In terms of relocation, Canada is one of the most applied countries in the world. Almost everyone interested in looking for greener pastures outside their country will one time consider Canada.
The country is highly rich in economic activities, giving room for job vacancies and business thriving. Coupled with the good policies, and the legacy of laid down economic profile, one shouldn’t bother about having a new life in Canada. It’s most definitely certain that they’re opportunities for you to explore.
The main hurdle could be traveling to the country. Unlike local travel within your home country, you can’t pack your bags and start moving to Canada No! They’re a series of processes and requirements you’ve to meet.
They’re numerous pathways to Canada, however, on this page, we shall be discussing sponsorship programs. We’ll be discussing virtually everything regarding visa sponsorship to Canada, including the requirements, application, documents needed, and all.
We’ll also take our time to answer some frequently asked questions that may freak you to know. Ensure you pay due attention, and read carefully!
Family sponsorship Canada: All you need to know
Canada values family reunions as much as it values every right of its citizens. You can sponsor your family to Canada, as long as you’re eligible under the sponsorship law.
A family reunion is the second largest immigration pathway in Canada. In 2023, Canada is aiming to welcome up to 106,500 new people under the family class. From this, about 28,500 belong to the parents and grandparents program (PGP), and the remaining 78,000 to spouses, partners, and children.
Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?
Won’t it be wrong to abandon your wife, parents, and children while living in Canada alone? Fair enough, you’re at liberty to sponsor them to Canada to live with you.
Under the Canadian family reunion law, you’re at liberty to sponsor your parents, grandparents, spouses, and children.
However, you’ve to be a citizen, or a permanent resident of Canada to be able to do that. This is independent of where they’re living. Whether they’re living in your home country, abroad, or even as temporary residents in Canada. They following are they;
Your conjugal partner
They’re only allowed to come to Canada after the application has been processed and accepted. Unless he/she is living in Canada as a temporary resident.
Since Canadian law recognizes common law, even if you’re not yet married you can sponsor him/her. Great if your partner is living as a temporary resident, he/she can apply for the Canadian spousal work permit. This visa gives an individual the opportunity to live and work in Canada while their visa is being processed.
Parents & Grandparents
The Canadian family reunion visa policy also provides a section for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The pathway is named “Parent and grandparents sponsorship programs”.
To be able to do this, you must show proof of financial sufficiency to sponsor, and take care of them. Depending on your family unit, the fee differs, however, there’s Minimum Necessary Income (MNI).
You can apply for the Canadian super visa, a multiple entry visa for parents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who do not have the necessary funds to support their family permanently.
Child or Other dependent sponsorship
If you’re moving to Canada, you’re allowed to sponsor your children under the dependent visa, unless you don’t want to, or are not able to. That won’t be a problem either. They can join you later under the child sponsorship program.
This program is only open for your biological and adopted children who are 22 and below. They’ll be able to live with you as permanent residents of Canada as long as they’re unmarried, and have no children of their own.
Note: child who’s suffering from a physical or mental condition may be considered dependent, even if they’re above 22. That’s if there’s clear proof that he/she cannot support himself.
Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild
If you’ve anyone who falls within the above-mentioned categories, you can sponsor them to Canada. However, he/she must be age 18 downward and must be unmarried.
In addition to that, they must be related to you by blood or adoption to be considered eligible. This offer is only available for citizens and permanent residents.
Special cases
A citizen, or permanent resident of Canada may decide to sponsor any member of their extended family. To be eligible, he/she must be lonely and has no spouse, parent, or children living with them in Canada. Meanwhile, this exception is only open for a single sponsorship.
Who is eligible for Canadian family sponsorship?
Not everyone is eligible to apply for this program. To be able to sponsor your family member to Canada, you’re required to meet the following requirements;
- Be a citizen of Canada or a legal permanent resident
- Be 18 years and above
- Live, or plan to return to Canada when your spouse becomes a Canadian permanent resident
- Have the financial sufficiency to support them, upon their arrival in Canada.
Who’s not eligible to sponsor a family
- Convicted of having violent attacks on family members, relatives, or spouse
- If he/she is currently in prison
- Have sponsored a relative before, but failed to meet their ends
- Refused, or failed to pay immigration loan, missed payments, or even make late payments
- Receive any sort of social assistance, which is order than disability
- Refused, or couldn’t pay alimony and, or child support
- Have been economically bankrupt.
How much does it cost to sponsor a family member in Canada?
Apart from the proof of financial sufficiency, which isn’t necessarily done with cash, you’re not required to pay much for sponsorship. Generally, for every dependent child, a payment of $150 is required. For a spouse, partner, or relative, a payment of $1,050 will be required.
With the inclusion of a sponsorship fee of $75, $475 for the principal applicant processing fee, a right of permanent residence fee of $500, and a biometric fee of $85. The total fee sum up to $1135. An additional payment of $289 will be required if your sponsor is going to live in the Quebec province.
How long does it take to sponsor family members to Canada?
Sponsorship application generally depends on how fast you make the process. However, for every application, it takes about 12 months or above for it to process.
Often, applications are delayed due to issues with further investigation and proof. It is advisable to have every document at hand before making the application.
How many relatives can I sponsor in Canada?
There are no limitations for you. You can sponsor as much as you can as long as you’re financially buoyant to support them. However, you must submit a separate application for every person you want to sponsor. The payment and registration will all be afresh.
Take away
There’s no discrimination as to who can sponsor their relatives to Canada, as long as you’re a citizen or permanent resident, it is within your rights. On this page, we’ve “family sponsorship Canada: All you need to know”. If you’re looking forward to sponsoring any of your family, this will help.
Good luck!
