Family Sponsorship
Bring your family members from abroad to live with you in Canada as Permanent Residents.
Sponsorship
As a nation with a commitment to family reunification and keeping loved ones together, Canada offers a number of immigration programs that give Canadians the opportunity to sponsor their family members to Canada.
One of the most popular streams of Canadian immigration, family sponsorship programs make it easy for citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouse and immediate family members to Canada with reduced processing times, because Canada knows that family should never be put on hold.
Table of Contents
Spouse or Common-Law Partner SponsorshipsChild or Other Dependant SponsorshipParent or Grandparent Sponsorship
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Sponsorships
Take advantage of an accelerated 12-month processing period by sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence, whether they are living in Canada with a valid, temporary visa, or residing abroad. Applicants who are living in Canada may also qualify for an open work permit, giving couples the chance to relieve some of their financial burdens.
A spousal open work permit gives sponsored individuals the ability to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. Since Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, you may be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship if you and your partner are not married but have been living together for a period of at least one year.
Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship
If you are immigrating to Canada, you can choose to include your children as accompanying dependents on your application for permanent residence. However, if you choose not to include them, or are otherwise unable to do so, they may still be able to join you in Canada later. Canada’s child sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence, as long as they are unmarried and have no children of their own.
Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship
Canada’s commitment to family reunification extends to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents through the parent and grandparent sponsorship program. In order to sponsor a parent or grandparent, citizens and permanent residents will be required to demonstrate that they can financially support their family by meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit. They must also agree to financially support their sponsored family members, if needed. Sponsors who are unable to permanently support their parent or grandparent may be eligible for a Super Visa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Family Sponsorship
Bring your family members from abroad to live with you in Canada as Permanent Residents.
Our Legal Superheros
A good legal advisor provides quality services without putting pressure on you.
3000+
Cases handeled and successfully helped the clients to immigrate to Canada and other countries
90%
Cases handeled and successfully helped the clients to immigrate to Canada and other countries
Shalin Veer
IMMIGRATION LAWYER
5+ years
Cases handeled and successfully helped the clients to immigrate to Canada and other countries
4k +
Cases handeled and successfully helped the clients to immigrate to Canada and other countries
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes you're just looking for reassurance, or you're curious about what it would be like to experiment with a service before you make a decision. These FAQs will help you with those questions:
- What is Canadian family sponsorship?
- There are two main aspects to sponsorship: 1) It allows your family member to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence (PR). 2) It requires you, as an individual, to make a commitment to provide for basic needs and to support that person financially.
- Who can be included in the sponsored person's application for a Canada immigration visa?
- Under family sponsorship programs, the following individuals can be included in the sponsored person's application for a Canada immigration visa: The spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner of the sponsored person The dependent children of the sponsored person The dependent children of the sponsored person's spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner The dependent children of the sponsored person's dependent children The dependent children of the sponsored person's spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner's children.
- How much money do I need to sponsor a family member in Canada?
- The income required will vary depending on the type of sponsorship you undertake and the number of family members you already have in your care. You will be required to sign a promise to provide for the basic needs of the family member you are sponsoring. Some sponsorship options will also require you to demonstrate that you have a minimum income in order to be eligible to sponsor. This is for instance the case with the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program. You must exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for each of the past 3 taxation years before the date that you submit your application. Your MNI is assessed based on your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment. Sponsors living in the province of Quebec must meet different income requirements.
- What does "basic needs" mean?
- The sponsor must undertake to provide the sponsored family members with: food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities of life dental and eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The obligation to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s) will only arise if the sponsored person(s) are unable to provide for these needs on their own.
- Can the undertaking to provide "Essential Needs" be shared?
- Yes, the undertaking to provide "Essential Needs" can be shared by a co-signer, but only by the sponsor's spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner.
- As a sponsor, what are my "obligations"?
- You and your co-signer, if applicable, are required to sign an undertaking with the Government of Canada, and if you live in Quebec with the government of that province, promising to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored person(s) for a period of time following the arrival of the sponsored person(s) in Canada. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that sponsored family members do not become dependent on Canadian social assistance or welfare.
- Can the undertaking be revoked or modified?
- The undertaking, once made, cannot be cancelled or modified by the sponsor at any time after the Sponsored family members have arrived in Canada.
- What if the sponsor does not fulfill the terms of the undertaking?
- Failure to meet any of the commitments provided for in the undertaking may result in legal action being taken against the sponsor and the co-signer.
- What if the sponsor does not have the requisite financial ability?
- If the sponsor does not have the required financial ability, the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner of the sponsor may act as a co-signer to the undertaking. In such case, their combined financial abilities will be assessed, and the co-signer will be equally liable in case of default. If the combined financial abilities of the sponsor and the co-signer still do not meet the minimum requirements, then the Family Sponsorship Application will be refused. The financial ability requirements do not apply if the sponsored person is a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner or a dependent child of the sponsor.
- Are there any other agreements that the sponsor must enter into?
- The sponsor is obliged to enter into a sponsorship Agreement with the sponsored person(s). By signing this agreement, the sponsor agrees to provide for the "Essential needs" of the sponsored person(s), and the sponsored person(s) promise to make every effort to become self-supporting.
Got any Question ?
