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. Through the Family Class program, you can sponsor them if you are 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Who you can sponsor:
- spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, including same-sex;
- children and adopted children;
- parents and grandparents;
- orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren;
- other relatives — only if you have no one but them.
The sponsor must reside permanently in Canada. The only exception is if you already have Canadian citizenship and you live in another country but plan to return to Canada. In this case, you can only invite your spouse, partner, or child who does not have their own children.
There are two parts to the process: the Canadian resident sends in the sponsorship application, and the relative simultaneously applies for permanent residency in Canada.
Depending on which relative you sponsor, there may be different requirements for you as well as the period of time you must support the sponsored person. You will need to prove that you can provide your relative with basic needs (food, school, housing, etc.) and financial support. With a permanent residency, your relatives will be able to live, study and work in Canada, but will not able to receive social assistance from the government.
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