Family Sponsorship in Canada | 2023 Eligibility & Process

The Family Sponsorship program from the Canadian government provides an avenue for you as Canadian citizens and permanent residents to Sponsor your Spouse, Partner, or Child to come and live in Canada permanently. This program plays a pivotal role in reuniting families, allowing them to build a new life together and contribute to the cultural diversity of Canada. The article explores the Family Sponsorship for a spouse, partner, and child program in detail.

You may be able to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent children to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents if you meet the requirements, and if you meet them, you will have to:

• Give them financial assistance.
• Check to see whether they require government Social Assistance.

After applying, the individuals you sponsor must give their biometric information. The time required for them to provide their biometrics is included in this processing time.

What are the eligibility criteria for someone to Sponsor your Spouse, Partner, or Child?

• You have to be over 18 years old.
• You either should be a citizen of Canada, a permanent resident or have a Canadian Indian Act Registration.
  • To sponsor individuals who are becoming permanent residents, Canadian citizens residing outside Canada must prove their intention to live in Canada.
  • Permanent residents living outside Canada are ineligible to sponsor anyone. 
• You have to show that you are not getting assistance from the government for any purposes other than those related to a disability.
• You should be able to support the basic requirements of the person you want to sponsor.

If you reside outside of Quebec

You must commit to financially support the people you are sponsoring for a particular duration of time to be considered a sponsor. This commitment is what you refer to as an undertaking. The undertaking binds you to return whatever provincial social assistance your sponsored family members get during that period.

Additionally, during the undertaking period, you and the sponsored family members must agree to specific obligations. This is known as the sponsorship agreement.

According to the sponsorship agreement,

• You’ll meet the minimal requirements of the family members you’ve sponsored.
• The individual you sponsor will work hard to provide for their family and themselves.

When you apply, You must fill out and sign a paper that contains the undertaking and the sponsorship agreement. 

Requirement for income of Sponsor

You only have to provide evidence of sufficient financial resources if:

• The dependent child you’re supporting has one or more dependent children of their own, or
• You are supporting a partner or spouse who is the parent of a dependent kid who has one or more children of their own.

The Financial Evaluation form instructions describe how to complete the form and how much money you’ll need. When you download your application package, the Evaluation form will be available.

If you live in Quebec

You must satisfy Quebec’s standards for immigration sponsorship when Quebec approves you as a sponsor. You are required to sign an agreement with the government of Quebec.

The Quebec government will evaluate your income in charge to qualify you as an eligible sponsor.

Who is not eligible to support their spouse, partner, or child?

• You have not met the basic eligibility requirements.
• You are a temporary resident, which means you have a visa or authorization to enter Canada to visit, study, or work.
• Your application for permanent residency is still pending.
  • You must be eligible for permanent residency when you submit your sponsorship application.
• You don’t have enough money to support the people you wish to sponsor. (If relevant)
• You are in prison or jail.
• You did not repay:
  • A performance bond
  • Immigration loan
• You were found guilty of committing or trying to commit a violent crime, a crime against a relative, or a sexual offense inside or outside of Canada.

You may not qualify to sponsor your spouse, partner, or child for several other reasons. Read the whole instruction manual for additional information on eligibility requirements.

Who can you sponsor?

You are eligible to Sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or child.

1. Your partner must be:
   • Lawfully wed
   • At least 18 years old to you, and
   • can be either sex
2. Your common-law partner is someone:
   • Who isn’t legally married to you 
   • can be of either sex. 
   • They must also be at least 18 years old 
   • in a relationship with their partner for a minimum of one year. You’ll have to provide documentation of your common-law union.
3. Your Conjugal partner is eligible for sponsorship if:
   • Your partner is not legally married or in a common-law relationship with you.
   • can be either sex
   • Your partner is at least 18 years old.
   • Your partner has a relationship with you for at least one year and 
   • Cannot live with you or get married for important immigration and legal reasons such as sexual orientation or marital status. You have to submit evidence that you couldn’t live together or get married in the nation of your Conjugal partner.
4. Dependent children are those who satisfy the following conditions:
   • Children under the age of 22 and
   • They are not married or in a common-law relationship

4.1. If the following conditions are met, children who are 22 years old or older are considered dependents:

• Individuals who are unable to provide for themselves financially due to a medical or mental problem, 
• Those who have relied on their parents for financial assistance before they were 22.

 Use the online tool to find out if a child qualifies as a dependent.

How to apply to Sponsor your Spouse, Partner, or child?

1. Applying for sponsorship 
2. Apply to be sponsored for permanent residency
   1. If you are interested in working in Canada, you can apply for an open work permit
3. Pay your application charges 
4. Send more details as the process continues.
5. Submit your application online 
6. Check your application’s status online

After you complete your application process, the government will review your application. You can track your application and check for progress. You can make updates to your application if required. You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) when the IRCC reviews your application when the processing time is over.

Family sponsorship for spouses, partners, and dependent children in Canada reflects the country’s commitment to family values and the importance of strong family bonds. The program provides a pathway for families to stay together, support their well-being and facilitate their successful integration into Canadian society. By promoting family unity, Canada embraces its role as an inclusive and compassionate nation where families can build a brighter future together.