Family Reunification Canadian Immigration Program

Sponsor a spouse sponsor their spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children, adopted children, parents, grandparents.

The Canadian immigration Family Sponsorship program allows Canadians to sponsor their spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children, adopted children, parents, grandparents.  A foreign national does not automatically become Canadian when they have Canadian family ties. They must apply to immigration Canada, by submitting an appropriate application according to their case.  In the case of children born outside of Canada to a Canadian citizen parent, they are likely Canadians, but must apply for a citizenship certificate.

Following are some factors which make you eligible to sponsor a foreign family member:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada of at least 18 years and over.
  • Intention to live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Note, a permanent resident living outside of Canada is not eligible to sponsor.
  • Ability to illustrate that you can financially provide for the basic needs of the person (s) you want to sponsor. Example, have a suitable home and income to accommodate and nourish your family member. Most cases the sponsor does not need to illustrate a specific amount of income according to the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). Unless, you are sponsoring a spouse or partner and their dependent children, who has dependent children of their own, or a dependent child you are sponsoring has a dependent child of their own.
  • Not receiving social assistance, unless if its for a disability issue.
  • You were not sponsored by a spouse or partner less than 5 years ago since becoming a permanent resident.
  • You are not financially responsible for a previous sponsorship. Meaning, you’re not still bound by the undertaking to take care of the previous sponsored person. Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must sign a sponsorship agreement valid for a certain period of time depending who the person being sponsored is.  The length of an undertaking is
    • 3 years for a spouse, common-law, conjugal partner, from the day they become a permanent resident.
    • 3 years for dependent child/children over 22 years of age, from the day they become a permanent resident.
    • 10 years for dependent child under 22 years of age, from the day your dependent child (or the dependent child of your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner) under 22 years of age becomes a permanent resident, or until the child becomes 25 years old, whichever comes first.

Some reasons that may make you ineligible to sponsor your spouse, partner or child, such as:

  • You were convicted of violent criminal offences, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada.
  • You are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary.
  • Didn’t pay back, an immigration loan, a performance bond or a court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support.  This does not apply if you live in Quebec.
  • Didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor in the past. Does not apply if you live in Quebec.
  • Declared bankruptcy and are not discharged. Does not apply if you live in Quebec.
  • Receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
  • You received a Removal Order to leave Canada.

How to apply to Sponsor? You may visit the IRCC website

OR

Contact us: Normandeau Immigration Consultation