July 1st, 2023 at 12:01 am

Canada Spouse Sponsorship 2023: New Rules & Requirements, List of Documents & Eligibility Criteria

Canada offers a variety of immigration schemes that enable citizens the chance to sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada because it values family reunification and keeping loved ones together.

What is family class sponsorship?

For citizens or permanent residents who want to bring their relatives to Canada, the country offers sponsorship opportunities. Certain family members may be granted permanent residency in Canada under these programs. Because Canada understands that family should never be put on hold, one of the most well-liked immigration streams allows citizens and permanent residents to easily bring their spouses and closest family members to Canada with shortened processing timelines.

Who can you sponsor to come to Canada?

1. Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner

Whether your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner is residing abroad or in Canada on a valid temporary visa, you may be able to sponsor them for a Canadian permanent residence. In-country residents may also be eligible for an open work permit, which would allow couples to lessen some of their financial obligations.

While their sponsorship application awaits the final decision, sponsored people can work in Canada with a spousal open work visa. Since common law partnerships are recognized in Canada, if you and your partner are not wed but have lived together for at least a year, you may be qualified to apply for spousal sponsorship.

2. Parent or Grandparent sponsorship

Through the parent and grandparent sponsorship program, Canada’s dedication to family reunification stretches to parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents. Citizens and permanent residents must show that they can support their family financially by earning the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit to sponsor a parent or grandparent.

They must also consent to provide any necessary financial support for the sponsored family members. Super Visas (long-term, multiple-entry visas for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents’ children or other dependant sponsorship) may be available to sponsors who cannot provide their parent or grandparent with long-term support.

3. Child or Other Dependent Sponsorship

You can choose to list your children on your application for permanent residency if you’re moving to Canada as an accompanying dependent. They might still be able to come and live with you in Canada later if you decide not to include them or are unable to do so for any other reason.

As long as they are single and have no children of their own, Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sponsor their biological or adopted children below the age of 22 for permanent residency. If a child above the age of 22 has a physical or mental impairment that makes it impossible for them to support themselves, that child may be regarded as a dependent.

4. Orphaned Brother, Sister, Nephew, Niece, or Grandchild

In some specific circumstances, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be qualified to sponsor the immigration to Canada of their orphaned sibling, niece, nephew, or grandchild. They must be unmarried, under 18, and your relative by blood or adoption to sponsor them.

5. Other Relatives (in unusual cases as a lonely Canadian in some uncommon situations)

One distant relative may be sponsored to immigrate to Canada by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Sponsors must be categorized as “Lonely Canadians” to sponsor a relative who does not fit the criterion of the “current family class” in Canada. The sponsor is thus not a spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, kid, or child of another person.

Who can sponsor a family member?

You need to meet the minimum eligibility standards to sponsor a family member. All qualified sponsors must;

• First and foremost, be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada first.
• Next, you must be at least 18 years old.
• Subsequently, after your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident of Canada, live in Canada or make plans to do so.
• Above all, be prepared to meet your family member’s basic financial demands for three years.

Who cannot sponsor a relative?

If one of the following situations occurs, a citizen or permanent resident may not sponsor under certain circumstances. A sponsor might not be qualified if they:

• First, are currently incarcerated
• Secondly, have not made payments for child or alimony support
• Additionally, filed for bankruptcy, and have not yet been freed
• Moreover, receive social assistance for factors other than a handicap.
• Furthermore, missed payments, late payments, or failure to repay an immigration loan
• Also, have sponsored a relative in the past but failed to follow the sponsorship agreement’s requirements.
• In addition, depending on the specifics of the case, have been convicted of a violent crime, any offense against a relative, or any sexual offense.

Cost to sponsor a family member in Canada

A $150 payment will be necessary for each child listed on the application if you are supporting your spouse and they have dependent children or if you are supporting your adopted child. A further $1,050 is needed if you’re including your relative’s spouse or partner.

The following is a list of the government processing fees for sponsoring a relative in Canada;

• Sponsorship fee $75
• Principal applicant processing fee $475
• Right of permanent residence fee $500
• Biometrics $85
• Total $1,135

A charge of 289 Canadian dollars must be paid in addition to the expenses listed above if the sponsor lives in Quebec or plans to live there after receiving permanent residence.

Income Requirement for Canadian Family Sponsorship

Some sponsorship requests, such as those from parents, grandparents, eligible orphaned relatives, or qualified Lonely Canadian policy applicants, are subject to minimum income restrictions. These sponsors are expected to submit Notices of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency as well as the minimum necessary income (MNI) necessary for the size of their family unit.

This demonstrates that they have done so for a minimum of three years running. Unlike most other types of Canadian sponsorship, sponsoring a spouse does not need you to provide proof of a certain level of income. However, before bringing a family member to Canada, you must sign an undertaking pledging to support them financially to meet their necessities.

This declaration, which must be included with every sponsorship application, confirms the sponsor’s promise to pay back any social assistance benefits received for 20 years by themselves and any related family members. If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional undertaking must be executed.

Duration of Undertaking

The type of sponsorship determines how long the effort will last. The duration of the undertaking is three years starting on the day the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident of Canada for spousal sponsorship, which includes spouses and common-law or conjugal partners.

Providing their dependent child does not already have children of their own, Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are legally sponsoring their dependent children are exempt from having to meet the MNI (minimum necessary income). The sponsor must meet the MNI requirements for their family unit size if the sponsored dependent kid has dependent children of their own.

Do you need a job to sponsor a family member?

Applicants must fulfill MNI requirements to sponsor a family member who isn’t their spouse or partner. While employment is not always necessary, sponsors are still expected to show that they have enough money coming in over the last three years to support the family members they are supporting.

How long does sponsorship take?

Applications for sponsorship go through the entire processing cycle in around a year. Normally, applications process in a year, but depending on the specifics of your case, it can take longer. Your application may delay if you have a challenging situation or the immigration officer needs more proof of your relationship.

Making sure that your sponsorship application is completed accurately the first time is the best approach to guarantee that it is processed as promptly as possible. Numerous candidates for spousal sponsorship have received assistance from Canadim’s attorneys and legal professionals.

Alternative Ways to bring your family to Canada

Your relative may qualify under another Canadian immigration program if sponsorship is not a possibility.

How many relatives can you sponsor to Canada?

There is no restriction on how many eligible family members a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor. However, each qualified family member sponsored by the applicant requires a separate application.

Sponsoring a family member in Quebec

Quebec has more freedom from the federal government to choose who will live there. Therefore, to sponsor a member of their eligible family, permanent residents or citizens of Quebec must first request permission from the Quebec Ministere de L’Immigration of la Francisation et de L’Iintegration (MIFI).
For sponsors who reside in Quebec, MIFI approves sponsorship undertakings.

Canadian Sponsorship Background Check

Adults applying for Canadian permanent residency must provide a police clearance certificate for criminal clearance. Also, police clearances from all nations where they lived for at least six months since turning 18

Canadian Sponsorship Biometrics

Most immigrants to Canada must submit biometric data. If you want to know if you have to provide your biometrics, use Canada’s online tool. You will get a letter from IRCC with information on how to supply your biometrics after paying your biometric fee when completing your application.

Canadian Sponsorship Medical Exam

A medical examination is required of anyone applying to become a permanent resident of Canada to make sure they qualify medically. Your medical exam does not have to be included with your application. After you submit your sponsorship application, IRCC will give you guidance on how to go about scheduling your medical exam.

A physician from the IRCC’s list of panel physicians must conduct the medical examination.

How to check the status of the sponsorship application

Track your permanent residence application progress for spousal, common-law, or dependent child sponsorship. Check online or by mail based on how you submitted the application. Determine the status of the sponsored family member using the chosen method

Learn more about how to track the progress of your sponsorship application using the IRCC’s online portal.

Is there a Deadline for Canadian sponsorship applications?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who qualify may apply at any time to sponsor their spouse or kid. Candidates receive an invitation to apply and submit their application by the deadline to support their parents or grandparents.

Can you sponsor a Brother/Sister to Canada?

Sponsoring your sibling to immigrate to Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is highly challenging. This can only happen if you qualify as a lonely Canadian or if your siblings enlisted as dependents on your application for parental sponsorship.

Can you sponsor a Fiance to Canada?

Permanent residents and citizens of Canada cannot sponsor their fiancée to immigrate to the country. To be eligible to apply under the spousal sponsorship category, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must wed. Alternatively, if your fiancée meets the requirements for a common-law partner, you might be able to sponsor her to immigrate to Canada.

Can you Sponsor your Boyfriend/Girlfriend to Canada?

There isn’t a program available in Canada to sponsor your partner’s immigration. If you want to sponsor your boyfriend or girlfriend to immigrate to Canada, you must be married or have common-law partners. Permanent residents and citizens of Canada may, under very certain conditions, be qualified to sponsor their spouse.

Can you Sponsor your Friend to Canada?

No program in Canada allows a citizen or permanent resident to sponsor a buddy. Your friend may qualify under another immigration program if interested in moving to Canada.

Age Limit for Sponsorship in Canada

Canadian citizens or permanent residents must be at least 18 years old to sponsor a family member. No age limit applies to who can sponsor immigration to Canada.

Can the spouse or common-law partner work in Canada while an inland spousal sponsorship application process?

ALSO READ: