Canada has made it really easy to sponsor your loved one to become a permanent resident. There are two main ways to sponsor your loved one: the Canadian Experience Class and a family sponsorship visa. The Canadian Experience Class is for those who have worked or studied in Canada for at least two years. It provides an opportunity for work experience and English language skills to be recognized as valuable contributions to Canada’s economy. The second way is through a family sponsorship visa. This is for those who are related to you by blood or marriage. It can be used to sponsor your partner, dependent children, parents and grandparents.
Canada is a country of immigrants, and for many people, it’s their first step toward citizenship. Unfortunately, not everyone can immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident only those who have certain job skills and educational qualifications can apply for permanent residency. However, there are ways to sponsor family members from abroad so that they can join you in Canada despite being unable to obtain their own visas.
Who is eligible to sponsor family members to move to Canada?
You are eligible to sponsor your family if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- You and your sponsor are related by blood, marriage (including common-law) or adoption or You have an established relationship with the person you want to sponsor.
- You can show that you can financially support your family member while they’re in Canada.
- You’re able to provide proof that you have lived in Canada for at least one year, unless you are a permanent resident or citizen.
- You’re not under any form of removal orders from the Canadian government.
- You don’t have any criminal convictions.
- You’re over 18 years old and you prove that you can support yourself while in Canada.
If you want to sponsor your parents, grandparents or other family members who are not yet Canadian citizens and permanent residents, the process is slightly different than if they already live in Canada. In this case, there are three ways that you can apply for sponsorship:
If your family member is outside of Canada, contact them directly to see if they are eligible for a visa under their own merit. If so, have them apply for one immediately before applying for a sponsorship to bring them over.
You can also apply to sponsor a family member who is already in Canada on a visitor visa. To do this, they must have lived in the country for at least one year and prove that they are able to support themselves while there. Once you have both of these documents, fill out the appropriate application forms and send them off to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Applying as a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your immediate family members. You can also sponsor your spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partner (if you’re married).
You can also sponsor dependent children of any age who are under 18 years old at the time of application (the child must be living with the applicant).
If you have parents who are financially dependent on you as their primary support person and they do not reside in Canada but live elsewhere in North America or Europe then they may also qualify for sponsorship by one member of their family group.
Can a Temporary Resident in Canada Sponsor a Family Member to Canada?
Yes, a Temporary Resident in Canada can sponsor a family member to Canada. As a Temporary Resident you may be eligible to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner and conjugal partner (if you’re married). You can also sponsor dependent children of any age who are under 18 years old at the time of application (child must be living with the applicant).
If you have parents who are financially dependent on you as their primary support person and they live elsewhere in North America or Europe then they may also qualify for sponsorship by one member of their family group.
Eligible people you can sponsor
The first thing you need to know is that there are three different types of family members you can sponsor. These include:
- A child under 18 years old (or 22 if you’re an adult) who is living in Canada with your relative’s help; or
- Your spouse/common-law partner and their dependent children (if they are not married or cohabiting). This includes any stepchildren, foster children and adopted children who live with them in Canada;
- Other people who depend on the sponsor for financial support due to a severe impairment or chronic disease
The cost of family reunification in Canada
The cost of family reunification in Canada depends on the family member you are sponsoring.
There are fees for the application, for medicals and for the family member’s travel to Canada. There are also fees for the family member to apply for a permanent residency card and citizenship. The immigration fees for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner are as follows: Application fee: $550;
Medical examination fee: $150;
Travel costs: $200 (if you need to pay for the travel expenses of the person being sponsored); Processing fee: $75; Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $75 (if you are applying for a spouse or common-law partner); and Citizenship processing fee: $530.
For Parents and Grandparents: The fee for sponsoring your parents or grandparents is the same as the fee for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner. For Parents and Grandparents: Application fee: $550; Medical examination fee: $150; Travel costs: $200 (if you need to pay for the travel expenses of the person being sponsored); Processing fee: $75; Right of Permanent Residence Fee: $75 (if you are applying for a parent or grandparent); Citizenship processing fee: $530.
Sponsoring a family member to immigrate to Canada requires careful preparation and knowledge. The process can be lengthy, and you need to make sure that you are eligible to sponsor your family member. You also need to consider whether or not you have enough space, income, and other resources available for them after they arrive in Canada.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering what it would be like to sponsor your family member to move to Canada, there is no better time than now! There are many resources available online that can help you prepare for this process. It is important that you take some time to learn more about the process and make sure everything will go smoothly when they arrive in Canada.
