Family Sponsorship Program

You can sponsor the following relatives under Family Sponsorship Program

• Parents and grandparents.
• Spouses, common- law or conjugal partners 18 or plus years of age.
• Dependent children (under 22years), including adopted children.
• Brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces or grandchildren who are orphans; under the age of 18 and neither married nor in a common-law relationship.
• If you intend to adopt a child, he should be under 18 years only.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s highest priorities is Family reunification. Canadians and Permanent Residents who wish to sponsor a close relative for Permanent Residence can use this category but they need to qualify first. Those who are being sponsored by a Canadian or PR family member, usually a spouse or a parent do not have to meet any selection criteria but must be medically examined and must not be inadmissible. The one who is sponsoring must sign the undertaking that he will provide full assistance to the sponsored person so as to help them in establishing in Canada. Period of undertaking varies and it depends upon the relationship.

Legal Liabilities of Sponsors and Co-Sponsors

Sponsors may add a Co-Sponsors but both must be Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian Citizens must be over eighteen (18), must be residing in Canada. A Canadian Citizen living outside Canada must show that he has a plan to return to Canada with the sponsored relative. Both sponsors and Co-Sponsor must not be bankrupt or in default of a previous undertaking in any earlier sponsorship or must not be in prison or must not be facing any removal order or being charged with a serious criminal offense.

Sponsors will have to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) in certain cases as set out by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Especially in the case of Parents and Grand Parents, it is LICO plus 30%.

The Sponsors are responsible for providing the essential needs for the person being sponsored and their dependents for a period of three to twenty years after the sponsored relative’s lands in Canada. If the sponsored relative receives social assistance during the period of undertaking, the Sponsor is liable to pay to the authorities any money given to the sponsored relative as social assistance. Authorities may also take legal recourse if required.
If the sponsor cannot meet the minimum financial requirements for Parent and Grandparent sponsorship he may add a Co-Sponsor. Married or common-law partners who are Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian citizens may be Co-sponsors. The obligations and responsibilities of the Co-Sponsor are the same as of the sponsor. They must sign the application forms as well as Undertaking to Support jointly with the sponsor.