Sponsoring Family to Come to Canada
One of the happiest moments for many newcomers to Canada is the day that their family members join them here as permanent residents.
If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and are 18 years of age or older, you may apply to have eligible family members join you by acting as their sponsor. This is known as Family Class sponsorship.
Becoming a sponsor is a serious commitment. It means that you are taking financial responsibility for those family members when they arrive in Canada.
The process for sponsoring family varies slightly, depending on how you are related to the other person or people.
Please note: Canada’s immigration policies and programs are developed and overseen by the federal government department called Citizenship and Immigration Canada. For complete and fully up-to-date information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Website.
How to Sponsor a Spouse, Partner or Child
You can apply to sponsor a spouse, a common-law or conjugal partner or a dependent child whether the person lives outside of Canada or with you in Canada, even if he or she does not have legal status in Canada.
The definition for each of these relationships is quite specific, so make sure you review the guidelines before you apply. Providing incorrect or incomplete information could cause your application to be denied.
To become a sponsor, you and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement. The agreement says that the person who is coming to Canada will make every effort to support himself or herself. It also commits you to provide financial support to your sponsored relative once he or she arrives in Canada, if required, for a certain period of time — three years for a spouse and 10 years for a dependent child 22 years of age or less, or until that child turns 25, whichever comes first. If you live in Quebec, you must also meet that province’s immigration sponsorship requirements.
Because you are taking financial responsibility for your family member(s), you will be required to meet certain income requirements.
How to Apply
There are two main parts to the sponsorship application process. First, you apply to sponsor the relative. Then, the relative applies for permanent residence.
Begin by obtaining an application kit for both parts of the process. There is one kit for you to apply as a sponsor and another kit to apply for permanent residence. Note that there are different forms for family members living inside and outside of Canada.
Be sure to read the guides for both parts of the application carefully before completing the forms and attaching the necessary documents. All applicants must pass medical, criminal and background checks (these are explained in the guide). There is also an application fee, which varies for the different types of relationships. It can be paid at the bank or online.
If your sponsorship application is refused, your family member(s) may continue with his or her permanent resident application; however, it may not be approved.
If your sponsorship application is approved, but your family member’s application is refused, you will be told why. You may be able to appeal the decision.
How to Sponsor Other Relatives
In addition to sponsoring your spouse or children, you can sponsor other relatives, including parents and grandparents, as well as brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship.
There are three parts to the application forms:
- Part A: Sponsorship forms, which you must complete and submit with the proper documentation.
- Part B: Immigration forms, which must be completed by the person being sponsored.
- Part C: Forms specific to the person’s region. These must be completed by the relative(s) you are sponsoring.
You must submit your sponsorship application first. Once it’s approved, notify your relatives so that they can file their immigration forms. Forms must be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ont.
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