Options for Canadian Family Class Sponsorship

The Different Options Available for Canadian Family Class Sponsorship

In Canada, there are many Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish and desire to have their family abroad with them in Canada permanently. The Family Class sponsorship was created with this intent – to bring family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada to Canada for permanent residency. Additionally, the Canadian government offers a variety of different ways to allow this desire to come true under the Family Class sponsorship. Canada truly believes in family reunification and believes that families should be together. Therefore, in this article, I will address who a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can in fact sponsor, the different options available for Canadian family class sponsorship and much more.

Who Can a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident Sponsor to Canada

It is important to note that there are specific familial relationships that qualify to be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Specifically, these family members would fall under the Family Class sponsorship. Therefore, the following family members may be eligible to be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada:

• Their spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
• Their mother or father
• Their dependent children
• Their grandmother or grandfather
• Their brother or sister
• Their nephew or niece
• Their grandchildren (their parents must be deceased; they must be under 18; and they must not be married or in a common-law relationship)

The Different Options Available for Canadian Family Class Sponsorship

Depending on the family member that you intend on sponsoring, this will determine what eligibility requirements are needed from them and which application form they must fill out. It is important to note that the application forms and the documentation requested by Immigration is different based on the family member. Below I will explain in detail all of the options available

In addition, there are also two options for who you may sponsor in terms of your relatives. Below I will explain in detail both options available for Canadian family class sponsorship.

Spouse or Common-Law Partner

In order to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner to Canada, you must first determine whether your significant other will be in Canada or outside of Canada while the application is being processed. The spousal and common-law sponsorship program includes two options: inland sponsorship or overseas sponsorship. It is important to note that each of these two options brings advantages and disadvantages for the sponsored spouse. For instance, if the sponsored spouse is currently outside of Canada and the spousal sponsorship application is being processed, their ability to live with the sponsor will be very difficult to achieve. Additionally, there are specific eligibility requirements that both the sponsor and the sponsored spouse must abide by in order to successfully apply for a spousal sponsorship. Furthermore, if you would like to sponsor your spouse to Canada, there are also other federal and provincial economic programs that you may choose from that may be better suited for your spouse.

Parent or Grandparent

There are many ways in which you can help bring your parent or grandparent to Canada. The first option that you can choose from is the parents and grandparents sponsorship program which does have an annual capacity on the number of applications that may be accepted and processed. If this capacity is reached, then there is the second option that you can choose from which is the Super Visa program. This program permits parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada on a multiple-entry visa that could last up to 10 years. Additionally, the initial visit can be for up to 2 years, without having to renew the status of the visa, which is much longer than a regular visitor visa. Furthermore, federal and provincial economic programs are also available to any parent or grandparent that qualifies. Please note that whichever program you decide to choose, you must ensure that all of the eligibility requirements are met prior to applying.

Dependent Children

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and have a dependent child that is currently living abroad and would like to sponsor them to Canada, you may do so by applying under the dependent child sponsorship program. Of course, even if they are under age and dependent on you, you must ensure that they meet all of the eligibility requirements in order to successfully apply under this program.

Any Other Relative

In order to sponsor any other relative, such as a brother or sister, nephew or niece, there are specific eligibility requirements to abide by. They may be sponsored through the family class sponsorship; however, there are also other federal and provincial economic programs that they may apply to. This ultimately depends whether they qualify for these programs as well.

It is important to understand and research whether you, as the sponsor, and the sponsored family member are eligible to sponsor and to be sponsored prior to submitting any application through the Canadian Family Class sponsorship. If you need any assistance with determining which option is best for you, we can definitely help you out at Akrami & Associates.

Contact Akrami & Associates

It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned important information in consideration prior to applying under the Canadian Family Class Sponsorship. Additionally, if you are unsure what requirements are needed from you, it is always best to research beforehand. Applying for a family class sponsorship in Canada is a difficult task to do on your own; therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients reunite with their family members and have helped them obtain permanent residency in Canada. If you believe that you might be eligible, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!