Family Sponsorship Program

What is Family Sponsorship Canada?

Family sponsorship in Canada is a program that allows eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor close family members for Canadian immigration. This initiative encourages family reunification, a fundamental aspect of the Canadian immigration policy. The program is a potent testament to the country’s commitment to keeping families together, reinforcing the social fabric while boosting the economy through increased population growth and diversity.

This program, anchored by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is an opportunity for many to reunite with their loved ones and start a new chapter in their lives in Canada. However, the family sponsorship Canada program is not without its complexities. Understanding the program’s intricacies can be daunting, given the numerous requirements and procedures involved. But the reward – being together with your family in one of the world’s most welcoming countries – is immeasurable.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

One of the core aspects of family sponsorship Canada is determining who can be sponsored. Under Canadian immigration law, you can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 and a Canadian citizen or person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada.

The list of eligible relatives includes:

• your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner,
• your dependent child and any dependent children they may have.
• Parents, grandparents, and their dependent children
• your brother or sister,
• nephew or niece, or
• a grandchild who is orphaned, under 18 years of age, unmarried, or in a common-law relationship.

To be eligible for sponsorship, you must have the following:

• Completed all application forms
• Provided all required documentation, including:
  • medical exams
  • biometrics
• Be admissible to Canada.
  • Learn more about what could cause you to be deemed inadmissible to Canada.

It’s important to note that each category of relatives has specific requirements and conditions that must be met, both by the sponsor and the sponsored person. Understanding these requirements is the first step in the family sponsorship process.

Canada Family Sponsorship Programs

Canada has a variety of family sponsorship programs, each designed to cater to different categories of family members. These programs include:

• Partner/Spouse Sponsorship Canada,
• Dependent Child Sponsorship,
• Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship,
• Adopted Child Sponsorship,
• Relative Sponsorship, and
• the Canada Super Visa.

Partner/Spouse Sponsorship Canada

The Partner/Spouse Sponsorship Canada program is designed to help Canadian citizens or permanent residents bring their foreign spouse or partner to live with them in Canada. This program is a part of the broader family sponsorship Canada initiative and is one of the most popular immigration pathways in the country. The Canadian government defines spouse, common-law partner, and conjugal partner as follows: 

Your spouse can be either sex and must be:

• legally married to you
• at least 18

Your common-law partner:

• cannot be legally married to you
• can be either sex
• must be at least 18
• has been living with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, without any long periods apart

Any time spent away from each other should have been:

• short
• temporary

If you or your common-law partner choose to end the relationship, the Canadian government considers the relationship over.
You must prove your common-law relationship.

Your conjugal partner:

• isn’t legally married to you or in a common-law relationship with you
• can be either sex
• is at least 18
• has been in a relationship with you for at least one year
• lives outside Canada
• can’t live with you in their country of residence or marry you because of significant legal and immigration reasons, such as
  • their marital status (for example, they’re still married to someone else in a country where divorce isn’t possible)
  • their sexual orientation (for example, you are in a same-sex relationship, and same-sex relationships are not accepted, or same-sex marriage is illegal where they live),
  • persecution (for example, your relationship is between different religious groups which is not accepted and they may be punished legally or socially)

You must prove that you could not live together or get married in your conjugal partner’s country (for example, proof of refused long-term stays in each other’s country).

Dependent Child Sponsorship

The Dependent Child Sponsorship program enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children for immigration to Canada. The child must be:

• under 22 and
• not have a spouse or common-law partner.

Children 22 years or older qualify if:

• they have depended substantially on their parent’s financial support since before the age of 22, and
• cannot support themselves due to a physical or mental condition.

If you qualify as a dependent child, you can be sponsored by your parent/s provided they fulfill the following criteria:

• Your parent:
  • If your parents are Canadian citizens, you may also be, even if you were not born in Canada. You cannot be sponsored for permanent residence as a Canadian citizen.
  • If your parent only sponsors you, without sponsoring their spouse or partner, you will be the principal applicant.
    • Your sponsoring parent must show that your other parent or legal guardian agrees to you immigrating to Canada.
  • You can include your children as dependents in the application if you have children.
  • If you’re an adopted child or an orphaned family member, follow the instructions to sponsor your adopted child or orphaned family member instead.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and processes for sponsorship may vary, so it’s recommended to refer to the official government resources for detailed information and instructions.

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program is another significant element of the Canada family sponsorship initiative. This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for immigration to Canada, provided they fulfill the following requirements:

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Pass medical, criminal, and background checks.
• Provide proof of relationship to the sponsor.
• Agree to undergo an immigration medical examination.
• Provide police certificates from all countries where they have lived for over six months since turning 18.
• Meet other admissibility requirements under Canada’s immigration law.

It is an excellent opportunity for family reunification and enables elderly family members to enjoy the benefits of living in Canada.

Adopted Child Sponsorship

The Adopted Child Sponsorship program is for Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have adopted a child from abroad and wish to bring them to Canada. The child must be under 18 when the sponsorship application is submitted, and the adoption must:

• Be legal in the original country
• Meet the requirements of the province or territory where the sponsor lives
• End the legal bond between the biological parents and the adopted child
• Result in a parent-child relationship between the sponsor and the child
• Be in the child’s best interest

Relative Sponsorship

The Relative Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada. This includes siblings, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren under 18, unmarried and orphaned.

The Canada Super Visa

The Canada Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows the holders to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time, unlike a standard visitor visa which only allows six months per visit. Most family sponsorship programs have seasons and are open and closed when the Canadian government has either cleared the application backlog or can approve new applications. If you want to stay with your family until that happens, the best way is with a Super Visa.

The Family Sponsorship Application Process

The family sponsorship Canada application process is comprehensive and involves several steps.

Step 1: Apply to Sponsor

The initial step in the process is for the Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply to become a sponsor. This involves completing an application package, which includes various forms and supporting documents.

Step 2: Apply to Be Sponsored

Concurrently with the sponsor’s application, the sponsored person must also apply for permanent residence. This also involves completing an application package with the necessary forms and documents. The documents are as follows:

• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
• Supplementary Information – Your travels (IMM 5562)

Step 3: Pay Your Application Fees

Family Sponsorship Canada program application fees must be paid online. These fees include processing fees for the sponsor and the sponsored person, the right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics fees, if applicable. The fees are as follows:

Step 4: Submit Additional Information

In some instances, additional information or documents may be requested by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It’s crucial to provide this information promptly to avoid delays in processing.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

The last step is to submit your application. Ensuring all the information is accurate and all the required documents are included is crucial to avoid delays or rejection.

FAQs

Can You Sponsor Step Children on the Family Sponsorship Program?

Yes, you can sponsor stepchildren on the Family Sponsorship Program. The stepchild must be under 18, unmarried, and not a part of a common-law or conjugal relationship. The sponsor must demonstrate that they have had legal custody of the child for two years before applying. Furthermore, Canadian immigration laws require that the sponsor provide proof of financial support for the sponsored family member throughout their stay in Canada. This includes providing enough money to cover their basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Can You Sponsor Your Partner if You Aren’t Married?

Yes, you can sponsor your partner even if you are not married. To do so, the sponsor must demonstrate that they have been in a conjugal relationship with the sponsored person for at least one year before applying. The sponsor must also provide evidence of their financial ability to support their partners in Canada, such as proof of income or assets. Furthermore, sponsors must meet certain requirements, such as being over 18 and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It is also important to note that same-sex couples are eligible for the family sponsorship Canada program.