IRCC has kept family sponsorship as one of the largest immigrant categories in the annual immigration levels plan. Individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent
IRCC has kept family sponsorship as one of the largest immigrant categories in the annual immigration levels plan. Individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents (as well as those who are registered as Indians in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act) may sponsor loved ones to immigrate to Canada and possibly settle there permanently. Whereas they are not permitted to sponsor their siblings unless there are exceptional circumstances. Continue reading to find out more about these special circumstances, the eligibility requirements for sponsors, and your options if you are unable to sponsor your sibling for permanent residence (PR) in Canada.
Who can be the sponsor?
To be able to sponsor family members for permanent residence in Canada:
- You must be at least eighteen years of age.
- You must possess citizenship in Canada, be a permanent resident of Canada, or be an Indian person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act.
- They live in Canada, except for Canadian citizens who may sponsor their spouse, conjugal partner, common-law partner, or dependent children even if they are not physically present in Canada. If they can prove they intend to stay in Canada once the sponsored individuals arrive,
- The sponsor agrees to meet the sponsors’ basic needs for the duration of the undertaking.
- Possess enough income to sustain the relative or relatives they are sponsoring the specific requirements for this depending on the relative being sponsored.
What conditions are to be met to sponsor a sibling for PR?
Although you are normally not allowed to sponsor your siblings for permanent residence, there is an exception to this rule, which is known as the lonely Canadian rule. If an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild satisfies the following requirements, you may sponsor them under this exception.
- They have a biological or adoptive relationship.
- Their father and mother are no longer with them.
- They are younger than eighteen.
- They are not in a common-law or conjugal relationship, nor are they married.
Even so, you are unable to sponsor your sibling for permanent residence if;
- One of their parents is alive.
- Nobody is aware of the whereabouts of their parents.
- Their parents left them.
- While one or both of their parents are living, they are being cared for by someone else.
- One or both of their parents are incarcerated.
Through what other choices can I bring my siblings to Canada if I am unable to sponsor them
The most accessible path for many Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents is to assist their siblings in establishing their eligibility for permanent residence, typically through one of Canada’s economic immigration programs, as siblings frequently do not qualify for sponsorship.
Through Education
The simplest and most direct method to accomplish this is to assist your sibling in locating a course or program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Only DLI educational institutions in Canada are authorized to accept international students that will qualify them for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduation. Your sibling may then work in Canada and become eligible for one of the economic immigration programs offered by the nation (such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or Express Entry-managed streams). Additionally, there is compelling evidence that immigrants with Canadian training and work experience fare better in the nation over the long run.
LMIA-Based Work Permits
If you do not wish to pursue an educational path for your siblings, you may also consider assisting them in obtaining a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Should they be successful, they will be granted an LMIA-based work permit. An LMIA is the document that the employer within Canada needs before hiring a worker from another country. Whereas, LMIA application is approved when it produces a neutral or favorable result that no Canadian citizens or permanent residents could have filled the position. Moreover, employing a foreign national will not have a detrimental effect on Canada’s workforce or economy. Eventually, the recipient can build eligibility for Canadian PR through one of the nation’s economic immigration programs.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
Lastly, the International Experience Canada (IEC) program may offer you an open work permit (OWP) if you are from a nation with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. Through these programs, people from countries with which Canada has trade agreements can apply for OWPs, and foreign nationals from those countries can work in Canada if they meet the age requirements. Since OWP holders are not restricted to a single employer or job, they have far greater freedom than those with LMIA-based work permits, which permit them to work for most employers in most industries. This is just one more way to help your sibling become eligible for one of the nation’s economic immigration programs and ultimately secure permanent residence.
Conclusion
If you are unsure where to begin your sibling’s immigration journey, don’t worry because CWC is here to help. With over 20 years of experience in Canadian immigration services, we have helped thousands of families explore the best pathways for family reunification. Contact us today for a free assessment.