Family sponsorship is an immigration category available to the family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Family sponsorships allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor family members to immigrate to Canada with a path to permanent residency. There are three types of family sponsorships, spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, dependent child, and parents or grandparents. In this blog, we will break down what you need to know to sponsor your family to Canada.
This guide will provide a step-by-step process for immigrating to Canada.
Family Sponsorship Requirements and Eligibility
If you are interested in sponsoring your family to immigrate to Canada, you must meet the following criteria.
- You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Meet certain income requirements (see MNI section below)
- Sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored family member(s) for a period of time after arrival.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is the minimum income required by the sponsor to demonstrate that they have the financial means to support the sponsored family member(s) upon their arrival in Canada. The MNI is calculated based on the size of the sponsor’s family unit and is updated annually by the Canadian government.
The sponsor will have to provide proof of their income for the past three years in the form of a Notice of Assessment from the Canadian Revenue Agency. If the sponsor does not meet the MNI, they do have the ability to use a co-signer to provide additional financial support.
Total number of people you’ll be responsible for | 2021 |
2 people | $32,898 |
3 people | $40,444 |
4 people | $49,106 |
5 people | $55,694 |
6 people | $62,814 |
7 people | $69,934 |
If more than 7 people, for each additional person, add: | $7,120 |
Sponsored Family Requirements
In addition to the sponsor meeting the requirements mentioned above, the sponsored family member must also meet eligibility requirements. These include the following passing medical and criminal background checks. In certain cases, the sponsored applicant will have to provide evidence of language proficiency. There is also an age limit for dependent children of the age of 22 and who are not married or in a common-law relationship. Children who are over the age of 22 may still be considered dependent if they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22 and are unable to financially support themselves due to a disability.
Are Extended Family Members Eligible to be Sponsored?
There are certain situations in which you may be eligible to sponsor family members outside of the three mentioned. You may sponsor an orphaned brother or sister, an orphaned nephew/niece, or an orphaned grandchild. To sponsor an orphaned family member who is related to you, you must demonstrate that you have no other eligible relatives to sponsor and that the orphaned family member has no other relatives who can care for them.
SuperVisa Canada
Many individuals confuse the SuperVisa with a pathway to permanent residency and Citizenship. The SupeVisa is an alternative to a traditional visa which allows parents and parents who wish to visit family in Canada for extended periods of time. It allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to two years per visit without renewing their status. The SuperVisa is valid for up to 10 years. This means the visa holder is able to visit their family multiple times during the period it is valid without having to reapply for a new visa.
If your intention is to bring a parent or grandparent to Canada with the intention of them becoming a permanent resident of Canada you would need to sponsor them with the Family Sponsorship program mentioned above or an alternative immigration program.
The best way to sponsor family members to immigrate to Canada is through the Family Class sponsorship program. However, navigating the immigration system can be complex, and it’s important to seek the guidance of a professional immigration consultant to help you understand the eligibility requirements, choose the best program for your situation, and prepare your application. A professional consultant can also keep you informed of any changes to the immigration laws and regulations and advise you on potential issues that may arise during the application process.
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