Connecting Families
Canada offers a number of immigration programs that give Canadians the opportunity to sponsor their family members to Canada. Canadian Family Class Sponsorship programs are some of the most generous family reunification programs in the developed world. Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible to sponsor family class members who wish to bring their loved ones to Canada through the following programs.
Family Sponsorship
All You Need To Know
Spousal, Common-Law or Conjugal Partner Sponsorship
A Canadian Citizen and/or Permanent Resident may sponsor a spouse, common-law partner, or Conjugal Partner for Canadian permanent residence, whether they are living in Canada with a valid temporary visa or residing abroad, under this program.
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
Canadian Citizens and/or Permanent Residents may sponsor their parents and grandparents to Canada as a Permanent Resident through this program. In order to sponsor a parent or grandparent, citizens and permanent residents will be required to demonstrate that they can financially support their family by meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the size of their family unit. They must also agree to financially support their sponsored family members if needed. Sponsors who are unable to permanently support their parent or grandparent may be eligible for a Super Visa, a long term, multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Child or Other Dependent Child Sponsorship
Under this program Canadian Citizens and/or Permanent Residents can sponsor their dependent and adopted children to join them in Canada. The Canadian Government has a strong commitment to keeping families together whenever possible.
Other Close Relative Sponsorship
Other close relatives who can be sponsored to Canada are orphaned brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren. In extremely specific situations, any other relative by blood or adoption can be sponsored by Canadians.
Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa allows the parents and grandparents of Canadian Citizens and/or Permanent Residents to come to Canada as visitors. The super visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for 10 years.
To be a sponsor:
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You must be 18 years of age or older.
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You must be a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
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You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits you to provide financial support for your relative, if necessary. This agreement also says the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support her or himself.
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Depending on the person you sponsor, additional obligations may be imposed.