How to Apply for a Canada Family Sponsorship Visa

Learn how to Apply for a Canada Family Sponsorship Visa. There is good news for those wishing to sponsor their family members to come to Canada. Every year, Canada welcomes over 100,000 immigrants through family sponsorship. Come along with us as we take you through Canada visa family sponsorship requirements.

Also covered here are

• Overview of Canadian Immigration Family Sponsorship
• How to Apply for Family Sponsorship
• Sponsor your Wife, Husband, or Common-law Partner
• Sponsor your Dependent Children, Parents, and Grandparents
• Canada family sponsorship visa application guidelines,
• How to be eligible to sponsor a family member,
• How many relatives can I sponsor to Canada? etc.
• Frequently Asked Questions, etc.

As a country committed to family reunification and keeping loved ones together, Canada has a number of immigration programs that allow Canadians to sponsor family members to come to Canada.

More so, IRCC (formerly CIC) accepts approximately 80% of these immigrants through the Spouses, Partners, and Children Program, and the remaining 20% through the Parents and Grandparents Program.

This detailed CanadaVisa page explains how to sponsor your family for immigration to Canada.

READ: Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines for Canada

Overview of Family Sponsorship in Canadian Immigration

One of the pillars of Canada’s immigration system is family reunification. Since the end of World War II, Canada has sought to welcome immigrants in order to strengthen its economy, reunite families, and for humanitarian and compassionate reasons.

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The family class is Canada’s second largest category of newcomers under its Immigration Levels Plan. To support its post-COVID economic recovery, Canada is pursuing the highest levels of immigration in its history. As a result, Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants per year, with over 100,000 falling into the family class.

The Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC for short, oversees the country’s immigration system. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC for short, was the previous name for the department. The IRCC creates and manages Canada’s family sponsorship program.

Establishing program criteria, accepting and reviewing family sponsorship applications, and issuing permanent and temporary resident visas are all part of the job.

What is Canadian family sponsorship?

• It enables a member of your family to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residence (PR).
• It requires you, as an individual, to commit to meeting basic needs and financially supporting that person.

What is Family Sponsorship Visa?

Canada has sponsorship programs for permanent residents and citizens who want to bring their loved ones to Canada. These programs allow certain family members to become permanent residents of Canada.

One of the most popular streams of Canadian immigration, family sponsorship programs make it simple for citizens and permanent residents to bring their spouses and immediate family members to Canada.

This visa sponsorship program comes with reduced processing times because Canada understands that families should never be put on hold.

Who can sponsor (Family Sponsorship) Someone To Come to Canada?

If your relatives become permanent residents of Canada, they will be able to live, study, and work in the country. If you’re over the age of 18 and a:

• Canadian citizen or
• permanent resident of Canada or
• a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act

Can I sponsor someone to come to Canada? Canada visa family sponsorship

Conjugal Partner, Common-law Partner, or Spouse

You may be able to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for Canadian permanent residence, regardless of whether they are in Canada on a valid temporary visa or living abroad.

Applicants who are already in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing couples to alleviate some of their financial burdens.

A spousal open work permit allows sponsored persons to work in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. Because Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, if you and your partner are not married but have been living together for at least a year, you may be eligible to apply for spousal sponsorship.

Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship – Canada visa family sponsorship

Through the parent and grandparent sponsorship program, Canada extends its commitment to family reunification to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Citizens and permanent residents must demonstrate financial support for their family by meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit in order to sponsor a parent or grandparent.

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They must also agree to support their sponsored family members financially if necessary. Sponsors who are unable to provide permanent support for their parent or grandparent may be eligible for a Super Visa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa for Canadian citizens and permanent residents’ parents and grandparents.

Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship – Canada visa family sponsorship Requirements

You can include your children as accompanying dependents on your application for permanent residence if you are immigrating to Canada. If you choose not to include them or are unable to do so, they may be able to join you in Canada later.

The child sponsorship program in Canada allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their biological or adopted children under the age of 22 for permanent residence if they are unmarried and have no children of their own.

A child over the age of 22 may be considered a dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that makes it impossible for them to support themselves.

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Orphaned Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, or Grandchild

In some cases, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be able to sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild to immigrate to Canada. To be eligible for sponsorship, your orphaned relative must be unmarried, under the age of 18, and related to you by blood or adoption.

Other relatives (under Exceptional Circumstances as a “Lonely Canadian”)

In exceptional cases, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents may be able to sponsor one extended relative to come to Canada. Sponsors must be considered a “Lonely Canadian” to sponsor a relative who does not fit into Canada’s current Family Class definition.

This implies that the sponsor does not have a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent.

How To Be Eligible to Sponsor a Family Member

To sponsor a family member, you must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Eligible sponsors must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• be at least 18 years old
• live in Canada or intend to return to Canada once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident
• be able and willing to meet your family member’s basic financial needs for three years

Who is Not Eligible to Sponsor a Relative?

In some cases, a permanent resident or citizen is ineligible to sponsor. If any of the following scenarios apply, a sponsor may be ineligible:

• are currently in prison
• have failed to make alimony or child support payments
• have declared bankruptcy and are still being held
• received social security benefits for reasons other than disability
• failed to repay an immigration loan, made late or missed payments
• have previously sponsored another relative and failed to meet the sponsorship agreement’s terms
• Depending on the facts of the case, you may have been convicted of a violent crime, an offense against a relative, or a sexual offense.

How Much Does it Cost to Sponsor a Family Member To Canada?

A $150 payment will be required for each child included in the application if you are sponsoring your spouse and they have dependent children, or if you are sponsoring your adopted child.

If you include your relative’s spouse or partner, an additional $1,050 is required. The following are the government processing fees for sponsoring a relative in Canada.

1. Sponsorship fee: $75
2. Principal applicant processing fee: $475
3. Right of permanent residence fee: $500
4. Biometrics: $85
5. Total: $1135

If the sponsor lives in or intends to live in Quebec after receiving permanent residence, a fee of $289 CAD must be paid in addition to the fees listed above. Canada Sponsorship Visa

Income Requirement for Canada visa family sponsorship

Some sponsorship applications have minimum income requirements, such as parents, grandparents, eligible orphaned relatives, or those eligible under the “lonely Canadian” policy.

These sponsors must have the required Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit and provide Canada Revenue Agency-issued Notices of Assessment (NOA) as proof that they have met the required MNI for at least three consecutive years.

Canada Visa Family Sponsorship Requirements

Unlike most other types of Canadian sponsorship, there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse. However, whenever you sponsor a family member to come to Canada, you must sign an undertaking promising to provide financial support for your sponsored family member’s basic needs.

This undertaking is required for all sponsorship applications and recognizes a sponsor’s promise to repay social assistance benefits received by the sponsor and their family member(s) over a 20-year period. If the sponsor resides in Quebec, a supplementary undertaking must be signed.

The duration of the project is determined by the type of sponsorship. The duration of the undertaking for spousal sponsorship (including spouses and common-law or conjugal partners) is three years from the day the sponsored individual becomes a Canadian permanent resident.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents who sponsor their dependent children are exempt from meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), as long as their dependent child does not have any children of their own. If the sponsored dependent child has dependent children of their own, the sponsor must meet the MNI for their family unit size.

Do I Need a Job to Sponsor a Family Member?

Applicants must meet MNI requirements in order to sponsor a family member other than a spouse or partner. While a job is not required, sponsors must provide proof of sufficient income from the previous three years to support their sponsored family members. Family Sponsorship Visa to Canada!

How Long Does Visa Sponsorship Take?

From start to finish, visa sponsorship applications take about a year to process. They are typically processed within 12 months, but depending on the nature of your case, it may take longer.

Your application may be delayed if you have a complicated case or the visa officer requires additional proof of your relationship.

Read also: Canada Visa Requirements And Application Guidelines

The best way to ensure that your sponsorship application is processed as quickly as possible is to do it correctly the first time. Canadim’s lawyers and legal professionals have assisted thousands of spousal sponsorship candidates.

What Other Options do I have for Bringing a Member of my Family to Canada?

If sponsorship is not an option, your relative may be able to enter Canada through another immigration program. Take our free online assessment today to learn about your immigration options or those of your family members.

How Many Family Members can I Sponsor to Canada?

A Canadian permanent resident or citizen can sponsor an unlimited number of eligible family members. Applicants must, however, submit separate applications for each eligible family member being sponsored.

Sponsoring a Family Member in Quebec

The federal government gives Quebec more leeway in deciding who will live there. As a result, permanent residents or citizens in Quebec must first apply to the Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation, et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for permission to sponsor an eligible family member.

MIFI is in charge of approving sponsorship agreements for sponsors residing in Quebec.

Canadian Sponsorship Background Check

Individuals over the age of 18 who apply for permanent residence in Canada must provide a Police Clearance Certificate to prove they are not criminally inadmissible.

Applicants must obtain police clearances from all countries where they have lived for at least 6 months since the age of 18.

Canadian sponsorship biometrics – Canada visa family sponsorship Requirements

Most immigration applicants in Canada are required to provide biometrics. To find out if you need to provide biometrics, use Canada’s online tool.

After submitting your application and paying your biometric fee, you will receive a letter from IRCC with instructions on how to provide your biometrics.

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Canadian Sponsorship Medical Exam -Canada visa family sponsorship Requirements

Individuals applying for permanent residence in Canada must pass a medical exam to ensure they are not medically inadmissible.

Your medical exam does not need to be submitted with your application. Following the submission of your sponsorship application, IRCC will send you instructions on how to complete your medical exam.

The medical exam must be performed by a doctor on the IRCC’s panel physician list.

How To Check the Status of Sponsorship Application

If you applied for spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship, you can check the status of your application through Canada’s Permanent Residence Application Tracker.

However, if you are sponsoring another family member, how you check your application status will depend on whether you submitted your application online or by mail. Learn more about how to check the status of your sponsorship application by using IRCC’s online tool.

Is there a Deadline for Canadian Visa Family Sponsorship Applications?

No. Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply to sponsor their spouse or child at any time.

Candidates who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents must be invited to do so and must apply by the deadline.

Can I sponsor my brother or sister to visit Canada?

Sponsoring your sibling to come to Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is very difficult. This is only possible if you meet the criteria for “Lonely Canadian” status or if your siblings can be listed as dependents on your parental sponsorship application.

Can I Sponsor My Fiance to Come to Canada?

Canada does not allow Canadian permanent residents or citizens to sponsor their fiancée’s entry into the country. To apply under the spousal sponsorship category, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must marry.

Alternatively, if your fiancé qualifies as a common-law partner, you may be able to sponsor them to come to Canada.

Can I Sponsor My Boyfriend/Girlfriend to Come to Canada?

There is no program in Canada that will sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada. To sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend to come to Canada, you must be common-law partners or married.

Canadian permanent residents and citizens may be able to sponsor their conjugal partner in certain circumstances.

Can I sponsor My  Friend to Come to Canada? Canada Family Sponsorship Visa

There is no program in Canada that allows a permanent resident or citizen to sponsor a friend.

If your friend wishes to immigrate to Canada, he or she may be eligible under another immigration program.

Is there an Age Limit for Visa Sponsorship in Canada?

Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old to sponsor a family member. There is no upper age limit for sponsoring a family member to immigrate to Canada.

Can my spouse or common-law partner work in Canada while their application for inland spousal sponsorship is being processed?

If your spouse or common-law partner is in Canada and has a valid work permit, they may continue to work until their visa expires. If they have a valid study or visitor visa and are in Canada, they may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work while their application is being processed.

I’m adopting a child. Is it necessary to wait until the adoption is finalized before beginning the sponsorship process?

No. If the adoption is nearing completion, you can begin sponsorship.

What Exactly is a Sponsorship Undertaking?

You will be asked to sign an “undertaking” in which you agree to be legally responsible for the family member you are sponsoring. You will be required to repay this money if that family member requires government social assistance.

The undertaking will remain in effect for the duration specified by the family member you are sponsoring and will not be terminated even if circumstances change.

The length of the agreement you must sign will be determined by the family member you are sponsoring and, in the case of children, their age.

How to Apply for Family Sponsorship Visa

• Make sure you are eligible to be a sponsor.
• Make sure the relatives you want to sponsor meet the eligibility requirements.
• Apply to the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the federal level and, if you are a Quebec resident, to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration at the provincial level (MIFI). You must submit your sponsorship application along with the applications for permanent residence (PR) status of your family members or relatives. Your PR application will be reviewed after you have been determined to be eligible to sponsor.
• You must pay the application fee for family sponsorship.
• Deliver your application to the appropriate address. This information can be found in the sponsorship guide, which is available for download on the government website.

How Do Apply For Family Sponsorship: Canada visa family sponsorship Requirements

To apply to sponsor a relative, complete the following steps:

• Download the application package from the government’s website, read the instruction manual, and fill out the forms.
• Make your application fee payment (including processing fees, biometrics and third-party fees).
• Send your application to the address listed in the application guide.

Do you want to come to Canada or Extend Your stay longer?

Find out if you are eligible to apply.

Do you want to work, study, visit, travel through, or live permanently in Canada?

Answer a few questions to learn about the various immigration programs available to you. Each immigration program has different application and eligibility requirements. The form should take you about 10-15 minutes to complete.

You may be asked questions about your:

1. nationality
2. age
3. language ability
4. family members
5. education
6. work experience
7. income and/or net worth
8. details on any job offer

We will tell you which programs you may be eligible for based on your answers, so please be as accurate as possible.

If you are eligible, we will provide you with detailed instructions on what to do next.

Important: This information is provided for reference purposes only; no immigration decisions will be made based on your responses. If you decide to apply, your application will be reviewed by an immigration officer in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, regardless of the results of this questionnaire.

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