Family sponsorship immigration is one of Canada’s key policies that allows foreign nationals to immigrate, live, study, and work in the country. So, who can be sponsored under this program? What are the conditions to become a sponsor? How does the application process for family sponsorship work? Join Phan Immigration as we explore these questions in the detailed content below.
What is Family Sponsorship Immigration to Canada?
Family sponsorship immigration to Canada is a program that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their relatives from abroad to come to Canada. Sponsored individuals are allowed to live, work, and study in Canada, with the opportunity to eventually obtain Canadian citizenship.
This program aims to reunite families while also attracting new residents who can contribute to Canada’s economic growth and cultural diversity. Compared to other immigration pathways, family sponsorship is generally easier, as it does not require the sponsored person to meet specific criteria regarding education, professional qualifications, work experience, or financial status.
Categories of Family Sponsorship to Canada
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor close relatives such as grandparents, parents, biological or adopted children, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, and orphaned nieces and nephews under the age of 18, as well as spouses or common-law partners.
Below are the most common types of family sponsorship:
Sponsorship of Spouses, Common-Law Partners, and Dependent Children
Spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children may be sponsored to become permanent residents of Canada if they meet eligibility requirements. Sponsors must demonstrate the financial ability to support the sponsored individuals without requiring government assistance.
Conditions for each type of sponsored relationship:
- Spouse: Must be legally married and at least 18 years old.
- Common-law Partner: Must have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months and be at least 18 years old.
- Dependent Children: Must be under 22 years old, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship.
Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents
To sponsor parents or grandparents to immigrate to Canada, the sponsor must prove both the familial relationship and financial ability to support them. Each year, the government sets a specific intake limit for parent and grandparent sponsorships, so early application is crucial.
General requirements for sponsoring parents and grandparents:
- The individuals being sponsored must be biological or adoptive parents/grandparents.
- It is possible to sponsor more than two individuals if the sponsor can prove sufficient income to cover their essential living needs.
- Step-parents can also be sponsored if the biological parent is divorced and has remarried.
Sponsorship of Other Family Members
In addition to close relatives, Canada’s Family Sponsorship Program also allows sponsorship of other family members such as biological siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.
The eligibility conditions for sponsoring these relatives are:
- Must be under 18 years of age.
- Must be unmarried and not in a common-law relationship.
- Both biological or adoptive parents must be deceased.
- Must have a biological or adoptive relationship with the sponsor.
Requirements to Become a Sponsor
To qualify as a sponsor, you must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Not be facing financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or serving a sentence for a criminal offense.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to meet the basic living needs (such as food, housing, and utilities) of the sponsored person.
- The sponsored person must be at least 22 years old unless they fall into specific categories like orphans or other special cases.
- For couples sponsoring two parents or grandparents, the combined minimum income must be at least 81,880 CAD (~1,460,961,000 VND) per year.
- The sponsor must currently reside in Canada.
Who Can Sponsor a Family Member to Immigrate to Canada?
Based on the information above, the following individuals are eligible to sponsor family members to Canada:
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner: Eligible under the Spousal Sponsorship Program.
- Dependent Children: Both biological and adopted children are eligible under the Dependent Child Sponsorship Program.
- Parents and Grandparents: Can be sponsored under the Family Class or through the Super Visa Program.
- Siblings and Nieces/Nephews: Eligible under specific family sponsorship criteria.
- Other Relatives: Certain other family members may also be eligible depending on specific circumstances.
Family Sponsorship Application Process for Canadian Immigration
Sponsors must prepare complete documentation and strictly follow the process to avoid delays or rejection of the sponsorship request. The family sponsorship application process consists of four steps:
Step 1: Prepare and Complete the Required Documents
Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must gather all necessary documents and submit them to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Note: Any documents not in English or French must be officially translated, and certified copies of original documents must be submitted (valid at the time of application).
Sponsor’s required documents:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
- Birth certificate.
- Passport.
- Proof of permanent resident status or citizenship if there has been a change in immigration status.
- Proof of income.
Sponsored person’s required documents:
- Passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Recent passport-size photo.
- Proof of relationship to the sponsor.
After submitting the application and being approved for eligibility to complete immigration procedures to Canada, you will need to prepare additional supporting documents as follows.
Sponsor’s Settlement Documentation:
- Sponsorship undertaking form.
- Civil status certificate.
- List of sponsored individuals.
- Sponsorship letter.
- Proof of financial support.
- Canadian citizenship card.
- Photocopy of passport.
- Photocopy of permanent resident card.
Sponsored Person’s Settlement Documentation:
- Passport.
- Visa application form.
- Two passport-size photos (4.5 x 4.5 cm).
- Proof of financial resources.
- Proof of relationship to the sponsor.
Step 2: Complete the Application Forms and Submit for Review
The sponsor must accurately complete all application forms and submit the application package to the appropriate authority. The process is as follows:
First, download the required forms from the official IRCC website. The required forms include:
- IMM 1344: Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement, and Undertaking.
- IMM 5669: Schedule A – Background/Declaration.
- IMM 5406: Additional Family Information Form.
- IMM 5707: Family Information Form (for applicants outside Canada).
Next, carefully read the instructions and complete the forms in English or French. Double-check all information before submission.
Finally, submit your application to IRCC through one of the two options:
- Create an account on the IRCC portal and submit online.
- Mail the application package to the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario.
Step 3: Pay the Required Processing Fees
You must pay the required fees promptly and on time to avoid delays in the processing of your application. There are three accepted payment methods: bank transfer, online payment via the IRCC website, and bank draft (certified cheque).
The applicable fees are as follows:
- Application processing fee: 630 CAD (~11,510,919 VND)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): 575 CAD (~10,521,994 VND)
- Biometrics fee: 85 CAD (~1,517,000 VND)
Note: Immigration fees are subject to change annually. You should keep your payment receipts carefully for verification purposes if needed.
Step 4: Track the Application Status Through IRCC
Sponsors must actively track the progress of their application to stay updated. You can check your application status through the official IRCC website under the “Check Application Status” section. The typical processing time ranges from 10 to 48 months, depending on the type of sponsorship (spouse, children, parents, or other relatives).
The above information provides an overview of the eligibility criteria, conditions, and application process for Canada’s Family Sponsorship immigration program. Depending on the specific category of sponsorship, there may be additional requirements or different procedures. If you are planning to apply for Canadian immigration, feel free to contact Phan Immigration for personalized consultation and comprehensive assistance throughout the entire process.
