Family-Class-Sponsorship

Family reunion is one of the pillars of Canada’s Immigration system, Canada is one of the most family-friendly countries in the world and has welcome immigrants to strengthen its economy. Through sponsorship it is possible to reunite members through family sponsorship in Canada including spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and other eligible applicants come to Canada as Permanent residents.

Spousal / Common-Law Sponsorship

Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP)

Spousal / Common-Law Sponsorship

Canada is one of the perfect countries to settle with family and enjoy the quality life. The family sponsored visas are the key feature of the Canada immigration, which allow the permanent residents and citizens in Canada to sponsor their eligible family members including spouse, parents, grandparents, dependent children, etc. for Canada permanent residency. However, both the sponsors (i.e. Canadian Permanent residents and citizens) and the foreign national (the sponsored person) must be:

 authorized by IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) in order to do the same

 able to support their partner financially IN order to receive a visa through this immigration program, the sponsor must be related to the sponsored person as a:

Spouse

Common-law Partner

Conjugal Partner

Types of Sponsorship

The Spousal Sponsorship Program has two types – Outland Sponsorship and Inland Sponsorship

 a) Outland Sponsorship The Outland sponsorship route is usually chosen when the sponsored person is living outside Canada. The outland applications are generally received and processed at the visa office in applicant’s home country or where they have resided legally for at least one year. However, it is possible for a spouse/common-law partner living in Canada to apply through the Outland program as well.

b) Inland Sponsorship Inland pathway is the other option available to apply for Spousal Sponsorship program. Inland Sponsorship is the situation where both the partners are together in Canada and the foreign spouse/common-law partner being sponsored has the temporary status in Canada, i.e. visitor, worker student, etc. A person being sponsored for Spousal Sponsorship Visa may also eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit to work in Canada, while the sponsorship application is being processed.

Eligibility Criteria to be a Sponsor In order to sponsor their spouse or Common-law-partner, the applicant must

be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

be at least 18 years or above;

demonstrate that he/she is not getting any social assistance (apart from disability if any);

be able to demonstrate that he/she can provide basic needs to the sponsored person, i.e. his/her spouse or partner; and

fulfill Quebec’s conditions for sponsorship (If the sponsor is residing in Quebec province of Canada)

Application processing time

Canada gives highest priority to the processing of Family Class applications, therefore IRCC aims to process applications submitted through the Spousal Sponsorship Program within 12 months.

Super Visa For Parents & Grandparents

If you are a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may be able to bring your parents or grandparents visit you. On a regular Visitor Visa (also known as Temporary Resident Visa) the usual six-month stay granted might not seem long enough. It could be that you’re missing some special family time. Fortunately, there is another option specifically targeted to parents and grandparents – Super Visa that creates a flexible arrangement for families to meet and stay in Canada for longer durations.

What is a Super Visa?

The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a temporary visa that allows the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada to visit Canada for extended periods. Super visas usually grant entry to Canada for up to two years, with the ability to apply for extensions of one year at a time.

Important Criteria to Apply for a Super Visa

Simply being parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizens and permanent resident does not automatically make people eligible for a Super Visa. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extremely specific requirements set for Super Visas. Since this type of visa is not for the purposes of living in Canada as permanent resident, IRCC wants reassurance that the visitor will return to his or her country before the expiration of their visa. To prove that, applicants must establish legitimate ties to their home that includes stating their financial situation and listing family members living in that country. Besides, IRCC could also consider the applicant’s purpose of the visit; his or her family and financial situation; the overall economic and political stability of the home country, among others.

The Application Process

Applicants are required to apply for a super visa from outside Canada. The application process is almost similar to that for a regular TRV. However, additional documentation is required to make sure that the parents and grandparents will be well-supported during their time in Canada. This requirement includes:

A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada.

Documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum (see table below);

Proof of parental relationship with child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate that names applicant as a parent.

Provide evidence of medical insurance coverage (at least $100,000 coverage) with a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry; and

A document confirming that applicant had an immigration medical exam.

The Application Process

The child or grandchild of the applicant must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) under the Super Visa eligibility criteria. The size of the family unit includes the parent(s) or grandparent(s) being sponsored.

Size of family unit	Minimum necessary income (CAD)
1 person (the sponsor)	$24,949
2 persons	$31,061
3 persons	$38,185
4 persons	$46,362
5 persons	$52,583
6 persons	$59,304
7 persons	$66,027
More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add	$6,723

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

Canada’s Parent and Grandparent Program, or PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canada Permanent residency. Sponsored parents and grandparents get enormous benefits and privileges including the right to live and work in Canada anywhere, access to publicly-funded health care and various other social benefits, which ultimately qualify them to become Canadian citizens.

Parent and Grandparent Program 2020 Eligibility

To be eligible for the PGP 2020, both the sponsor and the person(s) being sponsored need to fulfill certain eligibility requirements. PGP sponsorship applicants must:

be 18 years of age or older.

be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;

meet certain income requirements (Minimum Necessary Income-MNI) ; and

prove that they have sufficient income financially support the family members they are sponsoring.

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)

The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is one of the most important eligibility factors for the PGP. However, applicant will have to provide this proof of necessary income only after interest in sponsorship has been expressed via the online form.

The invited applicants will have to provide proof that they meet the income requirements for each of the 3 tax years – 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Total number of people applicant will be responsible for	2020	2019	2018
2 people	$32,899	$41,007	$40,379
3 people	$40,445	$50,414	$49,641
4 people	$49,106	$61,209	$60,271
5 people	$55,695	$69,423	$68,358
6 people	$62,814	$78,296	$77,095
7 people	$69,935	$87,172	$85,835
If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add:	$7,121	$8,876	$8,740

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also introduced a new temporary public policy, which have eased the income requirement for the 2020 tax year on family-class immigration applicants to allow people to sponsor their loved ones, even if they lost income due to coronavirus. The income requirement for the 2020 tax year has been reduced to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%. IRCC will also require a signed undertaking from interested sponsors that be financially responsible for the sponsored family member, and that the sponsored person will make every effort to support themselves. The length of the undertaking is 20 years across Canada. However, for the residents of Quebec, the duration of that commitment is 10 years.

Application Process

Step 1: Interested individuals must submit an online sponsorship interest form.
Step 2: Invitations to apply will be sent to potential sponsors.
Step 3: Potential sponsors receive an invitation to apply and submit their completed application.