How to move your relatives to Canada
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor their relatives to move and help them obtain permanent residency.
If you have immigrated to Canada, you can help your relatives come too. Thanks to the Family Class program, you can sponsor them if you are at least 18 years old and are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Who You Can Sponsor
- spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner;
- biological or adopted children;
- parents and grandparents;
- orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren;
- other relatives — but only if you have no other close family members.
Sponsorship Requirements and Obligations
To become a sponsor, you must prove that you can financially support your relatives. The minimum income requirement depends on the number of relatives you're sponsoring and where you live. You can find the current requirements on the official Canadian government website. If you're living in Quebec, Quebec has its own income requirements, which differ from other regions.
Once your relatives receive permanent resident status, you are required to provide financial support for a specific period. This is up to 3 years for your spouse/partner and children, and up to 20 years for parents and grandparents. Your relatives will be able to live, study, and work in Canada, but they will not be eligible for government social assistance. If they do receive social assistance, you, as the sponsor, will be required to repay those funds to the government.
The sponsor must reside in Canada. An exception is made if you are a Canadian citizen living abroad and plan to return to Canada. In this case, you can only sponsor your spouse, partner, or child who has no dependents.
Processing Times
The processing time for sponsorship applications varies and can take between 10 to 24 months. In the case of parents and grandparents, the process may take several years since the intake of applications is not always open.
Appeals Process
If your sponsorship application for a relative is denied, you have the right to appeal. You can file an appeal with the Immigration Appeal Division of Canada by providing new evidence and arguments.
Alternatives to Sponsorship
If, for some reason, you are unable to sponsor your relatives, there are alternative options. For example, provincial immigration programs. In many of these programs, candidates with family members already living in a province receive additional points, giving them an advantage. However, unlike sponsorship programs, immigration programs require candidates to meet specific criteria regarding age, language proficiency, work experience, education, and other factors.
For parents and grandparents, there is also the Super Visa, which allows multiple entries to Canada for up to 10 years and lets them stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time without renewing their status.
Assistance with Sponsorship Applications
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The process of sponsoring family members can be complex. It’s essential to understand all the details and factors involved to avoid refusal. Seeking help from experts can make this process easier.
We offer comprehensive assistance with immigration to Canada, including family sponsorship programs. First, we will analyze your situation, review the factors immigration officers consider, and identify any potential issues or advantages that could impact the approval of your application. We will then help you prepare and submit the necessary documents to ensure your application is complete and accurate, minimizing errors.
Book a consultation to start the process of sponsoring your relatives for their move to Canada.
