Family Sponsorship Visa
Family Sponsorship Canada
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada can use spousal sponsorship, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent child (including adopted child) or other eligible relative (such as a parent or grandparent) to become a Canadian permanent resident. When you are sponsoring a family member in Canada, whether it is your dependent child or spouse/common-law partner, you promise to support them financially. Therefore, you must work in Canada and meet certain income requirements.
Requirements for the Sponsor:
• The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age;
• The sponsor must be a Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen;
• The sponsor cannot be in prison, bankrupt, under a removal order (if a permanent resident) or charged with a serious offence; and
• The sponsor cannot have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse within the last 5 years.
When you agree to be a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children.
Basic needs are:
• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
• dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.
By signing the undertaking agreement, you must make sure the people you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll have to pay back what they received during the time you are legally responsible for them. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid the amount.
The undertaking is a promise of support meaning that it will stay in effect for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes.
The undertaking won’t be cancelled, even if:
• The person you sponsor becomes a Canadian citizen
• You become divorced, separated or your relationship with the sponsored person breaks down
• You or the person you sponsor move to another province or country
• You have financial problems
You may not be able to sponsor if you:
• Previously sponsored someone and did not pay back any social assistance that they received while the undertaking was in place.
• Are in default on an immigration loan or a performance bond
• Signed an undertaking for a previous spouse or partner and it hasn’t been three years since they became a permanent resident,
• Receive social assistance for a reason other than disability,
• Have declared bankruptcy which has not been discharged
• A violent crime,
• An offence of a sexual nature,
• and etc.
In order for a Family Class application to be successful, both the sponsor in Canada and their sponsored family member must meet immigration requirements. These requirements differ depending under which program the application is submitted.
For more information on these programs contact with the FACELAW immigration consultants.