Family Class Sponsorship

Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members to become permanent residents in Canada. This program plays a crucial role in reuniting families and keeping them together in Canada.

Here’s a brief description of the Family Class Sponsorship program:

1. Sponsor Eligibility: To be eligible to sponsor a family member, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada. Sponsors must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate the ability to support their family members financially and sign an undertaking with the Canadian government to provide financial support for the sponsored family member for a specified period.
2. Eligible Family Members: The Family Class Sponsorship program allows sponsorship of the following family members:
3. Spouse or common-law partner: This includes both opposite-sex and same-sex partners who have a genuine and continuing relationship with the sponsor.
4. Conjugal partner: For partners who cannot be classified as common-law partners due to barriers such as immigration restrictions in their country, but who have a significant and genuine relationship with the sponsor.
5. Dependent children: Children under the age of 22 who are unmarried and financially dependent on the sponsor, as well as children over 22 who are dependent on the sponsor due to a physical or mental condition.
6. Parents and grandparents: Canadian citizens can sponsor their parents and grandparents, subject to certain eligibility criteria and application limits.
7. Application Process: The sponsorship process involves two main components – the sponsor’s application and the sponsored family member’s application for permanent residency. Sponsors must first submit an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to be approved as a sponsor. Once approved, they can submit the application to sponsor their eligible family member.
8. Undertaking and Financial Support: Sponsors must sign an undertaking with the Canadian government, committing to financially support their sponsored family member for a specific period (usually 3 to 20 years, depending on the relationship). This undertaking ensures that the sponsored person does not rely on social assistance from the Canadian government.
9. Processing Times: Processing times for Family Class Sponsorship applications can vary depending on the relationship and the country of origin of the sponsored person. IRCC aims to process most applications within a reasonable timeframe.

It’s essential to ensure that all the eligibility requirements are met and that the application is accurately prepared and submitted to avoid delays or refusals. The Family Class Sponsorship program serves as an important means for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their loved ones to live with them in Canada.