Family sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members for immigration to Canada. The sponsorship process enables eligible family members to reunite with their loved ones who are already residing in Canada.

Here’s how family sponsorship works in Canada:

  1. Eligibility: To sponsor a family member, you must meet certain eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes being a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada. You must also generally demonstrate that you have the financial means to support the family member you wish to sponsor.
  2. Who Can Be Sponsored: The family members who can be sponsored under this program include spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and in some cases, orphaned siblings, nieces, or nephews under 18 years of age.
  3. Application Process: The sponsorship process involves two main applications: the sponsor submits an application to sponsor their family member, and the sponsored family member submits an application for permanent residence. Both applications are typically submitted together or in quick succession.
  4. Processing Times: Processing times for family sponsorship applications can vary depending on various factors such as the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored person, the country from which the sponsored person is applying, and the current caseload at the immigration office processing the application. IRCC provides estimated processing times on their website (takes around one year).
  5. Financial Responsibility: As a sponsor, you are required to sign an undertaking agreement with the Canadian government, committing to financially support your sponsored family member for a specified period. This ensures that the sponsored individual does not rely on social assistance programs.
  6. Permanent Residency: Once the sponsored family member’s application for permanent residence is approved, they are granted permanent resident status in Canada, allowing them to live, work and study in the country indefinitely. It’s possible to obtain an open working permit during the processing time.
  7. Residency Obligations: Sponsored family members are required to comply with certain residency obligations to maintain their permanent resident status in Canada, such as living in Canada for a certain amount of time within a specified period.

Overall, family sponsorship provides a pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their family members and build a life together in Canada.