How to apply for a family sponsorship in Canada

Title: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Apply for Family Sponsorship in Canada

Introduction:

Family sponsorship is a crucial pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their family members who are living abroad. This process allows eligible individuals to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, dependent children, parents, and grandparents to come and live in Canada as permanent residents. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to apply for family sponsorship in Canada.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before applying for family sponsorship, it is important to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To be eligible to sponsor a family member, you must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada, able to prove that you can support the sponsored person financially, and not be in default of any previous sponsorship undertakings.

Step 2: Choose the Right Family Member to Sponsor

You can sponsor the following family members under the Family Class sponsorship program:

– Spouse or common-law partner

– Dependent children

– Parents and grandparents

– Other eligible relatives in exceptional circumstances

Step 3: Complete the Application Forms

Once you have determined your eligibility and chosen the family member you want to sponsor, you will need to complete the appropriate application forms. The main forms you will need to fill out include the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking, and the Generic Application Form for Canada.

Step 4: Gather Required Documents

Along with the completed application forms, you will need to gather various supporting documents to submit with your sponsorship application. These documents may include proof of your relationship with the sponsored person, proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, proof of financial support, and any other documents requested by IRCC.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fees

There are processing fees associated with family sponsorship applications, which must be paid at the time of submitting your application. The fees may vary depending on the type of family member you are sponsoring and whether the sponsored person is inside or outside Canada.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Once you have completed the application forms, gathered all the required documents, and paid the necessary fees, you can submit your family sponsorship application to IRCC. You can either submit your application online through the IRCC website or by mail to the appropriate IRCC office.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision

After submitting your family sponsorship application, you will have to wait for IRCC to process your application and make a decision. The processing times may vary depending on the type of family member you are sponsoring and the volume of applications being processed at the time.

Step 8: Prepare for the Arrival of the Sponsored Person

If your family sponsorship application is approved, you will be notified by IRCC, and the sponsored person will be issued a permanent resident visa to come to Canada. You will need to make arrangements for their arrival and help them settle in Canada.

Conclusion:

Family sponsorship is a valuable opportunity for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their loved ones and build a life together in Canada. By following the steps outlined in this guide and ensuring that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can successfully apply for family sponsorship and bring your family members to Canada to start a new chapter in their lives.