Canada Family Sponsorship Visa
Family reunification is an important aspect of Canada’s immigration policy. The Canadian government recognizes the importance of family ties and allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their relatives to come and live in Canada.
This article will provide an overview of family-based visas in Canada, including eligibility requirements, application fees, and timeframes for each one.
There are several types of family based visas available for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their relatives. These include:
Spousal Sponsorship
This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners to come to Canada and live with them. To be eligible for spousal sponsorship, the sponsor must be at least 18 years old and must be able to prove that they can provide for their spouse or common-law partner’s basic needs for three years.
The sponsored spouse or common-law partner must also undergo medical and criminal checks. The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications is 12 to 24 months.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children to come and live in Canada with them. To be eligible for dependent child sponsorship, the sponsor’s child must be under 22 years old and must not be married or in a common law relationship. The processing time is 12 to 24 months.
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and live in Canada with them. To be eligible for parent and grandparent sponsorship, the sponsor must be able to prove that they can provide for their parents or grandparents’ basic needs.
The sponsored parent or grandparent must also undergo medical and criminal checks. The Canadian government accepts a limited number of parent and grandparent sponsorship applications each year, and the processing time is up to a massive up to 20 years!
Other Family Members Sponsorship
This category allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their other eligible relatives, such as brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, to come and live in Canada with them. To be eligible for other family members sponsorship, the sponsor must be able to prove that they can provide for their relative’s basic needs for three years.
The sponsored relative must also undergo medical and criminal checks. The processing time is between 12 to 24 months.
Eligibility Requirements for Family Based Visas
To be eligible to sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada, the sponsor must meet certain criteria. They must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and must be able to prove that they can provide for their sponsored family member’s basic needs for the duration of their stay in Canada. They must also not have a criminal record, be bankrupt, or be in prison.
The sponsored family member must also meet certain criteria to be eligible for a family based visa in Canada. They must undergo medical and criminal checks, and they must not be inadmissible to Canada for any reason.
Application Fees for Family Based Visas
- Spousal, Common Law Partner or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship: $1,050 CAD for the sponsorship application and $550 CAD for the principal applicant’s permanent residence application.
- Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: $75 CAD for the sponsorship application and $475 CAD for the principal applicant’s permanent residence application.
- Dependent Child Sponsorship: $150 CAD for the sponsorship application and $550 CAD for the principal applicant’s permanent residence application.
- Other Family Members Sponsorship: $75 CAD for the sponsorship application and $550 CAD for the principal applicant’s permanent residence application.
Free Visa Assessment
If you’re considering applying for a family based visa in Canada, a free assessment can be an invaluable tool to help you understand your eligibility and options. This can help you make informed decisions about your application and ensure that you have the best possible chance of being reunited with your loved ones in Canada.