Parents Sponsorship

Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Parents

To sponsor your parents to come to Canada, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency: You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada to be eligible as a sponsor.
2. Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to sponsor your parents.
3. Financial Ability: Sponsors must demonstrate the ability to meet the financial obligations associated with sponsorship. This includes meeting the minimum necessary income requirement, which is determined based on the size of your family unit.
4. Family Relationship: You must prove the relationship between you and your parents. This typically involves providing birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other official documents that establish the familial connection.
5. Undertaking of Financial Support: As a sponsor, you are required to sign an undertaking agreement with the Canadian government. This agreement states that you will financially support your parents for a specific period, usually 20 years, to ensure they do not rely on social assistance.

It’s important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria is just the first step in the sponsorship process. There are additional requirements and documentation that need to be fulfilled to complete the application successfully. Working with an experienced immigration lawyer, like those at Titan Law, can help ensure that you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria and provide strong supporting documentation for your sponsorship application.

Financial Requirements for Sponsors

Sponsors are required to meet specific financial obligations when sponsoring parents. This includes demonstrating the ability to support them financially, without relying on government assistance, for a specified period.

Here is an overview of the financial requirements for sponsors based on the number of people being sponsored and the size of the sponsor’s family unit:

Meeting the minimum necessary income requirement is crucial to sponsor your parents successfully. Our lawyers can assist you in understanding the specific financial obligations and help ensure that you gather the necessary documentation to demonstrate your financial capacity.

Parents Sponsorship Application Process

Receiving approval for parents sponsorship is the desired outcome of the sponsorship application process. Here are the key aspects of the approval process:

1. Application Submission: Once you have completed the sponsorship application and included all required documents, it is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for review. It’s essential to ensure that your application is complete and accurate to maximize your chances of approval.
2. Application Processing: IRCC will review your application to verify that it meets the necessary requirements and that you have provided sufficient supporting documentation. They will assess the genuineness of your relationship with your parents and ensure that you meet the financial obligations.
3. Background and Security Checks: As part of the approval process, both sponsors and sponsored parents may undergo background and security checks. These checks are conducted to ensure the admissibility of all individuals involved in the sponsorship.
4. Medical Examination: Sponsored parents may be required to undergo a medical examination to assess their health and admissibility to Canada. This examination helps ensure that they do not have any medical conditions that would pose a risk to public health or safety.
5. Approval and Visa Issuance: If your sponsorship application is approved, IRCC will issue a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) document to your parents. They will need to present this document when they arrive in Canada to obtain their permanent resident status.

Processing Times and Fees

Processing Times:

Processing times for Parents Sponsorship applications can vary depending on various factors. As of June 2023, the current estimated processing times are:

1. Sponsorship Application Processing: The processing time for the sponsorship application itself is approximately 20 to 24 months. This includes the time taken by IRCC to review the application, conduct background checks, and make a decision.
2. Visa Processing: Once the sponsorship application is approved, the visa processing time for the sponsored parents varies. It can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the individual circumstances and the visa office responsible for processing the application.

Please note that these processing times are approximate and subject to change. It’s essential to stay updated with the latest information from IRCC and consult with our experienced immigration lawyers at Titan Law for the most accurate processing time estimates.

Fees:

The fees associated with sponsoring parents to Canada include:

1. Sponsorship Fee: The sponsorship fee is CAD $1,040. This fee is paid by the sponsor and covers the processing of the sponsorship application.
2. Principal Applicant Fee: The principal applicant, which is the sponsored parent or grandparent, is required to pay an application fee for their permanent resident visa. The current fee for the principal applicant is CAD $1,050.
3. Biometrics Fee: Biometrics, which include fingerprinting and a photograph, are required for certain applicants. The biometrics fee is CAD $85 per person or CAD $170 per family.

It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change. Additional fees may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the application.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Sponsoring your parents to come to Canada may present certain challenges during the application process. Here are some common challenges and tips on how to overcome them:

1. Financial Requirements: Meeting the minimum necessary income requirement can be a challenge for some sponsors. To overcome this, you can explore alternative sources of income, such as including the income of your co-signer or the sponsored parent or grandparent themselves, if applicable. Additionally, working with an experienced can help you navigate the financial requirements and explore all available options.
2. Documentary Evidence: Providing sufficient and accurate documentation to establish the genuineness of the relationship can be a challenge. Ensure you gather comprehensive proof of your family ties, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, photographs, joint financial records, and communication records. Organize and present the evidence in a clear and organized manner to support your application.
3. Medical Inadmissibility: If a parent or grandparent has a medical condition that is deemed a risk to public health or safety, it may result in a refusal of the application. In such cases, seeking medical opinions, providing additional documentation, or exploring medical admissibility waivers can help address this challenge. Consulting with an immigration lawyer is crucial in navigating complex medical admissibility issues.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

In some cases, sponsorship applications for parents may be refused by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, there are options available to address refusals and appeal the decision. Here is an overview of the appeals process and how to handle a refusal:

2. Refusal Reasons: When a sponsorship application is refused, IRCC provides a detailed explanation of the reasons for the refusal. It is essential to carefully review these reasons to understand the specific grounds on which the application was rejected.
3. Assessing the Refusal: Once you have identified the reasons for refusal, consult with an experienced immigration lawyer to assess the validity of the decision. They can provide insights into the strength of your case and advise on the best course of action.
4. Reconsideration or Appeal: Depending on the circumstances, you may have two options to challenge a refusal:
5. Reconsideration: If you believe there was an error in the decision-making process or if you have additional information that was not considered, you can request a reconsideration of the application. This involves submitting a request to IRCC to review the application again based on the new information or clarification provided.
6. Appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD): If the refusal is based on substantive grounds, such as the genuineness of the relationship, you may be eligible to appeal to the IAD. The IAD is an independent tribunal that reviews sponsorship appeals. It is crucial to meet the strict deadlines and follow the proper procedures when filing an appeal to the IAD.
7. Professional Legal Representation: When dealing with a refusal or appeal, seeking legal representation from experienced immigration lawyers is highly recommended. They can analyze the refusal reasons, build a strong case, gather additional evidence if necessary, and advocate on your behalf throughout the appeals process.