Embarking on a journey to reunite families, the Government of Canada extends an invitation to certain family members to settle in the country as permanent residents under the Family Class category. This initiative aims to foster familial connections, allowing individuals to live, study, and work in Canada without the need for a visitor visa or letter of invitation.

However, this journey comes with specific requirements, including a minimum necessary income that sponsors must meet. To navigate this process seamlessly, it’s crucial to delve into the intricacies of family sponsorship applications, eligibility criteria, and essential requirements. Eligibility, which extends to individuals aged 18 or older, opens avenues to sponsor children, spouses, or common-law partners, committing to providing financial support.

This commitment involves meeting income prerequisites, signing an undertaking agreement, and understanding that family sponsorship does not qualify for a tax receipt in Canada. Explore the subsections below for comprehensive insights into family sponsorship intricacies, income requirements, sponsoring children born outside of Canada, and considerations related to surrogacy and immigration.

The primary goals are:

• Reuniting families
• Certain family members can settle in Canada as permanent residents.
• After obtaining permanent residency, they can live, study, and work.
• Eliminates the need for a visitor visa and a letter of invitation.
• Family class sponsorship has specific requirements, including minimum income.
• Review family sponsorship applications, eligibility, and requirements to start.
• Eligibility to sponsor a child, spouse, or common-law partner is at least 18.
• Financial support commitment for sponsored family members is essential.
• Working in Canada and meeting income requirements are prerequisites.
• Signing an undertaking agreement is mandatory for family sponsorship.
• Family sponsorship is not eligible for a tax receipt in Canada.

Who Can Be Sponsored?

• Eligibility and Requirements:
  • Minimum necessary income required from the sponsor.
  • Sponsoring children, spouses, or common-law partners is common.
  • Sponsors commit to financially supporting family members.

• Dependent Child:
  • Age limit changed to “under 22” for dependents.
  • Requirements for dependent children under the new rule.

• Brother or Sister:
  • No direct sponsorship, but options under Express Entry.
  • Siblings may be sponsored under exceptional circumstances.

• Adopted Child:
  • Completion of adoption and citizenship process required.
  • The surrogacy process and bringing the child back to Canada.

• Friend:
  • No direct sponsorship, but friends can apply for a visitor visa.
  • Criteria for a letter of invitation and visitor visa issuance.

• Relative:
  • “Last remaining relative” exception program explained.
  • Financial support commitment when sponsoring a relative.

• Private Sponsorship of Refugees:
  • Sponsor refugees through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
  • Responsibilities and support for refugees during the sponsorship.