Who is eligible for family class sponsorship in Canada?
Family Class Sponsorship is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their qualifying family members for permanent residency in Canada. This program aims to reunite families and promote family togetherness by facilitating the immigration of close relatives.
To be a sponsor under the Family Class Sponsorship program, you must meet certain eligibility conditions. You need to be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and you must show that you can financially support the family member you are sponsoring. Additionally, you will need to sign an agreement promising to provide financial support to your sponsored family member for a specific period.
The process for the Canada Family Class Sponsorship begins when you submit an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with the necessary supporting documents. The family member you are sponsoring will also need to apply for permanent residency separately.
It’s important to keep in mind that there may be extra requirements and specific application processes based on your relationship and circumstances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about Family Class Sponsorship, be sure to check our website or seek professional assistance.
Who is eligible to become a sponsor?
Only individuals over 18 who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents can participate in Family Class Sponsorship to help family members immigrate to Canada. If the sponsor is living in another country, they need to prove that they will move back to Canada once their family member receives permanent status. The sponsor must also sign a contract to understand their responsibilities and duties. Additionally, the person sponsoring a family member must agree to support them financially for a specified period.
Who Can You Sponsor?
If you meet the requirements, you can sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada.
Sponsor requirements:
- Applicants must be of a minimum age of 18 years.
- To qualify as a sponsor, you must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or be recognized as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- You must financially assist them.
- Should ensure that they will not want government social assistance.
- They must supply their requirements upon arrival.
Who is ineligible to sponsor a family member?
In some instances, a permanent resident or citizen is ineligible to sponsor. If any of the following scenarios apply, a sponsor may be ineligible:
- Are currently imprisoned
- Having failed to make alimony or child support payments
- Bankruptcy filings that are still pending
- Obtained social security benefits for reasons other than infirmity
- Failed to repay an immigration loan, made late or missing payments
- If you had previously sponsored another family member and still needed to fulfill the requirements outlined in the sponsorship agreement.
- Depending on the facts of the case, you may have been sentenced for a violent crime, an offense against a relative, or a sexual offense.
Is a job required to sponsor a family member?
Applicants must meet our requirements to sponsor a family class visa other than a spouse or partner. While a job is not required, sponsors must show they have earned enough money in the last three years to sustain their sponsored family members.
What is the timeframe for processing a sponsorship application?
On average, the processing time for sponsorship applications is approximately one year, although it can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Sometimes, the processing period may extend beyond 12 months, especially if you have a complex issue or require additional documentation to establish your relationship. Submitting a complete and accurate application from the beginning is crucial to expedite the processing of your sponsorship application. Khanna’s team of legal professionals have extensive experience assisting numerous married sponsorship candidates, ensuring a smoother and faster process.
What other possibilities do I have for bringing a family member to Canada?
If sponsorship is not an option, your relative may be able to enter Canada through another immigration program. Look on our website page and learn about your immigration choices for your family members, even if you can contact us for more details.
What is the limit on the number of family members I can sponsor in Canada?
There is no limit on the number of qualifying family members a Canadian permanent resident or citizen can sponsor. However, each eligible family member being supported must have a separate application submitted on their behalf.
How can I find out where my sponsorship application stands?
Suppose you have applied for married, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship. In that case, you can track your application’s progress using the Permanent Residence Application Tracker provided by the Canadian government. If you are sponsoring another family member, how you check your application status will depend on whether you submitted your application online or by mail. Learn more about verifying your sponsorship application’s status using IRCC’s online tool.
Evaluation of Family Sponsorship
We can help you with Family Class Sponsorship, whether you want to sponsor your spouse or children, or if you’re looking to be sponsored. Please fill out our free sponsorship evaluation form. Set up an appointment, and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your options!