Family Sponsorship

Family reunification is one of the key objectives of the Canadian immigration system. Canada aims to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023, and family class accounts for the second largest category of newcomers according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-25.

Your family members can join you in Canada as permanent residents, if you are eligible to sponsor them and if they meet the eligibility criteria to be sponsored.

Who can be a Sponsor?
To be able to sponsor anyone, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen or Permanent resident of Canada
• 18 years of age or above
• Agree in writing to financially support your relative and any other persons accompanying them for several years, depending on the relation.

Who can be sponsored?
Only the following relatives can be sponsored for permanent residence:

• Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
• Dependent child (includes biological and adopted children)
• Parents and grandparents
• Orphaned relatives: orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild; given that you are related by blood or adoption, none of their parents are alive, they are below 18 years, and they are single.
• Other relatives: a person who does not have any other living relative that could be sponsored as those listed above, nor any relative in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, can sponsor any relative, of any age, related by blood or adoption.

Sponsorship Undertaking:
All sponsors are required to sign an undertaking which makes them legally responsible for the sponsored family member. The undertaking is a binding contract between the sponsor and the IRCC, that the sponsor will repay the government in case any social assistance is needed by the sponsored person.

The sponsor is required to financially provide for all basic needs of the sponsored person, from the day they land in Canada as a permanent resident, till the day the undertaking term ends. Even if there is a change in circumstances, such as a divorce or separation, the undertaking is binding and sponsor is obligated for the duration of the contact.
The length of undertaking depends on your relations with the sponsored person.

Spouse and Common-law Sponsorship:
The length of undertaking for sponsoring a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner is 3 years. You need to apply under one of two classes, depending on your situation.

• Family Class
• Spouse or Common-Law Partner In- Canada Class

There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring your spouse/common-law partner or dependent children.

Spousal applications require the most time and documentation. IRCC is very strict regarding sponsorship under this category, to ensure marriage has not taken place for immigration purpose only, and is in fact genuine. Several proofs have to be submitted, in addition to numerous application forms.
Our team is expert in handling such cases. If you need assistance with your spousal sponsorship application, book a free consultation today!

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP):
The PGP program works by way of a yearly draw. To sponsor your parents or grandparents, you need to submit an Interest to Sponsor form. IRCC randomly selects and invites persons from the pool of potential sponsors, to sponsor their parents/grandparents. Only then can one apply.
Sponsors must provide the Notice of Assessment from the CRA for the last three tax years, to show they meet the minimum necessary income requirement.
The length of undertaking for parents and grandparents is 20 years.
As parental sponsorship is based on random selection, involves lengthy wait time and stringent minimum income requirements, many Canadians invite their parents to Canada through Super visa.

Super Visa:
This is a 10-year multiple entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. With Super visa, you can come and stay in Canada with your children or grandchildren for up to 5 years at a time.

1. To be eligible for a super visa, you must:
   be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
2. have a signed letter from your child or grandchild who invites you to Canada that includes: a promise of financial support for the length of your visit, the list and number of people in the household of this person, a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document
3. have private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company providing $100,000 emergency coverage.

The minimum income requirement is less rigid than the parental sponsorship program and requires income proof for only the most recent tax year.
Super visa is a great option for those who want their parents or grandparents to join them in Canada for an extended period of time, but do not qualify for parental sponsorship.

Book a free consultation with our licensed consultants for more details and assistance in sponsoring your family.