| This article covers Family Class immigration to | | | | may sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, |
| Canada. It explains the requirements and overall | | | | or conjugal partner while residing outside Canada if |
| process to become a permanent resident of | | | | they can show they will live together in Canada |
| Canada using this visa category. This is important | | | | when the application is approved. |
| information for many prospective migrants, since | | | | Usually the sponsor does not have to show a |
| at the time of writing (June, 2007) this category | | | | specific amount of income when sponsoring a |
| is expected to account for more than 25 percent | | | | Spouse, Common-Law Partner or Conjugal |
| of the total visas issued by Canadian Embassies | | | | partner, but sponsors who are receiving social |
| and High Commissions worldwide. | | | | assistance (unless this is for reasons of disability) |
| Persons who are eligible to sponsor | | | | are ineligible to sponsor, and undischarged |
| Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection | | | | bankrupts may not meet the requirements to |
| Act and associated Regulations, a Canadian citizen | | | | sponsor. |
| or permanent resident of Canada who is aged at | | | | When filing a sponsorship application, the sponsor |
| least 18 is allowed, subject to certain conditions, | | | | is obliged to agree to support the sponsored |
| to sponsor their spouse or certain members of | | | | person's basic needs, if they are unable to provide |
| their immediate family for permanent residence in | | | | for themselves, for a period of 3 or 10 years. |
| Canada. | | | | The application to sponsor is filed at a Case |
| Persons who may be sponsored | | | | Processing Centre in Canada, and if the sponsor is |
| The list of persons who may be sponsored in the | | | | found eligible, the permanent residence application |
| Family Class is limited and clearly defined. Only the | | | | will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate |
| following may be sponsored: | | | | visa office for processing. |
| • Spouses, Common-Law Partners, and | | | | Accompanying family members |
| Conjugal Partners aged 16 and over | | | | It is important that all dependent family members |
| • Parents and Grandparents | | | | of the principal applicant for permanent residence |
| Parents and grandparents may be sponsored, | | | | are listed on the application. Even if family |
| however the sponsor has to show more than a | | | | members are non-accompanying it is normally |
| specified income, which is calculated based on the | | | | advisable for them to undergo medical |
| size of their family unit when the persons who | | | | examinations and, if over the age of 18, to |
| are being sponsored are included. | | | | provide police clearance certificates. If this |
| • A dependent child of the sponsor, | | | | procedure is not followed then the family |
| including an adopted child | | | | members are precluded from ever being |
| A child is considered dependent if he or she is | | | | sponsored in the future. |
| under age 22 at the time the sponsorship | | | | Assessment of applications |
| application is filed, provided the child is not married | | | | The above criteria are assessed strictly in |
| or living in a common-law relationship. Certain | | | | accordance with the Law. In some cases, even if |
| children over age 22 may also be considered | | | | the application would otherwise be approved, if |
| dependent if they are full-time students, or are | | | | the sponsored person or dependent family |
| mentally or physically handicapped and financially | | | | members have a prior criminal history or particular |
| dependent on their sponsor. | | | | medical problems, the permanent residence |
| • A child aged under 18 years whom the | | | | application will be refused. In these instances, or |
| sponsor intends to adopt | | | | when the application is refused because the |
| • Orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces, or | | | | sponsor does not have the necessary income, it |
| grandchildren under the age of 18 and who are | | | | may be possible to overcome the refusal on |
| not married or living in a common-law relationship | | | | appeal based on Humanitarian and Compassionate |
| • In cases where there are no persons | | | | grounds, provided that the original application was |
| in the above categories, the "last remaining family | | | | correctly completed to account for this |
| member" may be sponsored i.e. one relative of | | | | eventuality. |
| any age may be sponsored if the sponsor does | | | | Procedure when application is approved |
| not have an aunt, uncle or any family from the | | | | If the sponsorship application is successful, the |
| above list who could be sponsored or who is | | | | sponsored person is required to present a valid |
| already a Canadian citizen, Indian or a Permanent | | | | passport or equivalent travel document. The |
| Resident of Canada. In practice this situation rarely | | | | sponsored person and accompanying family |
| occurs. | | | | members will be issued with permission to take |
| Requirements to sponsor | | | | up permanent residence in Canada, which they |
| The law generally requires that the sponsor | | | | must normally do within one year of undergoing |
| resides in Canada, however a Canadian citizen | | | | their medical examination. |