Under Canadian laws, you may sponsor your family members, including your wife/husband, common-law spouse, or conjugal partner, to come and join you under the Family Class. However, it prevents any provision allowing sponsorship of fiancé.
This law changed as of June 2002, and under the new system, you must first be married before sponsoring your spouse.
The same general rules regarding the sponsorship of a spouse also apply to the sponsorship of an orphaned brother or sister who is still a minor. Sponsorship of orphaned brothers and sisters falls under the same general category as sponsorship of nephew or niece, grandson or granddaughter if he or she is an orphan, under 18 years of age, and not married or in a common-law relationship.
Aside from the above, you can sponsor any other person, generally known as the “last remaining family member,” with whom you have a family relationship. If you do not have a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew who is a Canadian citizen, registered Indian or permanent resident, or whom you may sponsor.
Canada Sponsorship Visa Requirements:
To acquire Canada Sponsorship Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Your age must be 18 or above
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
You must take complete responsibility for financially supporting your family member for a minimum of three years.
You must provide a safe and stable home for your family member.
If you are planning or on the verge of sponsoring a family member for a Canada sponsorship visa, seek professional help, as the application process is a bit complicated.
Family Members of Canadians are Eligible to Sponsor:
The family members of Canadians are eligible to sponsor the followings:
Their spouse
Common-law partner
Conjugal partner
Dependent child
Adopted children
Parents
Grandparents
Government Cost:
The Canadian government has set specific costs/fees for each sponsorship participant. It is purely based on their age, gender, health conditions, and priority. If you wish to sponsor any family member, you must pay the required fees accordingly.
The government fees for each sponsorship program vary from category to category. Here’s a highlight of the Canada Family Sponsorship costs:
Spouse/partner Sponsorship Fees start from $1,080
Child Sponsorship Fees start from $150
Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship starts from $1,080
Sponsor an adult (22 years or older) start from $1,080
These numbers are subject to change based on the situation and time. So it’s better you take expert help and thoroughly review the documentation before paying.
How to Apply for Sponsor Visa:
To apply for a sponsor visa in Canada, you must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Have a valid passport
Capable enough to support the person you are sponsoring financially
Ensure a safe and stable home for the person you are sponsoring
Once you have met the necessary criteria, you can apply for a sponsor visa online. The application process includes the following steps:
1. Signup/register on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) portal. 2. Complete the online application form. 3. Pay the application fees. 4. Upload the required documents. 5. Schedule an appointment for an interview.
The IRCC will review your application and interview you. If your application is approved, the person you are sponsoring will be granted a permanent resident visa.
Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship:
To be eligible for Children Sponsorship in Canada, a child must meet the criteria of being a dependent child, regardless of whether they are the biological or adopted child of a permanent Canadian citizen.
A child unmarried, in a common-law relationship, and under 22 years old will be classified as dependent. However, if a child is older than 22, they will be considered dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that hinders their ability to support themselves.
Dependent Child Sponsorship Requirements:
To obtain permanent residence for a child through family sponsorship, both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet eligibility requirements.
Parents who want to sponsor their children must fulfill these requirements:
You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident residing in Canada.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Steer clear of imprisonment, serious criminal charges, and bankruptcy.
Parents must present a birth or adoption certificate as proof to establish their relationship with the child.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?
You can sponsor the following relatives to come to Canada as permanent residents:
Spouse
Husband
Parents
Common-law partner
Conjugal partner
Dependent child
Adopted children
Grandparents
How much income is required to sponsor parents to Canada?
The amount of income needed to sponsor parents to Canada is determined by the province or territory where the sponsor resides.
Alberta
$44,663
British Columbia
$47,297
Manitoba
$41,365
New Brunswick
$39,623
Newfoundland and Labrador
$38,029
Northwest Territories
$46,131
How to sponsor someone to Canada for work?
There are two ways to sponsor someone to Canada for work:
Through a provincial nominee program (PNP)
Through the federal skilled worker program (FSW)
What is the cost of sponsoring someone to Canada?
The cost of sponsoring someone to Canada varies based on the program you have signed up.
For example:
Provincial nominee programs include:
Processing fee
A right of permanent residence fee
A biometrics fee.
The federal skilled worker program includes:
A processing fee
A right of permanent residence fee
A biometrics fee.
Can a Canadian citizen sponsor a non-family member?
No, a Canadian citizen cannot sponsor a non-family member.
Can I sponsor my fiance to come to Canada?
Yes, you can sponsor your fiancé to come to Canada as a permanent resident.
What if a spouse's visa is rejected?
If a spouse's visa is rejected, a few options are available to the couple.
Reapply
Appeal (Against the decision)
Leave Canada
What is the age limit for sponsorship in Canada?
There is no maximum age limit for sponsorship in Canada. However, there is an age limit for dependent children. The child must be under 22 on the lock-in date to be considered a dependent child.
What is the processing time for the sponsored visa?
Generally, a sponsored visa's processing time is between 6 and 12 months. However, this is just a general estimation, and the processing time may be longer.
Why is legal help for family sponsorship important?
Legal help is important for family sponsorship because the process can be complex and time-consuming. A lawyer will help you understand the requirements, gather the essential documentation, and file the paperwork correctly. They can also represent you at any hearings or interviews that may be necessary.
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Canada Family Class Sponsorship Overview:
The same general rules regarding the sponsorship of a spouse also apply to the sponsorship of an orphaned brother or sister who is still a minor. Sponsorship of orphaned brothers and sisters falls under the same general category as sponsorship of nephew or niece, grandson or granddaughter if he or she is an orphan, under 18 years of age, and not married or in a common-law relationship.
Canada Sponsorship Visa Requirements:
Family Members of Canadians are Eligible to Sponsor:
Government Cost:
How to Apply for Sponsor Visa:
1. Signup/register on the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) portal.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Pay the application fees.
4. Upload the required documents.
5. Schedule an appointment for an interview.
Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship:
Dependent Child Sponsorship Requirements:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?
You can sponsor the following relatives to come to Canada as permanent residents:
Spouse
Husband
Parents
Common-law partner
Conjugal partner
Dependent child
Adopted children
Grandparents
How much income is required to sponsor parents to Canada?
The amount of income needed to sponsor parents to Canada is determined by the province or territory where the sponsor resides.
How to sponsor someone to Canada for work?
There are two ways to sponsor someone to Canada for work:
Through a provincial nominee program (PNP)
Through the federal skilled worker program (FSW)
What is the cost of sponsoring someone to Canada?
The cost of sponsoring someone to Canada varies based on the program you have signed up.
For example: Provincial nominee programs include:
Processing fee
A right of permanent residence fee
A biometrics fee.
The federal skilled worker program includes:
A processing fee
A right of permanent residence fee
A biometrics fee.
Can a Canadian citizen sponsor a non-family member?
No, a Canadian citizen cannot sponsor a non-family member.
Can I sponsor my fiance to come to Canada?
Yes, you can sponsor your fiancé to come to Canada as a permanent resident.
What if a spouse's visa is rejected?
If a spouse's visa is rejected, a few options are available to the couple.
Reapply
Appeal (Against the decision)
Leave Canada
What is the age limit for sponsorship in Canada?
There is no maximum age limit for sponsorship in Canada. However, there is an age limit for dependent children. The child must be under 22 on the lock-in date to be considered a dependent child.
What is the processing time for the sponsored visa?
Generally, a sponsored visa's processing time is between 6 and 12 months. However, this is just a general estimation, and the processing time may be longer.
Why is legal help for family sponsorship important?
Legal help is important for family sponsorship because the process can be complex and time-consuming. A lawyer will help you understand the requirements, gather the essential documentation, and file the paperwork correctly. They can also represent you at any hearings or interviews that may be necessary.