Family Sponsorship Canada: Guide to Bringing Spouse and Children to Canada

In Canada, the Family Sponsorship Program is a cornerstone of the country’s immigration policy, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close family members for permanent residence, facilitating family reunions, and strengthening social relationships.

Sponsor eligibility requirements

Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and reside in Canada to be eligible as sponsors in Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program. Additionally, sponsors must demonstrate their ability to offer financial support to their sponsored family members, assuring they will not rely on government social assistance. Meeting these conditions qualifies the sponsor to begin the family reunion procedure.

Sponsorship categories

Spousal sponsorship for spouses or common-law partners, Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship, and Dependent Child Sponsorship are all available in Canada. These programs, each with its own qualifying criteria and application processes, allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with family members by sponsoring them for permanent residence.

Spousal sponsorship

Spousal sponsorship in Canada permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners for permanent residency, encouraging family reunification by allowing the sponsored individuals to live and work in Canada. The application process includes showing the sincerity of the relationship as well as completing immigration eligibility standards.

Sponsor eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an Indian registered in Canada.
• Live in Canada (unless you are a Canadian citizen who is currently residing outside of Canada and intends to return when your spouse becomes a permanent resident).
• Not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Meet the minimum income requirement to financially support your spouse.
  

Relationship requirements:

• Be legally married or in a common-law relationship for at least 12 months.
• Provide evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship. Joint bank accounts, shared living arrangements, photos together, and letters from friends and family are examples of this.

Application Process:

• Apply online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
• Gather the required documents, such as:
  • Proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
  • Marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship
  • Police certificates for both you and your spouse
  • Medical examinations for your spouse
  • Financial documents to prove you meet the income requirement
• Pay the application fees.
• Submit your application and wait for processing.

Processing Timeline:

• Be prepared to wait 12 to 24 months for your application to be processed. This can vary depending on individual circumstances and IRCC workload.

Dependent child sponsorship

Dependent Child Sponsorship in Canada permits Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children for permanent residence, allowing them to reunite with their children. The sponsor must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, and the program’s goal is to assist family reunion by providing a pathway for dependent children to live, study, and work in Canada.

Sponsor eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an Indian registered in Canada.
• Live in Canada (unless you are a Canadian citizen who is currently residing outside of Canada and intends to return when your spouse becomes a permanent resident).
• Not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Meet the minimal income required to sustain your child financially for at least three years. (There are certain exceptions for children with disabilities or who are financially independent before the age of 22.)

Dependent Child Requirements:

• Must be under 22 years old (exceptions apply).
• Unmarried or in a common-law partnership but financially dependent on you.
• Not legally adopted by someone else.