Sponsorship
Sponsorship
- Canada supports family reunification through various immigration programs that allow Canadians to sponsor their relatives.
What is family class sponsorship?
- Canada’s family sponsorship programs allow citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residency. These programs help reunite families by offering faster processing times.
Who can I sponsor to come to Canada?
- Spouse, Common-law, or Conjugal Partner
Parent or Grandparent Sponsorship
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor parents or grandparents under the parent and grandparent program.
- Sponsors must meet Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements and agree to support their relatives financially if needed.
- Those who do not qualify for sponsorship may apply for a Super Visa, allowing parents and grandparents long-term, multiple-entry visits to Canada.
Child or Other Dependant Sponsorship
Children can be included as dependents on your Canadian permanent residence application. Alternatively, citizens and permanent residents may sponsor unmarried biological or adopted children under 22 without children, or over 22 if they cannot support themselves due to a physical or mental condition, through the child sponsorship program.
Other relatives (under exceptional circumstances as a “Lonely Canadian”)
In rare cases, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents can sponsor an extended relative for immigration if they qualify as a “Lonely Canadian,” meaning they have no spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, or grandparent.
How do I qualify to sponsor a family member?
You must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 or older
- Live in Canada (or plan to return when your relative becomes a permanent resident)
- Financially support your family member for three years
Super Visa Canada
The super visa is a multi-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, allowing stays in Canada for up to five years per visit without renewal.
Super Visa vs Visitor Visa
A Super Visa is a Canadian visitor visa for parents and grandparents of citizens or permanent residents. A standard visitor visa allows up to 6 months’ stay (with possible extension), while a Super Visa permits up to five years without needing an extension.
How to Apply for a Super Visa
- Apply online or by paper.
- You must prove you are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Include a letter of invitation with details about your care and the household in Canada. You need private health insurance from a Canadian company, valid for one year. Your child or grandchild must show they meet the minimum required income to support you.
