SPONSOR YOUR FAMILY

Family reunification is one of the pillars of Family immigration to Canada, and family class sponsorship programs fulfil this purpose. There are special requirements for both the sponsor and the person who is sponsored.

There are two main aspects to sponsorship for Family Immigration to Canada:

          1) It allows your family member to move to Canada and obtain permanent residence (PR).

          2) It requires that you, as an individual, commit to providing for the basic needs of that person and supporting them financially.

Can I be a sponsor?

To sponsor a family member to move to Canada, you need to meet various requirements, such as being:

  ∎ a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act

  ∎ 18 years or older

  ∎ able to financially support the person being sponsored for the length of the undertaking

Who can I sponsor?

  ∎ Spouses and common-law partners

  ∎ Dependent children

  ∎ Parents and grandparents

However, there are exceptions to this rule, and it may be possible to sponsor a non-immediate family member in certain circumstances under a family immigration to Canada program. IRCC is not currently accepting new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents.

As a sponsor, you need to sign a Sponsorship Agreement with your sponsored family member. This is your commitment to providing financial support for the basic needs (clothing, shelter, food, and health needs not covered by public health services) of the family member being sponsored.

In most cases there is no minimum income requirement to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child. You will need to meet an income test based on the Low Income Cut-off (LICO), for example, if you are:

  ∎ Sponsoring a spouse or partner who has a dependent child and that child has one or more children of his or her own, or

  ∎ Sponsoring a dependent child with one or more dependent children of his or her own, or

  ∎ Sponsoring a parent or grandparent (separate income rules apply).

Canada Spouse Visa

To apply for a Canadian spouse visa for your spouse or conjugal partner both of you must be 18 years or older. Your partner should be a member of the family class; otherwise, you will not be able to sponsor him or her. You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Indian Act to sponsor your spouse. If you qualify, you can sponsor your spouse or partner to obtain a Canadian Spouse Visa and become a permanent resident of Canada.

You will need to sign an “undertaking”, a binding promise to support the family member you are sponsoring. If that family member receives government social assistance, you will have to pay it back. The length of the undertaking depends on the family member you sponsor (for example, three years for a spouse or partner), and it will not be cancelled even if circumstances change (e.g., if you divorce or separate, if the person you sponsored becomes a Canadian citizen, or if you have financial problems).

At Law Wise, we understand your specific circumstances and provide tailored solutions. We are committed to prompt communication and a professional approach.

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