Are you looking to bring your family to Canada?
There are many ways you can do this, but one of the most popular and effective is through a Family Sponsorship Application. This application allows you to sponsor your family members so they can immigrate to Canada with you.
This guide will provide an overview of the process for completing a Family Sponsorship Application. We’ll cover how long it takes, who can apply, eligibility requirements, required documents and more.
Understanding Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship is a program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members to come and live with them in Canada. The Canadian government recognizes the importance of family unity and prioritizes family reunification as a key component of Canadian immigration policy. Family sponsorship is available to spouses or common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, as well as some other relatives.
First off, let’s discuss how long it typically takes to complete a Family Sponsorship Application. The processing time varies depending on the location where your application was submitted. Generally speaking, it can take up to 6 months or more to process a Family Sponsorship Application. However, if you submit your application via Express Entry, the processing time can be significantly reduced.
Who is Eligible To Apply For Family Sponsorship
Now let’s talk about who is eligible to apply for family sponsorship.
To be eligible for family sponsorship, the sponsoring person must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and:
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Have enough income or financial resources to support your family members once they arrive in Canada;
- Agree to provide essential services (such as food, housing and clothing) needed by the relative being sponsored;
- Provide an undertaking (a legal promise) which will ensure that the relative(s) you are sponsoring don’t need social assistance from the government.
In addition, all applicants must pass medical, criminal and background checks before being granted residency in Canada.
Along with a completed application, you will also need to submit several supporting documents. This can include the following documents:
- Evidence of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
- Proof of relationship with the sponsored applicant (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.)
- A written undertaking signed by both parties
- Documents proving that you meet financial requirements
- Photo identification of sponsor and sponsored person(s)
- Additional supporting documents depending on the specific category of application.
The exact list of required documents will vary depending on the individual case so it’s important to check with an immigration consultant or lawyer for specific requirements.
Finally, it’s worth noting that there are certain conditions that must be met in order for your family member to successfully immigrate to Canada through a Family Sponsorship Application. These include things like not having a criminal record and meeting medical requirements.
Contact us
For more information about how to bring your family to Canada through a Family Sponsorship Application, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Canadian immigration consultants at Express VISA Canada. Our team of experts has years of experience helping families just like yours navigate the complex process of immigrating and will be happy to assist you in any way they can. From discussing eligibility requirements and processing times to offering advice on required documents and more – we are here to help make your move as stress-free as possible. Contact us today!
