Family Class Sponsorship
This pathway provides the opportunity for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a spouse, common-law partner, parents or grandparents and dependent child and other relatives outside and inside of Canada to sponsor them to join them in Canada as permanent residents.
Spousal Sponsorship Requirements
To qualify as a sponsor for your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, you must meet the following requirements set by the IRCC:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a permanent resident, a Canadian citizen, or registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act Note:
- Prove that you can provide for the basic needs of your partner
- Not receiving government social assistance unless for the reason of disability
The sponsorship agreement is an agreement signed by the sponsor and the person being sponsored. It’s an agreement that:
- The sponsor will cater to the basic needs of the sponsored person
- The spouse or partner you sponsor will do their best to provide for themselves and their family members
- Prove that the relationship you’re having with the person you want to sponsor is real:
- Spouse: Prove you’re legally married and be at least 18yrs of age
- Common-law partner: must be at least 18 years of age and have lived together continuously for at least one year – Provide proof is required.
- Conjugal partner: at least 18yrs of age and have been in a relationship for at least 1yr. You must prove that you couldn’t live together as common-law partners or get married.
Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship
As a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you have an opportunity and a right to sponsor your parents or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada for some given time. Eventually, the sponsored persons may even become Canadian citizens.
Eligibility:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
- be at least 18 years of age,
- be the child or grandchild of the person(s) you are sponsoring,
- meet the minimum income (LICO) required for the size of their family unit
- sign a sponsorship agreement that acknowledges your promise to provide for the basic needs of family member(s) for a period of 20 years
- sign an additional agreement if you live in Quebec.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
You can sponsor your dependent children, whether natural or adopted, to live with you as permanent residents in Canada.
Definition of Dependent:
- A child is considered a dependent if he or she is not married or in a common-law relationship and is under 22 years of age.
- If a child is over 22 years of age, they may be considered a dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves.
To be eligible under this program, you:
- and your child abroad must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to receive a visa,
- must prove your relationship with the child you are sponsoring, either by a birth or adoption certificate.
