Other/Lonely Family Member Sponsorship

Parents, grandparents, spouses, and children are the main targets of the Canadian Family Sponsorship program. However, under certain conditions, the Lonely Family Member Sponsorship provision may allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor siblings and other family members.

Who Can Sponsor Other Family Members?

Conditions must be met to sponsor a relative who is not a spouse, partner, dependent child, parent, or grandparent.

Conditions for Sponsoring

You may be able to sponsor one relative of any age or relationship if you do not have a child, parent, grandparent, sibling, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or living spouse who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Duration of Financial Commitment to Sponsorship

When sponsoring a family member, sponsors must sign an undertaking pledge to provide the sponsored person with financial support for a predetermined amount of time. Depending on the relationship, this commitment’s duration varies.

• Three years as a spouse, a common-law partner, or a conjugal partner.
• Dependent Child (under 22): for ten years or until the child’s twenty-fifth birthday whichever comes first.
• Dependent Child: 3 years old (age 22 or older).
• 20 years as a parent or grandparent.
• Ten years for other relatives.

It is vital to remember that this commitment endures even in the event of a change in circumstances such as the sponsored individual obtaining Canadian citizenship, your separation or divorce, or financial difficulties.

Restrictions on Sponsorship Due to Bankruptcy or Criminal Record

An individual may not be able to sponsor a family member due to specific circumstances.

• Bankruptcy: A family member cannot be sponsored if you are still in bankruptcy.
• Convicted Individuals: Those who have been convicted of violent or sexual offenses or of offenses that cause bodily harm to a family member may not be allowed to sponsor family members.

Before applying to sponsor a family member, all these problems must be resolved.

Sponsoring Siblings to Canada

In general sibling sponsorship is restricted to certain circumstances.

• Siblings Who Are Orphaned: If your sibling is under the age of 18, unmarried, or not in a common-law relationship you may sponsor them.
• Lonely Family Member Provision: As previously stated if you have no other close family members in Canada you might be able to sponsor one sibling or other relative of any age or relationship.

Steps to Apply for Family Sponsorship

Step 1: Verify that you are eligible to sponsor.

Step 2: Verify that the family members you plan to sponsor are eligible.

Step 3: You must apply to the Ministry of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the federal level and to the Ministry of Immigration Francization and Integration (MIFI) at the provincial level if you reside in Quebec. Together with your sponsorship application you must submit your family members or relatives’ applications for permanent residence (PR) status. Your PR application will be examined after it has been determined that you are qualified to sponsor.

Step 4: The application fee for family sponsorship must be paid.

Step 5: Apply to the correct address. The government website offers a sponsorship guide for download which contains this information.

How CWC Can Help?

We understand that the process of lonely family member sponsorship can be difficult to navigate. Our team of expert consultants guarantees a successful and easy application process. We make sure all required paperwork is accurate and comprehensive. Contact us today for a FREE assessment!