Family Class Sponsorship

The following are general guidelines for sponsoring members of the "family class". Sponsorship process is fairly complex. We specialize in family class sponsorship. We help our clients deal with the practical ramifications of these issues. We professionally guide and lead our clients to fulfill all the formalities associated with sponsorship. Sometimes genuine sponsorship cases are refused because the cases are not presented in the right manner and the applicants have to go through an arduous process of appeal. You can obtain our professional services at a very reasonable rate.

If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and are at least 18 years old, you may, subject to certain conditions, sponsor members of your immediate family for permanent residence in Canada. Immediate family members include your spouse, common-law or conjugal partners; dependant child, parent or grandparent; an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild (under 19); and any relative if the Canadian sponsor does not have another close relative who is in Canada or who can be sponsored to come to Canada.

• Sponsoring your spouse
• Sponsoring parents or grandparents
• Sponsoring children or adopted children

1) Sponsoring your spouse

If you are a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen there are few restrictions for sponsoring your spouse (or common-law or conjugal partner). Spouses and common law partners may be sponsored from within Canada, although in this instance, there is no right of appeal if the application is denied. Canadian citizens are also allowed to sponsor their spouse while living outside Canada, but they must intend to live in Canada with their spouse when they take up residence in Canada.

According to CIC announcement on May 18, 2005, out of status spouses can also be sponsored from within Canada. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, marriage to a Canadian does not automatically entitle you to live in Canada - your spouse must sponsor you for immigration to Canada. With an inland application, an open work permit can be obtained once the application has been approved in principle.

Under the interim policy for same-sex couples, sponsorship of a same-sex partner is effected in the same way as sponsorship of an opposite-sex partner; provided a couple have lived together for at least one year, they are considered for immigration purposes to be common-law partners, or if they marry in Canada, to be spouses.

2) Sponsoring parents or grandparents

As you are undertaking to sponsor your relatives, you will need to show proof that your income meets the guidelines. Your spouse can co-sign if he/she agrees to. If your parents or grandparents are wealthy, and you are not, they may need to legally "arrange" an income for you.

3) Sponsoring children or adopted children

It is always possible to sponsor your own children provided they are less than 22 years of age. You can sponsor your children if they are more than 22 years of age provided they are full time students and are financially dependent on you or if they are physically or mentally handicapped. You can also sponsor your adopted children with same general considerations but there are certain safeguards and conditions. To find out more, please contact us.

Other categories may be available to sponsor your close relatives. The specific details may vary on case to case basis. We provide free initial consultation. You are encouraged to contact us before you initiate the sponsorship process.