Family Sponsorship

One of the objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act) is to see that families are reunited in Canada. The Family Class category is for applicants who have a close relative who is not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident of Canada. A family class can be defined as a class of persons who may become permanent residents on the basis of the requirements provided under the Act.

 

Members of the family class include:

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• Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner

• Dependent children including children adopted overseas

• Father or mother

• Other members like siblings, nephew, niece, etc. subject to certain conditions

 

SPOUSAL AND DEPENDENT KIDS SPONSORSHIP

 

The Spousal Sponsorship program is an important subsection of the Family Class immigration category. Under this program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children for Canadian permanent residence.

 

Both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident and the foreign national must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order for the sponsored person to receive a visa.

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In order to receive a visa through this immigration program, the sponsor and sponsored person must prove that their relationship qualifies under any one of the following four categories:

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• Spouse

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• Common-law Partner

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• Conjugal Partner

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• Dependent Children (Both Natural and Adoptive)

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Canada recognizes same-sex marriage, and same-sex partners may be eligible to apply under any of the above categories, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.

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Inland sponsorship is when the couple is together in Canada and the foreign spouse/common-law partner has temporary status in Canada, either as a worker, student, or visitor. However, the person being sponsored may be eligible for an Open Work Permit, allowing him or her to work for any employer in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed.

 

If a permanent resident sponsor misrepresents a material fact on their application to sponsor, it could result in the sponsored relative being found inadmissible and the permanent resident sponsor could be removed from Canada and be found inadmissible for a period of 2 years from the date of removal.

 

If a Canadian citizen sponsor misrepresents a material fact on their application to sponsor, they could face penalties.

 

Parent and Grand Parent Visa

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Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents (PGP) for permanent residence. You need to submit an interest to sponsor form when the program is open. There is a cap on the number of applications accepted every year.

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Sponsor eligibility:

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• Be at least 18 years old

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• Live in Canada

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• Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian

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• Meet income requirements

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The people you sponsor must also be eligible:

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• No Criminal background

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• No Security related inadmissibility

  

• No Medical  inadmissibility

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