Family Sponsorship
Overview of Canadian Family Sponsorship Immigration Program
The Canadian Family Sponsorship Immigration Program is a program designed to allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada. This program is part of the Family Class Immigration program in Canada, which allows for family reunification and is one of the pillars of Canadian immigration policy.
The Family Sponsorship program in Vancouver is a way for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones who are living abroad. This program is open to several different types of family members, including spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
Spousal Sponsorship
Spousal Sponsorship
Parents Sponsorship
Parents Sponsorship
Grandparents Sponsorship
Grandparents Sponsorship
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How to Apply for Family Sponsorship
To apply for family sponsorship in Canada, the sponsor must first complete an application package that includes various forms and documents. The forms and documents that are required depend on the type of relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored family member.
The first step in the process is to determine whether the sponsor is eligible to sponsor a family member. To be eligible, the sponsor must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and be able to financially support the sponsored family member.
Once the sponsor is deemed eligible, they must complete the appropriate forms and gather the required documents. The application package includes forms for the sponsor, the sponsored family member, and any dependents. The documents required may include proof of identity, proof of relationship, proof of financial support, and medical and police certificates.
Canadian Family Sponsorship Program Requirements
To sponsor a family member to come to Canada, there are several requirements that must be met. These requirements include the following:
- Financial Support: The sponsor must be able to provide financial support to the sponsored family member for a period of three to ten years, depending on the relationship.
- Relationship: The sponsor must have a qualifying relationship with the sponsored family member. This can include spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents.
- Age: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
- Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Criminal Record: The sponsor must not have a criminal record and must not be in default of any immigration loan or court-ordered support payments.
Application for Family Sponsorship in Canada
The application process for family sponsorship in Canada can take several months to complete. The processing time varies depending on the type of relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored family member, as well as the country where the sponsored family member is currently living.
The first step in the application process is for the sponsor to complete an application package, which includes various forms and documents. Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), who will then issue a decision on whether the sponsored family member is eligible for immigration to Canada.
If the application is approved, the sponsored family member must then complete the necessary paperwork to obtain a family class visa. This may include a medical exam and a police certificate, depending on the country of origin.
Once the sponsored family member has obtained their visa, they can travel to Canada to live with their sponsor. The sponsored family member will become a permanent resident of Canada and will be able to live, work, and study in Canada.
What to Do if Family Sponsorship Application Got Refused: Reasons and Next Steps
Family sponsorship is an important and often emotional process that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members for permanent residency in Canada. However, the application process can be complicated and time-consuming, and there is always a risk that the application may be refused. In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why family sponsorship applications may be refused and provide guidance on what to do if your application has been refused.
Reasons for Family Sponsorship Application Refusal
There are several reasons why a family sponsorship application may be refused. These reasons can include:
- Incomplete or incorrect application: One of the most common reasons for application refusal is an incomplete or incorrect application. It is important to ensure that all the required forms and supporting documents are included and that they are filled out correctly.
- Insufficient proof of relationship: The Canadian immigration authorities require proof of the relationship between the sponsor and the sponsored family member. This can include documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and adoption papers.
- Financial ineligibility: Sponsors are required to meet certain financial requirements to demonstrate that they can support the sponsored family member. If the sponsor does not meet these requirements, the application may be refused.
- Medical inadmissibility: The sponsored family member may be deemed medically inadmissible if they have a medical condition that is considered a danger to public health or safety.
- Criminal inadmissibility: If the sponsored family member has a criminal record or has been involved in criminal activity, they may be deemed criminally inadmissible.
Next Steps if Your Family Sponsorship Application is Refused
If your family sponsorship application is refused, it can be a devastating and overwhelming experience. However, it is important to remember that there are options available to you.
- Appeal the decision: If you believe that the decision to refuse your application was made in error, you may be able to appeal the decision. The appeal process can be lengthy and complicated, but a skilled immigration lawyer can help guide you through the process.
- Reapply: In some cases, it may be possible to reapply for family sponsorship. However, it is important to address the reasons for the previous refusal and ensure that your new application addresses these issues.
- Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application: It takes into consideration the unique circumstances of the applicant and can be a viable option for those who have had their family sponsorship application refused
- Explore other options: If family sponsorship is not an option, there may be other pathways to bring your family member to Canada. A skilled immigration lawyer can help you explore these options and determine the best course of action.
How Titan Law Can Help
If you’re looking to sponsor a family member in Vancouver to come to Canada, our lawyers at Titan Law can provide expert assistance in the application process. Applying for family sponsorship can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with our guidance, we can help to ensure that the process goes smoothly and efficiently.
Our lawyers are highly knowledgeable in the area of family sponsorship and can provide a comprehensive assessment of your eligibility to sponsor a family member. We can also assist with the preparation and submission of the necessary documents, including sponsorship applications and supporting documents. Our team will work closely with you to ensure that your application meets all the requirements of the Canadian immigration authorities.
In addition to our expertise in family sponsorship, our lawyers are also highly skilled in navigating the Canadian immigration system. We can provide guidance on the best pathways for your family member to enter and stay in Canada, as well as advice on the various options available for their permanent residence.
At Titan Law in Vancouver, we understand the importance of family reunification and are committed to providing compassionate and personalized legal support for those looking to sponsor their loved ones to come to Canada. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your family sponsorship application.
FAQs
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are at least 18 years old and meet the necessary income requirements can sponsor certain family members to become permanent residents of Canada. The family members that can be sponsored include:
- Spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners
- Dependent children
- Parents and grandparents
- Brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren who are orphaned, under 18 years of age, and not married or in a common-law relationship
The processing time for family sponsorship applications can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of application, the country of origin of the sponsored family member, and the volume of applications being processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Generally, spousal and dependent child sponsorship applications tend to have shorter processing times, while parental and grandparental sponsorships can take longer. In 2021, the estimated processing time for spousal sponsorship applications is approximately 12 months, while the estimated processing time for parental and grandparental sponsorships is approximately 24 months.
To apply for family sponsorship, you will need to follow these steps:
- Check your eligibility: Before you begin the application process, you should make sure that you are eligible to sponsor a family member to Canada.
- Gather the necessary documents: You will need to gather all the necessary documents to support your application, including proof of your status in Canada, proof of your relationship with the sponsored family member, and proof of financial support.
- Complete the application package: You will need to complete the application package and ensure that all the required forms are filled out accurately and completely.
- Submit the application: You will need to submit your application to IRCC, along with all the necessary supporting documents and the required application fee.
- Wait for a decision: Once your application has been submitted, you will need to wait for a decision from IRCC.
Not everyone is eligible to sponsor a relative to Canada. You may not be eligible to sponsor a relative if:
- You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- You are less than 18 years old
- You are not able to financially support the sponsored family member
- You have been convicted of certain crimes, such as sexual offenses or offenses against a family member
To sponsor a family member to Canada, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is at least 18 years old
- You must demonstrate that you can financially support the sponsored family member and that you meet the necessary income requirements
- You must provide proof of your relationship with the sponsored family member, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate
- You must not be in default of any previous sponsorship agreements
- You must not have been convicted of certain crimes, such as sexual offenses or offenses against a family member
It is important to note that there may be additional requirements depending on the type of family sponsorship being applied for.