If you are a permanent resident or a citizen of Canada, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent children to immigrate to Canada. Your common-law partner must have lived with you for at least one year within a 12-month period. A conjugal partner would mean there is permanence in relationship along with commitment similar to marriage. The partners could be of same sex or opposite sex.
Are you eligible to sponsor your family? If you are 18 years or older and are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident you are eligible to sponsor your family. You must be able to meet the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing for the sponsored people. You must be able to support them financially so that they may not need to approach the government for help. However for sponsors from Quebec the requirements may vary.
In a family sponsorship application what does undertaking mean? An undertaking refers to an oath of support to the family members you sponsor. In situations like divorce, separation and financial deterioration the undertaking remains in effect.
Is there any age limit for a dependent child? A child is considered dependent who is under the age of 19 years and depends on financial support of a parent. The child should not have a spouse or a common law partner.
How long is the undertaking as a sponsor? The length of undertaking is different for family members. For spouse and other such partners the undertaking is for three years. For dependent children 19 years or over on the day the child becomes a permanent resident the length is also for three years. However if the child is 19 years or below on the day they become a permanent resident then the sponsorship applies for a period of 10 years or till the child attains the of age 22.
Eligibility criteria for family sponsorship
For family members: If the family member is inadmissible due to criminality or as a security risk they may not be eligible for the sponsorship. They must have a police clearance, medical and backgrounds checks done for the purpose.
For Sponsor: If you did not meet certain financial obligations, for e.g. not paid for child support, did not pay back an immigration loan or alimony you will not be eligible as a sponsor. Also if you have been involved in criminal offences such as violent crimes, sexual or bodily harm etc. your application will be rejected. There are several other factors that may stop you from being able to sponsor a family member.
Are you a sponsor residing in Quebec? The province of Quebec has its own system in shape to see if a sponsor living in the province is financially able to sponsor a family member. Ministere de I’Immigration, de la Diversite et de I’Inclusion (MIDI) has its own sponsorship kit which needs to be completed for approval.
You can work while your application is in process under Canada Class If you have a legal work permit and are applying under the spouse or common–law partner in the Canada Class you can work in Canada.
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