Sponsorship
Reuniting Families in Canada
Family reunification is a key pillar of Canada’s immigration policy. Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada may sponsor their spouse (same or opposite sex) and dependent children for permanent residency. Sponsorship applications can be submitted for spouses or partners living inside or outside Canada. The spousal visa allows individuals married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to be sponsored along with their dependent children.
Sponsorship Visa – Sponsor your Spouse, Partner or dependent Child
The applicant and their spouse must demonstrate a genuine, ongoing relationship and intend to live together in Canada once the application is approved. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may also sponsor other eligible family members, including:
- Children, parents, or grandparents
- Siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren under 18 years of age, provided they are orphaned, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship
- Other relatives of any age or relationship, if the sponsor has no immediate family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Basic Requirements
- The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
- The sponsor must not have failed to provide financial support in a previous sponsorship or have alimony or immigration debts.
- The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance, except for disability benefits. Employment Insurance and student loans are not considered social assistance.
- The sponsor must not have a criminal record unless they have been pardoned.
- The sponsor must not be in prison or have declared bankruptcy, unless discharged.
- Both the sponsor and the sponsored person must have a clean criminal record or the appropriate pardons granted.
Recent Updates and Changes in 2024
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Eligibility
- Effective March 19, 2024, spouses and common-law partners of international students are only eligible for a SOWP if their sponsor is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program.
- Exceptions were made for spouses of students in certain professional degree programs such as medicine, law, and engineering.
Additional policy changes in September 2024 further restricted SOWP eligibility to spouses of master’s students enrolled in programs lasting at least 16 months.
Changes to Quebec Family Sponsorship
- In 2024, Quebec introduced a family sponsorship cap, effective June 2024 – June 25, 2026.
- The Quebec immigration department has set a limit of 13,000 family sponsorship applications over the next two years.
Income Requirements for Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
- For the 2024 intake, IRCC will invite 35,700 individuals from the existing pool of potential sponsors who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.
- Income requirements for sponsors have been adjusted to account for the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tips for a Successful Sponsorship Application
- Financial Stability – Ensure you meet the financial requirements to support your sponsored family members, including providing proof of sufficient income to cover their basic needs.
- Documentation – Gather all necessary documents, including proof of relationship, financial statements, and any required medical or criminal records.
- Timely Application – Submit your application as early as possible to avoid delays and ensure it is processed within IRCC service standards.
- Expert Guidance – Consider seeking advice from a licensed immigration consultant to ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements.
How Career Abroad Can Help
At Career Abroad, we specialize in guiding families through the sponsorship process. With over 22 years of combined experience in immigration and education, our team provides personalized support to make family reunification as smooth and efficient as possible.
We understand the importance of bringing families together and will assist you at every stage to ensure your application is accurate, complete, and meets all requirements.
Let us help you bring your loved ones to Canada and turn your family reunification dreams into reality.
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