Sponsorship Applications

One of the aims of the Canadian immigration policy is to facilitate family reunification. The policy allows permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their family members, and in some cases, relatives to immigrate to Canada. There are three types of partner sponsorship:

Spouse Sponsorship: In this type of sponsorship, you can sponsor someone you are legally married to, as long as the marriage is recognized in the country where it took place. The term “spouse” also applies to same-sex marriages because it is recognized under Canadian law. IRCC will need a marriage certificate as proof.

 Conjugal Sponsorship: Sometimes, due to circumstances beyond their control, a couple may be unable to marry or live together. The reason could be immigration barriers or sexual orientation. Canada recognizes such situations and refers to this type of couple as conjugal partners. The relationship must have been ongoing for 12 months.

 Common-Law Sponsorship: You can sponsor your partner if you have been living together for at least 12 consecutive months, even if you are unmarried. You will need to substantiate this claim by providing documents like joint leases, contracts, bills, photographs, et cetera.

These are some of the requirements for the three partner sponsorship routes:

• The couple must be at least 16 and 18 years of age at the time of marriage and sponsorship, respectively.
• The sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident
• The couple must sign an undertaking with IRCC that the sponsored person will not seek social services for three years, effective from the time the person becomes a permanent resident
• The couple must intend to live in Canada when the sponsored partner becomes a permanent resident if the sponsor resides outside Canada

Dependent Child and Adopted Child

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you could be eligible to sponsor your dependent and adopted children.

As of October 2017, the Canadian government amended the age of a dependent child to 22. IRCC can classify a person over the age of 22 as a dependent if the person is financially dependent on the parent(s) and has been since before the age of 22 and cannot be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental disability.

Specified Orphaned Relatives

This family sponsorship category allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their relatives like nieces, nephews, siblings (including step-siblings), and grandchildren. The sponsored relative must be under 18, orphaned, and not married or in a common-law relationship to be eligible.

Other Relationship

Suppose you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who does not have a close family member or relative who is either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. You do not have a family member you can sponsor. In that case, you are allowed to sponsor a distant relative regardless of age or relationship. Such relatives could be uncles, aunts, independent children, and cousins.

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship

A child who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor the parents or grandparents if the person:

• Is at least 18 years of age
• Signs an undertaking with IRCC that the sponsored individual(s) will not seek social assistance for a reason other than for a disability
• Meets LICO + 30% for the last three tax years, et cetera.