Last Updated on: 16th August 2024, 09:58 am

Family sponsorship

Many people who have lived in Canada will agree with how this country has demonstrated an excellent quality of life and is perhaps the reason why there are many people who are interested not only in visiting the country, but also in living and working here. One of the options to obtain Permanent Resident status in Canada would be through the family sponsorship category. Through the immigration programs of the national government, any citizen or permanent resident of Canada is entitled to family sponsorship, which will include sponsoring a spouse, conjugal or common-law partner, dependent children and other eligible relatives to allow them to migrate to the country. In the rest of this article, you will learn more about sponsoring your family to Canada to help you be prepared if you plan to do so.

Eligibility for Sponsorship

Before anything else, one of the first things that must be done is to determine if you are eligible for family sponsorship or not. According to the guidelines released by the government, to be eligible, one needs to be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and have sufficient income to be able to support the family that he is sponsoring financially in Canada. The sponsor will also be required to sign an Undertaking with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The Undertaking is a legal agreement and contract which states that the sponsor will support his / her family while they are in Canada and provide for all their necessities. Also, if for any reason the sponsor does not honour his/her agreement and the sponsored parties end up applying for and obtaining social assistance, the sponsor will be required to pay back the full amount of social assistance that the sponsored family members received while in Canada. This can also impact the sponsor’s eligibility to sign any future Undertakings and sponsor another person. One important factor to note is that, there is no explicit minimum income requirement for a spousal sponsorship application however the sponsor still has to demonstrate how they will support the applicant in Canada. It is crucial to ensure that the eligibility requirements are met as that is the main foundation of your whole application and case.  Our Immigration Consultant Toronto professionals can help ensure your case is assessed perfectly.

Requirements for People Being Sponsored

Once you have determined your eligibility for family sponsorship in Canada, the next thing to do is to determine if the person to be sponsored is going to be eligible or not. Some of the requirements that must be met include undergoing a medical examination, submission of security verifications and criminal records, obtaining a passport, and attending an interview in the Canadian embassy (if required). There are also forms that should be thoroughly understood and signed to have a grasp of what the whole family sponsorship agreement is all about.  Our Immigration Consultant Toronto professionals can help ensure that you get a full understanding of your case and that you get a positive decision on your case.

The Application Process

To put it simply, there are three steps you must complete: getting the application package, paying the application fees, and the submission of the application requirements. The easiest way to settle the fees would be to have them paid online, especially if you live outside of Canada. All of the completed application forms, including all documentary requirements, should be sent to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. The length of processing will depend on the type of application. Generally speaking, the sponsorship application is evaluated in two stages. The assessment of the sponsor will take place in Mississauga, Ontario while the assessment of the person being sponsored will depend on the visa office to which the family sponsorship application has been submitted.

Assessment of Applications

Once you have submitted the applications, they will be subjected for review, which will include checking for their completeness, eligibility, and admissibility. There are certain factors possibly affecting delays of the process, such as incomplete requirements. To check for the status of the application, simply visit the CIC website and look for the option allowing you to check the status online. Once the spousal sponsorship has been approved, prepare for the arrival and be sure to have all the papers you should present to the office in charge at the point of entry.  Our Immigration Consultant Toronto professionals will ensure that you have a smooth transition throughout your entire case and keep you informed throughout the entire process.

Why Choose Us?

Our qualified, licensed and knowledgeable Immigration Consultants in Toronto have the expertise to ensure that your application package is complete and that you meet all the necessary requirements so that you may get a positive decision on your case. By retaining our services, our professional team will handle your entire case from beginning to end for one low cost flat fee. Our firm will prepare the entire application package for you and your Immigration Consultant will be on record for the entire process so that all correspondence with CIC is processed through our office. This way you will not have to worry about any part of the process and you can have the peace of mind in knowing that your case is being handled by professionals. All you are required to do is provide us with the required documentation we need and sign the paperwork that we prepare. Contact us today and we can provide you with a free consultation and give you all the information that you need so that you can make an informed decision.

Assad Bajwa, Immigration Consultant

I'm a fully licensed Immigration Consultant based in Toronto. My goal is to make your immigration journey as smooth and successful as possible. Follow my blog to stay informed on the latest immigration updates, tips, and insights to help you achieve your goals in Canada.