Introduction
Canada offers a variety of immigration schemes that give citizens the chance to sponsor their families’ immigration to the country since it promotes family reunification and the unity of loved ones.
What is family class sponsorship?
Canada offers a sponsorship program for Canadian citizens who want to take their permanent residents or loved ones to Canada. These programs allow certain families to become permanent residents of Canada. One of the most popular trends for Canadian immigrants, the Family Sponsoring Program, knows that Canada will never put a family on hold. Hence, taking their spouses and direct family to Canada makes it easy for citizens and permanent residents.
Who may I invite to immigrate to Canada?
Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner
Whether you live in Canada or abroad with a valid temporary visa, you may be eligible to sponsor a spouse, loved one, or spouse for permanent residence in Canada. Applicants residing in Canada may also qualify for an Open Work Permit, allowing couples to reduce some of their financial burdens. The Open Spouse Work Permit allows sponsors to work in Canada while the sponsor application is processed. Canada recognizes common-law civil partnership, so if you and your partner are not married but have lived together for at least a year, you may be able to apply for spouse sponsorship.
Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship
If you move to Canada, you can include your child as a family member on your permanent residence application. However, if you choose not to participate or cannot, you may be able to participate later in Canada. The Canadian Child Sponsorship Program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence unless they are unmarried and have children. If a child over 22 has a medical or mental condition that makes it impossible for them to take care of themselves, that child may be called addicted.
Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship
Through parent and grandparent sponsorship programmes, Canada’s dedication to family reunification extends to parents, grandparents, and long-term residents of Canadian citizens. To sponsor a parent or grandparent, citizens and lawful permanent residents must show that they can provide for their family by proving they make the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required for the size of the family unit. You must also be willing to support the sponsored family financially, if necessary. Super-visa, a lengthy, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, may be available to sponsors who cannot continue to assist their parents or grandparents.
Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild
In some cases, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to sponsor orphan siblings, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren to enter Canada. To sponsor your orphan relatives, they must be unmarried, under 18, and have a relationship with you by blood or adoption.
Other relatives
Citizens or permanent residents of Canada may occasionally be able to sponsor orphan nieces, nephews, or grandchildren to immigrate to the country. To sponsor your orphan relatives, they must be unmarried, under 18, and have a relationship with you by blood or adoption.
How can I qualify to sponsor a member of my family?
To sponsor a family, you must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Eligible sponsors must be:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- I plan to return to Canada when I live in Canada, or my spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
- For three years, he has had the ability and willingness to meet the basic financial needs of his family.
What is the price to sponsor a relative in Canada?
If you are sponsoring a spouse and have dependent children, or if you are sponsoring an adopted child, you will be required to pay CAD 150 per child included in the application. An additional CAD 1,050 is required to include a relative’s spouse or partner. The government fees for sponsoring relatives in Canada are:
- Sponsorship fee CAD 75/-
- Principal applicant processing fee CAD 475/-
- Right of permanent residence fee CAD 500/-
- Biometrics: CAD 85/-
- Total: CAD 1135/-
If the sponsor resides in Québec at the time of grant of permanent residence, you will be required to pay a fee of CAD 289 in addition to the above fees.
What is the minimum income needed for sponsoring a Canadian family?
The minimum income requirement applies to several sponsorship applications, including parents, grandparents, qualified orphan relatives, or those eligible under Canada’s lonely policy. These guarantors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) required for the size of the family unit. You must also submit a Notice of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency as proof that you have met the required MNI for at least three consecutive years.
Unlike most other types of Canadian sponsorship, you do not have to provide proof of your minimal income to sponsor your spouse. However, whenever you sponsor a family in Canada, you must sign a pledge that agrees to provide financial support to the basic needs of the sponsoring family. This commitment is required for all sponsorship applications and confirms the sponsor’s commitment to repay the benefits paid to the sponsor and her dependents for 20 years. If the sponsor lives in Québec, you must sign an additional pledge.
The type of funding will determine how long the commitment will last. For spouse sponsorship (including spouse and citizen partner or spouse), the legal entity lasts for three years from the date the sponsored individual becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring a dependent child does not have to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) if the dependent child does not have their child. If the sponsored dependent child has their dependent child, the sponsor must meet the MNI required for the size of the family unit.
| Family Size | Minimum Income (2020) in CAD |
| 2 people | 32,270 |
| 3 people | 39,672 |
| 4 people | 48,167 |
| 5 people | 54,630 |
| 6 people | 61,613 |
| 7 people | 68,598 |
| 7+ per person | 6,985 |
Quebec Minimum Necessary Income for Sponsorship
| Family Size | Minimum Income (2020) in CAD |
| 1 people | 24,600 |
| 2 people | 33,210 |
| 3 people | 41,000 |
| 4 people | 47,160 |
| 5 people | 52,480 |
| 5+ per person | 5,325 |
FAQs
How long does sponsorship take?
Applying for sponsorship takes about 12 months from start to finish. It is usually processed within 12 months, but it may take longer depending on the nature of the case. If there are complicated situations or the immigration officer needs more evidence of your relationship, your application can be delayed. The best way to ensure that your sponsorship request is processed as quickly as possible is to process it correctly from the beginning. Canada’s lawyers and legal experts have helped thousands of potential spouse sponsors.
What other choices do I have for relocating my family to Canada?
Your relatives may be eligible for another Canadian immigration program if sponsorship is unavailable. Get our free online rating today to find immigration options available to you and your family.
How many relatives may I sponsor to immigrate to Canada?
The number of eligible families that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor is unlimited. However, each eligible sponsored family member must have their application, which applicants must submit.
What is Canadian sponsorship biometrics
In Canada, most immigration applicants need to provide biometric information. Use Canada’s online tools to see if you need to provide biometrics. When you submit your application and pay the biometric fee, IRCC will send you a letter with instructions on how to submit your biometric information.
What is Canadian sponsorship medical exam?
Those applying for permanent residence in Canada must undergo a medical examination to ensure they are not ineligible for medical reasons. You do not need to submit a medical examination with your application. When you submit your sponsorship application, the IRCC will send you instructions on performing a health check-up. A doctor on the IRCC’s list of panel doctors (https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx ) should perform the medical examination.
How can I find out the status of my sponsorship application?
If you have applied for spouse sponsorship, common law, or dependent children, you can track your application through the Canadian Permanent Resident Application Tracker Portal (https://prt-srp.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/register ). If you are sponsoring another family member, checking your application status depends on whether your application was submitted online or by mail. Find out more about how to check the status of your sponsorship application using IRCC’s online tools (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-status.html ).
Are applications for Canadian sponsorship subject to a deadline?
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who qualify may submit an application to sponsor a spouse or kid at any time. Candidates must be invited and submit their applications by the deadline to be considered for parental or grandparent sponsorship.