FAMILY SPONSORSHIP CANADA
Moving abroad and leaving your loved ones on opposite coast is not easy. One of the objectives of Government of Canada is to see that families are reunited. Certain family members may qualify to settle in Canada long-term and become permanent residents under family class category. After becoming permanent residents, they can live, study and work in Canada, thus you no longer need to apply for visitor visa and provide letter of invitation. Like other immigration categories, family class sponsorship has certain requirements, such as minimum necessary income which should be met by sponsor. If you are wondering how to sponsor someone to Canada, you should start from reviewing family sponsorship applications, eligibility and requirements. You may be eligible to sponsor a child, spouse or a common-law partner living outside or inside Canada if you are 18 years of age or older, and you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
When you are sponsoring a family member, 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. Sponsoring a family member to Canada is a big commitment, as you must sign an undertaking agreement. Kindly note, that family sponsorship in Canada is not eligible for a tax receipt. Below you’ll find more information on how to sponsor a relative to Canada, what are family sponsorship income requirements, how you should be sponsoring a child born outside of Canada, as well as surrogacy and immigration considerations.
CAN I SPONSOR...?
DEPENDENT CHILD
Brother or Sister
Adopted Child
Friend
Relative
Someone Else
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following categories of individuals can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident:
- the sponsor’s spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner
- a dependent child of the sponsor
- the sponsor’s mother or father
- the sponsor’s grandmother or grandfather
- the sponsor’s brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild whose parents are deceased, under 18 years of age, and not married or in a common-law relationship
If the sponsor has no above-mentioned relative eligible to be sponsored, and does not have any of the above-mentioned relatives who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, then he or she may sponsor any person related by blood or adoption.
You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:
- Canadian citizen or
- person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
- permanent resident of Canada
You may not sponsor your brother-in-law under family class category, however the Express Entry system awards 15 additional points to candidates with siblings in Canada. To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling (your spouse) is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older.
In some exceptional circumstances siblings may be sponsored under orphaned close relative option only if they meet all conditions. This means they must be:
- orphaned
- under 18
- without a:
- spouse
- conjugal partner
- common-law partner
- related to sponsor (your spouse) by blood or adoption, such as:
- brothers or sisters
- Canadian citizen or
- person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
- permanent resident of Canada
The individuals you are eligible to sponsor to Canada are your spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner, parents, grandparents, certain relatives and dependent children. Even though you may not sponsor your friend to Canada for the purpose of obtaining permanent residency, you can send them a letter of invitation to apply for a Visitor Visa.
You may not be sponsored as sister under family class category, however the Express Entry system awards 15 additional points to candidates with siblings in Canada. To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older.
In some exceptional circumstances siblings may be sponsored under orphaned close relative option only if they meet all conditions. This means they must be:
- orphaned
- under 18
- without a:
- spouse
- conjugal partner
- common-law partner
- related to sponsor by blood or adoption, such as:
- brothers or sisters
You can sponsor close relatives only if they meet all conditions. This means they must be:
- orphaned
- under 18
- without a:
- spouse
- conjugal partner
- common-law partner
- related to you by blood or adoption, such as:
- brothers or sisters
- nephews or nieces
- grandchildren
You may sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age if you meet all of the conditions, including:
- you don’t have a living relative you could sponsor instead, such as a:
- spouse
- common-law partner
- conjugal partner
- son or daughter
- parent
- grandparent
- brother or sister
- uncle or aunt
- nephew or niece
- you don’t have any of the above-named relatives who is:
- a Canadian citizen
- a permanent resident
- registered Indian under the Indian Act
If the relative you want to sponsor has a spouse, partner, or dependent children who will come with them to Canada you must include them on the same sponsorship application.
The length of undertaking for other relatives depends on:
- the age of the person you sponsor
- their relationship to you, and
- where you live
You will need to provide your Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for each of the three taxation years immediately preceding the date of your sponsorship application.
Yes, the change in age of dependants affects sponsorship undertakings.
As of October 24, 2017, the length of undertaking (the length of time you are financially responsible for the person you sponsor) for dependent children has changed:
- If your dependent child is less than 22 years of age when they become a permanent resident, you are financially responsible for them for 10 years after they become a permanent resident, or until they turn 25 years old, whichever comes first.
- If your dependent child is 22 years of age or older when they become a permanent resident, you are financially responsible for them for three years after they become a permanent resident.
No. You can’t add a dependent child to your application.
However, you may sponsor your child if:
- you meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements, and
- your child qualifies as a dependant (meets the age limit and requirements for dependent children)
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