Sponsorship

The Family Sponsorship Program is an immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members to come and live in Canada as permanent residents. The program enables eligible individuals to sponsor their spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents for immigration to Canada.

The sponsoring person must meet specific requirements, and the sponsored family members must meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered for the program. Once approved, sponsored family members will receive permanent resident status, allowing them to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.

Family Class Sponsorship

Family Class Sponsorship is a category of the Family Sponsorship Program in Canada that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members for permanent residency in Canada. The Family Class Sponsorship category includes the following groups:

1. Spouses or common-law partners

2. Dependent children

3. Parents and grandparents

4. Orphaned relatives under the age of 18 and not married or in a common-law relationship

5. Any other relative who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and is at least 18 years of age if the sponsor has no other family members listed above.

Benefits of the Family Sponsorship Program

The Family Sponsorship Program in Canada offers various benefits to both the sponsored family members and the sponsors, such as:

1. Reunification: The program allows families to reunite and live together in Canada as permanent residents.

2. Permanent residency: Sponsored family members receive permanent resident status, which allows them to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.

3. Access to social benefits: Permanent residents have access to social benefits such as healthcare, education, and other social services in Canada.

4. Work and study opportunities: Sponsored family members have the right to work and study in Canada, which can lead to various career and education opportunities.

5. Reduced processing times: The Family Sponsorship Program offers expedited processing times for certain family members, such as spouses and dependent children, which can reduce the waiting time for family reunification.

6. Support system: Sponsored family members have the support of their sponsor, who can help them adjust to life in Canada and provide financial support.

The Family Sponsorship Program provides a pathway for families to reunite and build a better life together in Canada.

Pre-requisites for being a Sponsor

1. The sponsor is required to sign a sponsorship agreement with the parent to be sponsored, which obligates the sponsor to provide financial support if necessary. The agreement also outlines that the sponsored parent will make efforts to support themselves as much as possible once they become a permanent resident.

2. Extend three years of financial assistance to a spouse, common-law companion, or conjugal partner after they become a permanent residence.

3. Support a dependent child financially for 10 years or until the child reaches the age of 25, whichever comes first.

Individuals who can apply for Family Class Sponsorship

1. Spouses or common-law partners: This includes individuals who are legally married or have been in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor for at least one year.

2. Dependent children: This includes children who are under the age of 22 and are unmarried, as well as children who are over the age of 22 and are financially dependent on the sponsor due to a physical or mental condition.

3. Parents and grandparents: This includes the biological or adoptive parents and grandparents of the sponsor.

It's important to note that the eligibility criteria for each category may vary and may depend on individual circumstances. Additionally, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and meet specific requirements to be eligible to sponsor.

Sponsorship Agreement

A Sponsorship Agreement is a legally binding document between the sponsor and the Canadian government in which the sponsor agrees to provide financial support to the sponsored individual(s) for a specific period. The agreement typically outlines the sponsor's responsibilities, including providing basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, and other needs such as health care, dental care, and education. The agreement also outlines the duration of the sponsorship, which varies depending on the category of the sponsored individual:

• Three years for a spouse, common-law partner, or romantic companion
• For dependent children, the waiting period is 10 years, or until the kid turns 22, and 3 years, or until the dependent child turns 23;
• Twenty years for a grandparent or parent

In addition to the financial commitment, the sponsor is also responsible for ensuring that the sponsored individual does not require social assistance during the sponsorship period. If the sponsored individual requires social assistance during the sponsorship period, the sponsor may be required to repay the amount of social assistance provided. Signing a Sponsorship Agreement is a mandatory requirement for sponsoring a family member to Canada. The agreement ensures that the sponsor can financially support the sponsored individual(s) and prevent them from becoming a burden on Canada's social assistance system.

Fee for Family Sponsorship Program for different categories

Adopted children and other relatives

Fees	In CAD
Sponsor your relative (22 years or older) Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee ($475), and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1,050
Sponsor your relative (22 years or older without right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($475)	550
Sponsor or include a dependent, adopted child (or child to be adopted) or orphaned relative Sponsor only a dependent child ($75 sponsorship fee and $75 processing fee) or include one on an application with your relative ($150)	150 (per child)
Sponsor your relative (under 22 years old and not your dependent child) Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee ($75), and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	650
Sponsor your relative (under 22 years old and not your dependent child, without right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($75)	150
Include the spouse or partner of your relative Processing fee ($550) and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1,050

Parents Sponsorship Canada and grandparents

Fees	In CAD
Sponsor your parent or grandparent Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee ($475), and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1,050
Sponsor your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($475)	550
Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent Processing fee ($550) and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1050
Include the spouse or partner of your parent or grandparent (without the right of permanent residence fee) Processing fee ($550)	550
Sponsor your relative (under 22 years old and not your dependent child, without right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($75)	150
Include a dependent child of your parent or grandparent	150 (per child)

Spouse Sponsorship Canada, partner, or child

Fees	In CAD
Sponsor your spouse or partner Sponsorship fee ($75), principal applicant processing fee ($475), and right of permanent residence fee ($500)	1,050
Sponsor your spouse or partner without the right of permanent residence fee Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($475)	550
Sponsor a dependent child Sponsorship fee ($75) and processing fee ($75)	150 (per child)
Include any dependent child Include any dependent child on an application with your spouse or partner ($150)	150 (per child)
Sponsor your relative (under 22 years old and not your dependent child, without right of permanent residence fee) Sponsorship fee ($75) and principal applicant processing fee ($75)	150
Include a dependent child of your parent or grandparent	150 (per child)