Canada's Family Sponsorship Program is a key part of the Canadian immigration system, designed to help Canadian citizens or permanent residents reunite with their family members. Through this program, sponsors can apply for permanent residency on behalf of eligible family members, allowing them to live together in Canada.

 

Main Categories of Family Sponsorship:

 

1. Spousal and Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

• Eligibility:

• Spouse: A legally married partner of the sponsor.

• Common-Law Partner: An unmarried partner who has lived with the sponsor for at least 12 months continuously.

• Conjugal Partner: A partner who cannot marry or cohabit with the sponsor due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., legal or immigration barriers).

• Sponsorship Requirements:

• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indigenous person under the Indian Act.

• The sponsor must sign a financial agreement, committing to provide economic support for a specified period.

• Types:

• Inland Sponsorship: For applicants residing in Canada, with the option to apply for an open work permit simultaneously.

• Outland Sponsorship: For applicants living outside Canada but can also be processed while in Canada.

•  

• 2. Dependent Child Sponsorship

• Eligibility:

• Unmarried children under the age of 21.

• Children over 21 who are unable to support themselves financially due to physical or mental conditions and rely on parental support.

• Requirements:

• Proof must be provided to demonstrate that the child meets the dependency criteria.

•  

• 3. Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP)

• Eligibility:

• The sponsor's parents or grandparents.

• Application Process:

• Each year, eligible sponsors are selected through a lottery system.

• Selected sponsors can submit a complete application.

• Financial Requirements:

• The sponsor must provide proof of income for the past three years, demonstrating the ability to support the sponsored individuals.

• ​

• 4. Other Relatives Sponsorship

• Eligibility:

• If the sponsor has no immediate family (spouse, children, parents, or grandparents), they may sponsor certain other relatives, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or uncles/aunts.

• Sponsored relatives must be orphans, unmarried, and under 18 years of age.

• In specific cases, the sponsor may support other close relatives.

• Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Sponsors must sign a financial agreement, committing to provide economic support for a specified period:

• Spouse or Partner: 3 years.

• Children: 10 years or until the child turns 25 (whichever comes first).

• Parents and Grandparents: 20 years.

• ​

• If you would like to learn more about family sponsorship in Canada, feel free to contact Regulated Canadian immigration consultant Howard!