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- alpsimmigrationservices@gmail.com
- 445 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H3N 1R1, Suite: 204
Family Sponsorship
Welcome to Alps Immigration Services, where we specialize in guiding you through the process of Canadian family sponsorship programs. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident eager to reunite with your loved ones, Canada offers dedicated pathways to make it happen. These programs prioritize keeping families together by enabling eligible family members to gain permanent residency.
Family sponsorship is one of the most popular routes to Canada. Designed to simplify the process for citizens and permanent residents, it allows them to sponsor spouses and immediate family members with expedited processing times. At Alps Migration, we believe families shouldn’t have to wait, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Who You Can Sponsor?
- Spouse, domestic partner, or long-term partner
- Dependent child (including a child you intend to adopt): must be 21 years old or younger
- Parents and grandparents: must meet the eligibility and legal requirements for immigration.
- Orphaned relatives: includes siblings, nephews, nieces, grandsons, or granddaughters who are under 18 years old, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship.
- Other relative: Other relatives (under exceptional circumstances as a “Lonely Canadian”)
- Note: For other relatives, you can only sponsor those who have no other family members residing in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria To Sponsor A Family Member
- Canadian Connection: You must be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: You must either reside in Canada or have clear intentions to return once your spouse or partner becomes a permanent resident.
- Financial Support: You must have the ability and commitment to meet your family member's financial needs for a period of three years.
Who Isn’t Eligible To Sponsor A Relative?
- Legal Constraints: If you’re currently in prison, you might not be eligible.
- Financial Responsibilities: If you have outstanding alimony or child support payments, or are currently facing bankruptcy, you may not be eligible.
- Social Assistance: If you have received social assistance for reasons other than disability, you may not be eligible.
- Past Sponsorship: If you have previously sponsored a relative and failed to meet the sponsorship agreement, you may not be eligible.
- Past Sponsorship: If you have previously sponsored a relative and failed to meet the sponsorship agreement, you may not be eligible.
- Immigration Loan: If you have failed to repay an immigration loan or have a history of late or missed payments, you may become ineligible.
What Are The Income Requirements To Sponsor?
You’ll need to make a formal commitment by signing a Sponsorship Agreement with the family member you’re sponsoring. This commitment means you’re agreeing to provide for their essential needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and any health-related expenses not covered by public health services.
In some sponsorship cases, there are additional requirements. Specifically, you’ll need to meet or exceed a certain income level known as the Low Income Cut-off (LICO). This applies when:
– You’re sponsoring a spouse or partner with a dependent child, and that child has their own children.
– You’re sponsoring a dependent child who has their own dependent children.
– You’re sponsoring a parent or grandparent.
If you reside in Quebec, different rules apply. Quebec has its own sponsorship requirements, and the Quebec immigration ministry will assess your income. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of your income as you proceed with the sponsorship process.
| Sponsored Person | Length of Undertaking (excluding Quebec) |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child | 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child 22 years of age or older | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
| Other relative | 10 years |
For residents of Quebec, the duration of the undertaking also varies based on the sponsored family member and their age:
| Sponsored Person | Length of Undertaking |
|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child under 16 years of age | Minimum 10 years (or until age 18), whichever is longer |
| Dependent child 16 years of age and older | Minimum 3 years (or until age 25), whichever is longer |
| Other relatives | 10 years |
The Impact of COVID-19 on Family Sponsorship
COVID-19 has brought some changes to family sponsorship, but the process remains ongoing. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to accept applications for family reunification, although the pandemic has affected timelines.
To overcome these challenges, the Canadian government is working to expedite the process and ensure families are reunited:
– **More Staff**: IRCC has expanded its team by 66% to speed up the review of spousal sponsorship applications and reduce waiting times.
– **Digital Innovation**: A pilot project is in progress to use new technology to digitize paper applications, resulting in faster processing times.
– **Remote Solutions**: IRCC is exploring options such as remote interviews and streamlining biometric processes to help reduce delays.
If you received Employment Insurance (EI) or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), you can still sponsor your family member, provided you meet the sponsorship criteria. Even if the person you are sponsoring received EI or CERB during the sponsorship period, it will not affect your obligations.
At SkyPod, we’re here to guide you through every step of the sponsorship process. Let us help you bring your loved ones to Canada smoothly and efficiently.