Family Sponsorship

Family Sponsorship

One of the objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection 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 based on the requirements provided under the Act.

Members of the family class include:

• Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner
• Dependent children including children adopted overseas
• Father or mother

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) for the sponsored person to receive a visa.

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

• Spouse
• Common-law Partner
• Conjugal Partner
• Dependent Children (Both Natural and Adoptive)
• Parents and Grandparents

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.

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.

Parents And Grandparents Sponsorship

Parents and grandparents may be sponsored if they are in good health, i.e. during medical examinations do not have any conditions that would be deemed as causing an excessive burden on the medical system. There are specific income guidelines set out by Canada Immigration that must be met. We will discuss options with you about the timelines of processing these special sponsorships, and options to have your loved ones visit and stay with you during the waiting period.