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.

Family Based Visas FAQs

 

Q: What is a family based visa in Canada?

A: A family-based visa in Canada is a type of immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible relatives to come and live in Canada.

 

Q: Who can sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet certain eligibility requirements can sponsor their eligible family members for a family-based visa in Canada.

 

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for family-based visas in Canada?

A: The eligibility requirements for family-based visas in Canada vary depending on the type of sponsorship. Generally, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and must be able to provide for their sponsored family member’s basic needs.

 

Q: What types of family-based visas are available in Canada?

A: The types of family-based visas available in Canada include spousal sponsorship, dependent child sponsorship, parent and grandparent sponsorship, and other family members sponsorship.

 

Q: What is spousal sponsorship?

A: Spousal sponsorship is a type of family-based visa that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their spouses or common-law partners to come and live in Canada with them.

 

Q: What is dependent child sponsorship?

A: Dependent child sponsorship is a type of family-based visa that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children to come and live in Canada with them.

 

Q: What is parent and grandparent sponsorship?

A: Parent and grandparent sponsorship is a type of family-based visa that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come and live in Canada with them.

 

Q: What is other family members sponsorship?

A: Other family members sponsorship is a type of family-based visa that 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.

 

Q: What is the processing time for spousal sponsorship applications?

A: The processing time for spousal sponsorship applications varies depending on the country of origin of the sponsored person and can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

 

Q: What is the processing time for dependent child sponsorship applications?

A: The processing time for dependent child sponsorship applications varies depending on the country of origin of the sponsored child and can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

 

Q: What is the processing time for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications?

A: The processing time for parent and grandparent sponsorship applications can take up to 20 years due to the limited number of applications accepted by the Canadian government each year.

 

Q: What is the processing time for other family members sponsorship applications?

A: The processing time for other family members sponsorship applications varies depending on the country of origin of the sponsored person and can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

 

Q: What is the application fee for spousal sponsorship?

A: The application fee for spousal sponsorship is $1,050 CAD.

 

Q: What is the application fee for dependent child sponsorship?

A: The application fee for dependent child sponsorship is $150 CAD.

 

Q: What is the application fee for parent and grandparent sponsorship?

A: The application fee for parent and grandparent sponsorship is $1,050 CAD.

 

Q: What is the application fee for other family members sponsorship?

A: The application fee for other family members sponsorship varies depending

 

Q: Can I sponsor my same-sex partner for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: Yes, same-sex partners are eligible for spousal sponsorship in Canada.

 

Q: What is the minimum age requirement to sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old to sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my spouse if they are already in Canada?

A: Yes, you can sponsor your spouse if they are already in Canada, as long as they are not inadmissible for any reason.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my child if they are over 18 years old?

A: Yes, you can sponsor your child if they are over 18 years old as long as they are dependent on you due to a physical or mental condition, and they are not married or in a common law relationship.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my sibling for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: Yes, you can sponsor your sibling for a family-based visa in Canada under the other family members sponsorship category, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

 

Q: What is the income requirement to sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: The sponsor must meet a minimum income requirement to sponsor a family member for a family-based visa in Canada. The income requirement varies depending on the size of the sponsor’s family and the number of people being sponsored.

 

Q: What is the medical examination requirement for family-based visa applications in Canada?

A: The sponsored person must undergo a medical examination to ensure that they meet Canada’s health standards and are not a danger to public health.

 

Q: Can I appeal a family-based visa application decision in Canada?

A: Yes, you can appeal a family-based visa application decision in Canada if you believe that the decision was unfair or incorrect.

 

Q: Can I sponsor a family member who is inadmissible to Canada for criminal reasons?

A: No, you cannot sponsor a family member who is inadmissible to Canada for criminal reasons.

 

Q: What documents do I need to provide for a family-based visa application in Canada?

A: The documents required for a family-based visa application in Canada vary depending on the type of sponsorship. Generally, you will need to provide proof of identity, relationship, and financial support.

 

Q: Can I sponsor more than one family member for a family-based visa in Canada?

A: Yes, you can sponsor more than one family member for a family-based visa in Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and can provide for their basic needs.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my spouse if I am not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?

A: No, you cannot sponsor your spouse if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my parents if I am a Canadian citizen but I do not live in Canada?

A: Yes, you can sponsor your parents if you are a Canadian citizen and you do not live in Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

 

Q: What is the financial undertaking requirement for family based visas applications in Canada?

 

A: The sponsor must sign a financial undertaking to ensure that they will provide for their sponsored family member’s basic needs for a certain period of time.

 

Q: Can I sponsor my friend for family based visas in Canada?

A: No, you cannot sponsor your friend for a family-based visa in Canada. The sponsorship must be for an eligible family member.

Subject Matter Expert at Migration Made Simple | Website | + posts

Jacqueline Chow is an international immigration and visa expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. With a background in law and a passion for helping people, Jacqueline has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable source of information and advice on all aspects of immigration and visas. She has worked with clients from all over the world, including high-net-worth individuals, professionals, skilled workers and families. As a sought-after speaker and commentator Jacqueline has been featured in various media outlets and has given talks on immigration and visas at conferences and events around the world.