Family sponsorship is an important aspect of Canadian immigration policy, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members for permanent residence. Here’s how it typically works:
- Sponsor Eligibility: To sponsor a family member, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, be at least 18 years old, and meet certain financial requirements to ensure you can support your sponsored relative.
- Sponsored Relative Eligibility: The types of family members who can be sponsored vary depending on the sponsor’s status. Commonly sponsored relatives include spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. In some cases, other relatives like siblings or nieces/nephews may also be eligible.
- Application Process: The sponsorship process involves two main applications: one by the sponsor and one by the sponsored relative:
- The sponsor begins by submitting an application to sponsor their family member to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes proving their relationship and meeting financial requirements.
- Once the sponsorship application is approved, the sponsored relative submits their own application for permanent residence. This includes providing biographical information, undergoing medical examinations, and passing security checks.
- Processing Time: Processing times for family sponsorship applications can vary depending on factors such as the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored relative, the country of origin, and the number of applications in the queue. IRCC aims to process most applications within a reasonable timeframe.
- Obligations and Responsibilities: Sponsors are legally and financially responsible for the well-being of their sponsored relatives for a specified period of time, usually three to ten years depending on the relationship and the age of the sponsored relative. This means ensuring they have adequate financial support, including food, shelter, and other basic needs.
- Permanent Residence: Once the sponsored relative’s application is approved, they become permanent residents of Canada, with the right to live, work, and study in the country. After a certain period of residency, they may also be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Family sponsorship plays a crucial role in keeping families together and supporting the integration of newcomers into Canadian society. It reflects Canada’s commitment to family reunification and the importance of family ties in the immigration process.