Have you heard about the family class sponsorship program is a way to bring your family into Canada? And you are looking to find more about this program.
This guide is just for you. You will learn all you need to know about the family class sponsorship program in Canada.
What is Family Class Sponsorship Program about?
If you are a Canadian or you are a permanent resident, you have the opportunity to bring in your family to also become a permanent resident, and live in Canada as long as they want.
They are open to enjoy every benefit that comes with being a Canadian. They can work, go to school, receive good health care, etc.
Family Members That Can Benefit From Family Class Sponsorship Program
Here is a list of family members that can enjoy this program:
- Your spouse. This can be your husband or wife. This is also open to people in same-sex marriages.
- Your common-law partner
- Conjugal partner or fiancé. This is open to people who are in a relationship but cannot be with their partner because of some circumstances.
- Your dependent child or your spouse’s dependent child. If you have a child that needs you or that is very much dependent on you. This program will beneficial for them. This can also be a grandchild, who is also dependent on you.
Note that sponsored spouses and partners must live with their partners for two years before they get their permanent residence approved.
The permanent residence will be retrieved if the relationship is not maintained for two years. This measure is taken because of those who may want to abuse this means, to get their permanent residence.
There are two stages involved in the program. This first involves the partner who is a Canadian applying to become a sponsor. You can sponsor a spouse that is either inside (while on a visitor visa) or outside Canada. They are called inland or overseas sponsorship respectively.
Common-Law Sponsorship to Canada
We can say a common-law partner is a partner who has lived with the partner for a year in a conjugal relationship. No document backs it up that a couple stays together but the day starts counting when they start living together.
Remember that I said there is no specific document proving that they lived together for a year. Still, they have to prove that they have lived together for a year.
The documents that can be used to confirm that they have been living together are:
- Joint accounts
- Joint credit cards
- Properties that were bought in the names of the couple.
- Invoices that show the names of the couple
- The lease shows the name of the couple.
- Bills that were sent to any of the couples at the same address
Same-Sex Sponsorship
It has been a while since that same-sex marriage has been approved in Canada. So, there is a provision for a sponsorship program for same-sex couples.
They will go through the same process as heterosexual couples. The requirements are also the same.
Read: Confirmation Of Permanent Residence In Canada 2022
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor your Spouse?
Wondering how much spouse sponsorship costs? First, you need to be aware that you will need to pay a lawyer to assist with the process.
Then there are government fees for the application process. I will be stating the amount for each sponsorship class. Note that this is for one person.
For the sponsor, the amount is $75.
For the principal applicant, the amount is $475
For principal applicants under 22 years that are the dependent child of the sponsored, or about to be adopted, or an orphaned family that is yet to get married, neither in a common-law relationship, the amount is $75.
For family members of age 22+, and that are married, engaged, or in a common-law relationship, the amount is $550.
For a family member that is under 22 years of age, and that is not married, engaged or in a common-law relationship, the amount is $150.
For the right of permanent residence for a spouse or common-law partner, the price is $490.
Requirements for Sponsorship to Canada for the Sponsor
There are basic requirements expected of the sponsor to be allowed to be a sponsor. The requirements include:
- You must already be 18
- You must be a citizen of Canada or a permanent resident.
- You must be living in Canada or should be able to prove that you will be living in Canada by the time the sponsorship is approved.
- You must be able to prove that you can meet the basic financial need of the sponsored
There are cases where you cannot sponsor someone. Here they are:
- You have sponsored before within the last three years.
- You are in bankruptcy protection
- You receive social assistance other than a disability
- You have past criminal records.
- If you as a person were sponsored within the last few years
- If you are in prison
It is important that you know that you are going to be responsible for the sponsor between the first three to ten years in the country.
What are your Responsibilities as a Sponsor?
As I said earlier, you are very much responsible for the sponsors, but what are the responsibilities?
One of the things that you will be doing a lot is filling out forms. The forms you will form include sponsorship undertaking, sponsorship agreement, etc.
The sponsorship undertaking is where you affirm that you will provide things like food, shelter, utilities, clothes, etc.
What are the requirements to be sponsored?
As there are requirements for the sponsor, you might be wondering that will there be requirements to be sponsored?
- You must have gone on medical examination.
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- You will need a passport, and an exit visa if required.
- You might need to be interviewed.
What is the Possible Reason Why your Sponsorship Might be Rejected?
Your sponsorship can be refused because of the following:
- If by any means IRCC detects any form of falsehood, the sponsorship application will be rejected.
- The supposed sponsor does not have the financial capacity.
- Necessary documents were not included in the application process.
- The person to be sponsored does not fit into the family class, which the program is for.
- The person to be sponsored does not meet the medical requirements.
Can Parents and Grandparents be a Beneficiary?
They are not able to be a beneficiary but can come as a visitor with a visitor, or a super visa that allows them to stay up to two years.
The documents needed to process this are documents that can prove your relationship with the individual, which includes your birth certificate as the sponsor.
Final Thoughts
This is a detailed guide about family class sponsorship for permanent residence in Canada. I hope this helps you.