The Family Class Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age to sponsor close family members, who wish to immigrate to Canada. To sponsor a relative for Family Class immigration to Canada, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must sign a contract promising to support the family member who wishes to immigrate for a period of three to ten years after their arrival.
The length of the agreement depends on the age of the family member being sponsored and the nature of the relationship. To apply for Family Class immigration, the sponsored relative must also sign a contract promising to make every effort to be self-sufficient.
To be eligible to sponsor a relative, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must demonstrate the financial ability to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored relative, should that be necessary.
As a general rule, the sponsor must also be physically residing in Canada in order to sponsor. An exception is made for Canadian citizens, who wish to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or children if the sponsor can demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored relative lands in Canada.
Family members eligible for sponsorship are:
- Spouses or common-law partners.
- Parents or grandparents.
- Dependent children (must be under 22 years of age unless substantially dependent for financial support because they are a full-time student, or because of disability).
- Children under 18 whom you plan to adopt Orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews who are under 18 and unmarried.
- A relative of any age if you do not have any of the family members listed above.
The Province of Quebec, according to its agreement with the Government of Canada on immigration, has a role in determining the eligibility of sponsorship applicants for residents of Quebec. This role, however, takes effect only after CIC has completed its initial assessment of the sponsorship application.
