Sponsorship of Parents, Grandparents and Other Family
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada can sponsor their parents and grandparents for immigration to Canada. In limited circumstances other relatives can also be sponsored, for example where a family member in Canada has no other family members in Canada or abroad that they could sponsor.
OVERSEAS SPONSORSHIP OF PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS
- Requires proof by birth certificate (or other) of relationship between Sponsor or Co-Sponsor (i.e. children in Canada) and Immigrant (i.e. parent to be sponsored).
- Requires proof of income of Sponsor and Co-Sponsor (if applicable) sufficient to support parent or grandparent.
- Income required is calculated by adding number of members in Sponsor’s family (including children and spouse) and the number of members in Parent’s family (including spouses and other dependent children).
- Possible to sponsor without sufficient income, however, more complicated process.
|
3 to 4 Year Processing Time
(Longer times in some visa offices)
|
IN-CANADA SPONSORSHIP OF PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS
- Requires parent to be in Canada (usually) at time of sponsorship in the “humanitarian and compassionate” category.
- Requires unique circumstances and a high dependency of parents on children. For example, parent is widowed in country of nationality and children are only source of financial and emotional support.
- Case can be refused for non-unique circumstances, for example: younger parents who are independent, parents with significant health problems and other circumstances.
|
6 to 12 Months Processing Time
(Longer in complex circumstances)
|
SPONSORSHIPS OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
- In limited circumstances, Canadian sponsor can sponsor brother, sisters, uncles, aunts or other family members.
-
|
Processing times vary
|
The following information applies to all categories of spousal sponsorships.
SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS
- If Sponsor is a Permanent Resident of Canada, Sponsor must reside in Canada at the time of sponsorship.
- If Sponsor is a Canadian Citizen, Sponsor can reside outside of Canada at beginning of sponsorship, but must prove they will return to Canada once sponsorship is approved.
- Sponsor is required to have a minimum level of income (in most circumstances).
- Sponsor cannot have recent serious criminal convictions in Canada.
- Sponsor cannot be an undischarged bankrupt or be in default of immigration loans or child support or spousal maintenance orders.
|
IMMIGRANT REQUIREMENTS
- Immigrant cannot have criminal convictions for which rehabilitation has not been obtained.
- Immigrant cannot have medical problems which would cause significant expenses to Canadian medical or social services (for example, medication conditions requiring surgery).
- Immigrant must obtain Authorization to Return if they were previously deported from Canada plus other requirements.
|
GOVERNMENT APPLICATION FEES
- Initial Application Fees: CDN$550 per adult immigrant and CDN$150 per child under 18.
- Landing Fees (due if application is approved): CDN$490 per adult immigrant 18 and over.
|
