Through Family Class Sponsorship, Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of 18 years of age and older can sponsor close family members for immigration to Canada.
The Sponsor signs a contract stating that they will support the sponsored family member for a period of three to ten years after their arrival. The length of the agreement depends on the age of the family member being sponsored, and the nature of the relationship. To apply for Family Class immigration, the sponsored relative must also sign a contract promising to make every effort to be self-sufficient.
To be eligible, the Sponsor must demonstrate financial ability to be able to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored relative, if necessary. As a general rule, the sponsor must be residing in Canada. An exception is made for Canadian citizens, who wish to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or child, if the Sponsor can demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored relative lands in Canada.
Under Family Class Immigration, you can sponsor your:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Parents or grandparents
- Dependent children (must be under 22 years of age unless substantially dependent for financial support because they are a full-time student, or because of disability)
- Children under 18 years whom you plan to adopt
- Orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews who are under 18 years and unmarried
- A relative of any age (only if you do not have any of the family members listed above)
The Province of Quebec, according to its agreement with the Canada on immigration, has a role in determining the eligibility of sponsorship applicants for residents of Quebec. This role however takes effect only after CIC has completed its initial assessment of the sponsorship application.