Overview

Family Class Sponsorship allows an individual to sponsor certain family members if they are a Permanent Resident or Citizen of Canada. To do this, they have to be at least 18 years old and be able to financially support their family when they arrive in Canada.

Roles and responsibilities of a sponsor

Sponsors are required to read instructions and information present in the application guide that pertains to the principal applicant’s category of permanent residence, so that they accurately fill the information in the application and pay the fees required. The sponsorship fee and processing fees for the principal applicant and any accompanying dependants must be included with the application fee. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) can be paid upfront or at a later instance as is required for being granted permanent residence. Dependant children are not required to pay the RPRF.

Processing goals

The goal of the family class immigration program is to bring together Canadian citizens and permanent residents with immediate family members. Through this sponsorship, the sponsor promises that, for a specific time period, they will provide for the basic needs of their family members so they do not have to rely on social assistance.

Applications involving spouses, common-law or conjugal partners and dependent children are given priority. Adopted children, children to be adopted and orphans are also given priority, as they are minors without parental care.

What is a sponsorship undertaking?

The undertaking is a compulsory contract between sponsors and the IRCC Minister. By signing an IMM 1344, sponsors are expected to be able to finance the applicants if they are unable to support themselves.

There are two types of sponsorship undertakings

• federal undertakings submitted to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by sponsors who reside outside Quebec
• provincial undertakings submitted to the Quebec Ministry of Diversity and Inclusion by sponsors who reside or who intend to reside in Quebec

Spouse or common law partner

Spouse or common law partner allows an individual to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner and their dependent children who lives with them in Canada or outside Canada. To do this, they have to be at least 18 years old and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Under Canadian law, individuals who hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency and are involved in a romantic relationship with a foreign national are granted the opportunity to sponsor their partner, enabling them to obtain permanent residency in Canada. The sponsorship eligibility extends to spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners. When it comes to sponsoring, there are two primary options available: Outland and Inland sponsorship

Sponsors living in Quebec

The province of Quebec has its own immigration rules. If a sponsor live in Quebec:

• They must first send the application.
• if the federal requirements to apply for sponsorship are met, instructions to download Quebec’s sponsorship kit will be sent via email or letter to the sponsor.
• The Quebec’s undertaking kit needs to be submitted. A copy of the email or letter must be attached to the undertaking application that is submitted to the Quebec government.

The Quebec government will review the sponsorship application and inform the candidate if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Criteria to become a sponsor

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• if the sponsor is a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, they must prove that they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident.
• They cannot sponsor someone if they are a permanent resident living outside of Canada.
• Prove that they are not receiving assistance from the government for reasons other than a disability
• Be able to financially support themselves, their partner and their dependent children

Working – spouses and common law partners in Canada

A spouse or common-law partner with an existing work or study permit, may continue to work or study as long as the permit is valid. For a spouse or common law partner living with them, they can apply for an open work permit during their application for permanent residence.

Overview

If a candidate wants to apply for permanent residency in Canada, or to work, study or visit, they may be able to include dependent children on their application. Children qualify as dependants if they are under the age of 22 and do not have a spouse or partner.

Children who are sponsored through the Family Class of immigration are granted Canadian permanent residency, which grants them the privileges of studying and working in Canada.

Does my Child Qualify for Sponsorship?

To qualify, a child must be

• Under 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner
• 22 years of age or older, have depended substantially on the financial support of the parent since before the age of 22 and be unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition
• Was born to the parent making the application or through assisted human reproduction technologies
• Or, though not related to the parent making the application was born to the person who, at the time of the birth of the child, was that parent's spouse or partner

How does the process of sponsoring a child for immigration work? Here are the four main steps involved.

1. Acquire an application package from the official government website. This package comprises a comprehensive guide with instructions and forms necessary for accurately completing the process.
2. Make the online payment for the application, which includes the processing fee for all individuals included in the application, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, the biometric fee, and any applicable third-party fees.
3. Submit your completed application as per the submission instructions outlined in the downloaded guide.
4. Provide the required supporting documents when prompted to do so by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Am I Eligible to Sponsor my Child?

• Attain the age of 18 or older.
• Hold Canadian citizenship, reside permanently in Canada with the intention of returning, be a registered person under the Indian Act of Canada, or possess permanent residency in Canada.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide for your own essential needs, as well as those of your dependent children and spouse (if applicable).
• Provide evidence of your parental relationship to your child.
• Have no criminal record.
• Not be incarcerated, facing serious criminal charges, or declared bankrupt.
• Not be in violation of a previous sponsorship agreement.
• Not be under investigation by immigration authorities.
• Not be reliant on income assistance, except in cases of disability.

Is the Process of Sponsoring a Child Different in Quebec?

Quebec has a different procedure for sponsoring a child. In addition to the steps required by IRCC, few more additional steps need to be completed. Once a family law application is filed at the federal level with IRCC, an application at the provincial level needs to bed filed with MIFI. The candidate then needs to apply for the Quebec Selection Certificate.

The undertaking in Quebec is also different. According to this undertaking, the candidate will be the sponsor of the child for a specific period and will take care of their basic necessities.

Overview

The Parents and Grandparents Program application process generally opens once a year. It lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada.

What is the Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents?

The parent and grandparent super visa, allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit family in Canada for longer durations than with a normal visitor visa. The super visa is a multi-entry visa that has the benefit of multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

How can I sponsor my and grandparents to Canada?

Potential sponsors are randomly selected and invited to apply for sponsorship of their parents and grandparents. The candidate must first apply to become a sponsor and their parents must apply for permanent residence. Both these applications need to be submitted online simultaneously by the deadline specified in the invitation letter.

Who can apply for super visa?

To be eligible for a super visa, the individual must:

• be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
• have a signed letter from their child or grandchild inviting them to Canada which includes
• assurance of financial support for the duration of their stay
• details about the residents in the current household of this person
• a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document
• have proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company which meets certain requirements.