Family Sponsorship

To sponsor a family member to come to Canada, both the sponsor and the sponsored individual must meet specific eligibility requirements. Here’s an overview of the criteria:

Eligibility for the Sponsor:

1. Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident: Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible to sponsor.
   
2. Be at least 18 years old: Sponsors must be of legal age.
   
3. Financial Stability: Sponsors must demonstrate the ability to support their relatives financially. They must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability reasons).
   
4. Agree to Provide Financial Support: Sponsors must sign an agreement to financially support the sponsored family member, ensuring they do not rely on Canadian social assistance.
   

Eligibility for the Sponsored Person:

1. Be a Family Member: The sponsored person must fall under the eligible family categories (spouse, child, parent, or other specified relatives).
   
2. Be Medically and Criminally Admissible: Sponsored individuals must undergo medical and criminal background checks to ensure they meet Canadian immigration standards.
   

Types of Family Sponsorship Programs:

1. Spousal Sponsorship: Sponsoring your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
   
2. Child Sponsorship: Sponsoring your dependent children under the age of 22 or disabled children who rely on you for financial support.
   
3. Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: Reuniting with parents or grandparents through a sponsorship program that allows them to become permanent residents.
4. Other Relatives: In some cases, you can sponsor other relatives, such as siblings or nieces and nephews, under specific circumstances.