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Family Sponsorship

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Family Sponsorship

One of the objectives of Canada’s immigration program is to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives and family members. However,the Family Class Sponsorship provides Canadian citizens with an opportunity to sponsor their family members to live with them in Canada and become Canadian permanent residents. After becoming permanent residents, they can live, study and work in Canada.

Who can become a sponsor?

A Sponsor is:

  • At least 18 years old
  • A Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident, who is living or intends to live in Canada
  • Not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.

And able to provide the basic needs for:

  • Yourself,
  • Your spouse or partner,
  • Your spouse or partner’s dependent child(ren) (if applicable)
  • Your dependent child(ren) (if you’re sponsoring only your dependent child).

Who can you sponsor?

The Family Class broadly consists of the following three categories of sponsorships:

  • Spousal, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
  • Parents, Grandparents and Relative Sponsorship
  • Children and other dependents

Whenever a sponsor is sponsoring a family member whether it is your dependent child or spouse/common-law partner, you promise to support them financially. Therefore, sponsor has to sign a sponsorship undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children. Basic needs are:

  • Food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living,
  • Dental care, eye care and other health needs that aren’t covered by public health services.

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you must make sure the people you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll have to pay back what they received during the time you are legally responsible for them. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve repaid the amount.