Canada Family Sponsorship Visa
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Canada’s Family Sponsorship Visa allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to settle in Canada. If you have family who is living in Canada, then you are eligible to be sponsored for a Canada PR visa through the Family Sponsorship Program.
Whether you are a spouse, parent, dependent child, or even a grandparent, you can apply for it. This program promotes “Family Reunification” under Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship, Canada (IRCC).
What is the Canada Family Sponsorship Program?
The Canada Family Sponsorship Program is an Immigration initiative designed to unite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close family members. It is an immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens to sponsor their eligible family members for permanent residency. Whether for work, life, etc. It reunites families and enables them to live together in Canada and enjoy a country’s high-quality of life, healthcare, and social benefits.
You are ready to sponsor your relative to immigrate to Canada under the family category if you are at least 18 years old. Let’s know about the key features of the program-
- Sponsorship by Canadian People: You must be a citizen or PR holder to sponsor.
- Permanent Residence: Sponsored family members achieve PR status, allowing them to live, work and study in Canada.
- Financial Responsibility: Sponsors must meet income requirements to support their family members.
- Many Family Categories: You can sponsor your spouse, children, parents, grandparents and in some cases, other relatives.
- Professional Meetings (Limited): Some countries allow brief business discussion but not employment.
Benefits of the Family Sponsorship Program
The Canadian family sponsorship program provides life-changing benefits for both sponsors and their loved ones. Here is a list of benefits of the family sponsorship program-
- Sponsored family members get permanent residence status. It allows them to live, work and study anywhere in Canada.
- Family member sponsors under this category are not required to clear any kind of points. They are directly eligible for PR.
- Sponsored family members can access the universal healthcare system. They ensure medical coverage.
- Children of sponsored families have access to free public education up to secondary school. They get access to education till 18 years of age.
- Eligible for various social programs, like Canada Pension Plans, Old-Age Security, Employment Insurance, and many more.
- After residency requirements, sponsored people can apply for Canadian citizenship. It opens a pathway to citizenship.
- This program keeps families together and enhances newcomers' emotional well-being and social integration.
Who Can Be Sponsored Under the Family Class?
The Canada family sponsorship program allows citizens and permanent residents to bring a specific relative to live permanently in Canada. Below is the list of eligible family members who can be sponsored under this program-
1. Spouse or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
A spouse who is legally married to the sponsor and at least 18 years old. In addition, a common law partner who is not legally married, but has lived with sponsored for at least 12 months.
2. Dependent Children Sponsorship
Biological or adopted children under 22 years old and unmarried can be sponsored children. Over 22 may qualify if they have physical/mental disability or rely on parental support. Means they are dependent on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22.
3. Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
Biological or adoptive parents of the sponsor can be sponsored. Sponsors must meet specific income requirements for it.
4. Who cannot sponsor
- Extended family, like cousins, uncle, auntie, and in-laws.
- The spouse and partner are already living in Canada illegally.
- A family member is inadmissible due to criminality, security risks or misrepresentation.
If you’re unsure whether your relative qualifies for sponsorship, connect with our certified Canada visa Consultants in Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Delhi for a personalized assessment.
Eligibility Requirements to Sponsor Family, Spouse, Partner or Child
To sponsor family members under Canada’s Family Sponsorship Visa program, there are specific eligibility criteria that you need to meet, based on which you want to sponsor. Below are the requirements to sponsor a spouse or partner, a dependent child, and parents or grandparents:
1. Sponsoring a Spouse or Partner
- Age and Status: Your age should be at least 18 years. You should be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act of Canada.
- Residence: Permanent residents should be eligible to sponsor in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you have to display the intention of living in Canada when your sponsored partner becomes a permanent resident.
- Financial Commitment: You should agree to provide for the basic needs of your partner and ensure that they do not require social assistance.
- Income Requirements: Generally, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse or partner. However, if your sponsored partner has children who are dependents, then you have to complete the minimum income limit.
2. Sponsoring a Dependent Child
- Age and Status: Your age should be at least 18 years. You should be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act of Canada.
- Child Eligibility: The child should be under 22 years of age and should not be a spouse or a common-law partner. If the child is 22 years of age or older, he was largely dependent on the financial support of his parents before the age of 22 and should be unable to financially support himself due to a physical or mental condition.
- Financial Commitment: You must be committed to providing the child's basic needs and ensuring they do not require social assistance.
- Income Requirements: Generally, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a dependent child. However, if the dependent child has their own dependent children, you have to complete the minimum income limit.
3. Sponsoring Parents or Grandparents
- Age and Status: Your age should be at least 18 years. You should be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Indian Act of Canada.
- Residence: You should live in Canada. Your primary residential address should be in Canada when you submit your application and until a decision is made.
- Financial Commitment: You must be committed to financially supporting your parents or grandparents and any other eligible relatives, who are made permanent residents within 20 years (for 10 years if you live in Quebec).
- Income Requirements: You have to complete the minimum required income (MNI) for the size of your family unit, including sponsored persons, immediately three tax years before your application for three consecutive years.
Common Ineligibility Factor for All Sponsorship
You cannot be eligible to sponsor if you are-
- Are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary.
- An immigration loan, a demonstration bond, or court-ordered family aid payments, such as alimony or child support, have not been paid.
- In the past, when signing a sponsorship agreement, you did not provide financial assistance.
- Bankruptcy is declared, and they are not discharged.
- Get social aid for reasons other than disability.
- Some criminal offences were convicted.
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Application Process for Family Sponsorship
If you are going to apply for a Family Sponsorship Visa, then here is the step-by-step application process-
- Determine Eligibility: At first, determine whether you are eligible or not from various eligibility criteria.
- Obtain an Invitation to Apply: For sponsoring parents and grandparents, you have to submit an interest to sponsor form within a specific period. These invitations are issued through a selection process.
- Preparing & Submitting Application: At first, complete the sponsorship application to become a sponsor. The sponsored family member also has to complete their permanent residency application and submit it. Make sure to submit both applications in the correct format online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
- Application Fees: Make sure to pay the application fee. You can pay for it online. Your fee includes a processing fee, permanent residency fee, biometric fee, etc.
- Submit Supporting Documents: Make sure to submit all the required documents, like proof of relationship, financial documents, identification, etc. Make sure to submit all the documents accurately and signed electronically.
- Provide Biometric and Additional Information: After submission, the sponsored individual has to submit their biometric, undergo a medical exam, and submit a police certificate. Make sure to follow all the instructions provided by IRCC.
- Application Process: IRCC will process your application. If everything is okay, they will approve the application.
- Prepare for Arrival: Once your application is approved, you can start preparing for the arrival process.
Family Sponsorship Program Fees
The Canadian government requires sponsorship and a family class application processing fee. The following table shows the fees for the family sponsorship program:
Category: Adopted children and other relatives
| Category Adopted children and other relatives |
Fees (CAD) | Details |
| Sponsor Your Relative (22 Years or Older) | 1,205 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85), processing fee ($545), and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
| Sponsor Your Relative (22 Years or Older Without Right of Permanent Residence Fee) | 630 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and principal applicant processing fee ($545). |
| Sponsor or Include a Dependent, Adopted Child, or Orphaned Relative | 170 (per child) | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and processing fee ($85). |
| Sponsor Your Relative (Under 22 Years Old and Not Your Dependent Child) | 745 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85), processing fee ($85), and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
| Sponsor Your Relative (Under 22 Years Old Without Right of Permanent Residence Fee) | 170 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and principal applicant processing fee ($85). |
| Include the Spouse or Partner of Your Relative | 1,210 | Includes processing fee ($635) and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
Category: Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
| Category | Fees (CAD) |
Details |
| Sponsor Your Parent or Grandparent | 1,205 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85), principal applicant processing fee ($545), and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
| Sponsor Your Parent or Grandparent Without Right of Permanent Residence Fee | 630 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and principal applicant processing fee ($545). |
| Include the Spouse or Partner of Your Parent or Grandparent | 1,210 | Includes processing fee ($635) and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
| Include the Spouse or Partner Without Right of Permanent Residence Fee | 635 | Includes only the processing fee. |
| Include a Dependent Child of Your Parent or Grandparent | 175 (per child) | Processing fees for each dependent child are included. |
Spouse, Partner, or Child Sponsorship
| Category | Fees (CAD) |
Details |
| Sponsor Your Spouse or Partner | 1,205 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85), principal applicant processing fee ($545), and right of permanent residence fee ($575). |
| Sponsor Your Spouse or Partner Without Right of Permanent Residence Fee | 630 | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and principal applicant processing fee ($545). |
| Sponsor a Dependent Child | 170 (per child) | Includes sponsorship fee ($85) and processing fee ($85). |
| Include Any Dependent Child on the Application with the Spouse/Partner | 175 (per child) | Processing fees for each dependent child are included. |
How Can JR Immigration Help You with the Canada Family Sponsorship Visa?
JR Immigration Consultants is a leading immigration consultancy firm based in India that offers a broad category of visas and immigration services for individuals interested in studying, working or settling abroad. Here is the list why you should choose us-
- Free Initial Consultation: Review your case to confirm if you meet sponsorship requirements or not, as well as get clear guidance from experts.
- Comprehensive Support: Full support from documentation, form submission, to the approval of a visa.
- Financial and Income Requirement Aid: Get the MNI (minimum required income) calculation if you meet financial obligations.
- Submission and Follow-up: Our expert will handle IRCC portals and mailing, as well as all online/paper application filing.
- Post-Service Support: Prepare your family to get into a pre-reconcile checklist—Canada. PR Card and SIN application guidance at the next stages after approval.
FAQS on Canada Family Sponsorship Visa
Generally, Canada’s family sponsorship program does not allow siblings to sponsor. However, in specific circumstances, such as if you do not have any other immediate family members in Canada and meet some eligibility criteria, you may be able to sponsor a relative.
Canada does not have a specific visa category for a fiancé. To sponsor your partner, you must legally marry or be in a general law or conjugation relationship.
If your sponsorship application has been denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to appeal the decision of the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) within a specified time limit.
While employment can demonstrate financial stability, this is not a strict requirement. However, you have to prove that you have sufficient income or property to support a sponsored family member and, if applicable, to meet the minimum required income requirements.
Processing time varies depending on the type of sponsorship of a sponsored person and the country of the sponsored person’s residence. On average, it may take about 12 months, but it can change based on individual conditions and application perfection.