Family & Spousal Sponsorship
Canada Family & Spousal Sponsorship
Canada recognizes the importance of family and spousal support for its citizens and residents, therefore, the Family Class Immigration and Spousal Sponsorship procedures are simplified and applicants have fewer requirements compared to other streams of immigration. IRCC does not limit the annual number of applications.
If you are a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident living in Canada you may apply for sponsorship of your spouse, common-law partner, children, parents, and/or grandparents. Here is the list of programs that are focused on reuniting family members. You may sponsor more than one relative/group of relatives, once the 3 year period after sponsoring the previous one has passed and you can still meet all the sponsorship requirements:
Spousal Sponsorship
According to Canadian immigration regulations, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence. In the course of application approval, both the Canadian citizen and the foreign national must be approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Both parties must prove that their relationship can be defined under three categories.
- Spouse
- Common-law partner
- Conjugal partner
Dependent Child Sponsorship
If you are sponsoring a partner, their dependent children must be included in the application form. It is important to note that Canadian citizens cannot be sponsored. Also, if you have a child who was born after you have become a Canadian citizen, they might already be a Canadian citizen.
An individual is considered a dependent if he or she
An individual is considered a dependent if he or she
- is under 22 years old and does not have a spouse or a common-law partner
- is over 22 years old but has not been able to support him or herself due to a physical or mental condition
- is over 22 years old but he or she has depended on their parents for financial support before turning 22
Super Visa
If you want your relatives to be able to visit you but settling permanently in Canada is not an option for them, you can always apply for the Super Visa, a multi-entry visa that will allow them to enter Canada over the span of 10 years.
A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada, of at least 18 years of age, who can prove that they are not receiving social assistance (for reasons other than disability) and are able to provide for the basic needs of the person they are sponsoring. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada once the sponsored relatives become permanent residents.
A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada, of at least 18 years of age, who can prove that they are not receiving social assistance (for reasons other than disability) and are able to provide for the basic needs of the person they are sponsoring. If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada once the sponsored relatives become permanent residents.
