service. Once you have paid the biometric fee, IRCC will send you a letter containing instructions on how to submit your biometrics.
Medical examination for Canadian sponsorship
It is required that all applicants for permanent residency in Canada be examined by a doctor in order to determine if they are medically qualified.
Your medical exam does not have to be included with your application. Upon receiving your sponsorship application, IRCC will provide you with information on performing your medical exam.
How can I learn what is happening with my sponsorship application?
When you have submitted your application for dependent children, spousal sponsorship, or common law sponsorship, you can check the status of the application.
The status of the family member you are sponsoring will depend on how your application was submitted, as well as whether the application was submitted online or by mail.
Canadian sponsorship applications – What is its deadline?
Canadian citizens or permanent residents have the option to sponsor their spouse or child at any time. However, applicants who wish to sponsor their parents or grandparents must submit their application before the specified deadline.
My sibling wants to immigrate to Canada; is it possible to do?
You have to take on a lot of challenges in order to sponsor your sister to become Canada’s citizen or permanent resident. Applicants for parental sponsorship can only include their siblings as dependents if they are eligible as “Lonely Canadians.”.
My fiancé wants to visit Canada; can I sponsor him/her?
Citizens of Canada and permanent residents are not eligible to sponsor their fiancé’s immigration. Spousal sponsorship is only available to persons who are married. Alternately, you could sponsor the immigration of your fiancé if they meet the common-law partner requirements.
Am I able to sponsor my girlfriend or boyfriend to immigrate to Canada?
Sponsoring your partner’s immigration in Canada isn’t possible. Marriage or common-law partnership is required to sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend for immigration to Canada.
Applicants can sponsor their domestic partners under certain conditions if they are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Am I able to sponsor my friend to immigrate to Canada?
Sponsorship of a buddy is not available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Depending on their interest in moving to Canada, your buddy might qualify under another immigration program.
Sponsorship – What is its maximum age?
Sponsorship of a family member is only available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older. Sponsorship can be provided to individuals of any age who wish to immigrate to Canada.
When their inland spousal sponsorship application is being processed, is my spouse or common-law partner allowed to work in Canada?
Whenever you live in Canada with your spouse or common-law partner and they have a valid work permit, you are both eligible to work continuously together. If individuals hold a valid student or visitor visa, they may be able to apply for an OWP – (open work permit) while their application is in the process.
