How to Sponsor Someone to Canada? [Complete Guideline]

Did you know you can sponsor your spouse, relative, or child to migrate to Canada and live with you? If not, then check out this article to know the details. The days of being separated from your family are passed if you are over 18, financially capable, and a permanent resident of Canada.

You can have your loved ones immigrate to Canada, even though the process involves a lot of legal documentation and time. But, before you start filling out the form, make sure you understand the sponsorship amount, validity, who you can support, and other pertinent details.

We have compiled all of the information regarding sponsorship in this article to make your journey smoother. Without further ado, let’s get started.

What Does Sponsoring Someone Mean in Canada?

Sponsoring someone to Canada to become an immigrant refers to the document that states the other person will take all the financial responsibility for a certain amount of time. Sponsorship is granted differently in different states.

The Federal Government gives a list of relatives that you can sponsor. It is always better to check the list of requirements and the people you can support according to the state or region you are residing in. You might have to show your job, tax return, residence, sufficient money for funding, and good traveling history in your document section.

If you can convince the following statements to the consulate, the chances of the sponsorship being granted will be high:

• You are providing the sponsor to reunite with your family member
• They are also qualified to earn their living in Canada
• They have good citizenship history in the country they currently live in, and the chances of the sponsorship being granted will be high.

What Are The Steps to Sponsor Someone?

Before proceeding to the official procedures, you need to know the eligibility criteria for becoming a sponsor.

• Your age is over 18 years
• You are a Canadian citizen or have Permanent Residency or Indian status under the Indian act
• You are not receiving any social assistance
• You have sufficient funds to support you and the person you want to sponsor
• For the spouse, you need to show the proof of legal marriage

If you cannot get married in your country, you need to mention the reasons preventing you from legal marriage in your country.

The Stages of the Sponsorship Process:

You need to pass two steps to complete the sponsorship procedure. In the first step, you need to fill out the application form for sponsorship. At the same time, your relative needs to apply for a permanent residency from the respective country.

Generally, you will have to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 01: Complete the Application Process:

You need to get the application package that includes an instructions guide, forms, and required documents checklist.

It is crucial to read the guide thoroughly before filling out the sponsorship form. You should try to gather all the information about the whole process. Your responsibilities, eligibility criteria, and amount of money- are the primary factors you need to check out.

And most importantly, submit all the papers in the documentation checklist, as your application will get delayed if you miss any document.

On the other side, the person you want to sponsor will inform accurate information about their close family members. The factors, for example, verification for criminality checks, medical reports, and their educational or occupational status, will be stated in the form.

This stage is vital if the person you are sponsoring will try to support someone else in the future.

Step 02: Complete the Payments:

The online payment method is easy to follow and the fastest way to complete the second step. You will have to pay fees for the assessment and processing. Since the amount fluctuates depending on where you live, the check is better twice before starting the payment process.

You will be paying fees for:

• Assessment of the documents of you (the sponsor), the person you want to sponsor, and their family members
• Permanent Residence fee
• Biometrics fees
• Medical Examination fees
• Police Verification Certificate fees

You need to pay close attention to the biometric fees and the date the authority will give you. You will have to attend the appointment and provide your fingerprints and digital photo.

After your part is done, the consulate office will inform your relative with a letter to provide the biometrics in the related service provider.

Moreover, the police certificate will prove that you do not have any criminal record. According to the current rules, the police certificate will be valid till 1 year of the issue date. And the authority may ask for a new certificate as they please.

So, don’t forget to check your emails regularly, as delaying these scheduled meetings will make your process lengthy.

Step 03: Submission:

Submit the application form and attach the documents through the mailing address mentioned in the instruction guide for your province.

Step 04: Assessment Process:

There is nothing much to do in this step as the embassy will initiate the assessment procedure after you apply.

During the first review, they will get asses

• if your form is complete or not,
• if you have attached all the documents or not
• and if you have paid all the fees.

Your application will go through further processes when the authority can tick all the checkboxes. You will receive an application number in the acknowledgment letter. And the process will continue for the assessment of whether you meet the parameters of being a sponsor or not.

Step 05: Check the status of your application:

Now it’s time to check your application’s refusal or approval status. You may see Refused status when the consulate office does not consider you a sponsor. In such a case, you need to figure out the reason behind the refusal.

Your decision letter will mention the reason behind the refusal, and if it allows, you can apply again.

On the contrary, the approved letter will inform you that the assessment process of the person you want to sponsor has begun.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

The application procedure will take around 12 months if you provide all the documents correctly. Yet, the authority will check the relationship with the member of your family you want to sponsor. Depending on your case, your application may take a longer duration of time.

Length of Undertaking:

Undertaking refers to the promise you make that you will be financially responsible for the person you are sponsoring. And the duration during which you will pay all the bills for that person is the length of Undertaking.

Depending on the relationship and age, the duration ranges from 3 years to 20 years.

Length of Undertaking usually depends on the following factors:

• Residency (undertaking length is the same all over Canada except Quebec)
• Relationship with the person you want to sponsor
• Age of your dependent children who wish to migrate

It is pretty normal that you can change your mind while going on with the process. In that case, you need to fill up the withdrawal application form. It is essential because you cannot refund the fees once the application is submitted.

Conclusion:

The Canadian government understands the importance of living with your family. However, to make your wish come true, you need to go through the procedures on how to sponsor someone to live in Canada. We have tried our best to gather all the critical information you need to complete the process.

Make sure you submit the legal papers and fill out the application truthfully. Try not to miss an appointment with the embassy or consulate office. You can ask and clear out any doubts you have in your mind before the authority takes the final decision.

FAQs:

We have added some answers to frequently asked questions below:

How Can I Be A Sponsor?

You will be considered an eligible sponsor if you are at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident and have the financial ability to sponsor your relative, child, or spouse.

How Long Does It Take To Sponsor Someone To Canada?

The whole process of sponsoring someone in Canada may take around 10 to 12 months. However, the time frame also depends on your application category.

Can You Sponsor Someone To Come To Canada?

You can sponsor someone as long as they are your legal partner, dependent child, and a spouse. The government is only opening the doors for the family members you left in another country and now want to live with you permanently in Canada.

How Long Does Sponsorship Last In Canada?

The length of sponsorship may last from 3 to 20 years, depending on the person you are sponsoring. Your support will vary with that person’s relationship and age in the case of your dependent child.