Canada has a specific process for family reunification that is detailed on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. The ability to bring family members to Canada depends on various factors including the type of residency, financial situation, and living conditions of the permanent resident.
This article outlines the process for sponsoring a spouse and children, and aims to help eligible individuals apply for family reunification.
General Sponsorship Requirements
If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you can financially support your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child to come to Canada and join you. You are eligible if you:
- Are at least 18 years old;
- Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;
- If you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you intend to live in Canada;
- Have permanent resident status at the time of your sponsorship application;
- Can prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability;
- Can meet the basic needs of your sponsored family members;
- Commit to providing financial support for your sponsored family members until they become permanent residents;
- Agree to repay any social assistance that your sponsored family members receive during this period;
- Agree to certain responsibilities during the commitment period;
- Ensure that the person you are sponsoring makes every effort to support themselves and their family;
- Must complete and sign a form that includes a sponsorship agreement and undertaking.
You can review the special information on financial support and make your decision about family reunification. In most cases, no income requirement is needed for sponsoring a spouse or partner or dependent child; you only need to show that you have enough money to meet the financial requirements. The financial evaluation form will explain how much money you need and how to fill out the form.
When You Cannot Reunite with Your Spouse and Children
You cannot sponsor your family members if:
- You are under 18 years old;
- You are sponsoring family members but you do not live in Canada;
- You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- You are a temporary resident (on a visa or permit for visiting, studying, or working in Canada);
- Your permanent residency application is still in process;
- You do not have enough money to support the people you want to sponsor;
- You have been sponsored by a spouse or partner and less than 5 years have passed since you received your permanent residency;
- You are still financially responsible for a spouse or partner you sponsored previously (this means you are still under the 3-year support obligation);
- You have previously applied to sponsor a spouse, parent, or child and a decision on that application has not yet been made;
- You did not provide financial support as agreed in a previous sponsorship application;
- You have been convicted of a serious criminal offense, including violent crimes, offenses against relatives, or any sexual crimes, either inside or outside Canada;
- You cannot legally stay in Canada and have been ordered to leave the country.
There may be other reasons why you might not be eligible to sponsor your spouse, partner, or child. If you are determined not to be eligible, you will be informed of the reason.
Which Family Members Can You Sponsor?
- Spouse: You can sponsor a spouse who is legally married to you and is at least 18 years old.
- Common-Law Partner: Your common-law partner must be at least 18 years old and have lived with you continuously for at least 12 months in a serious relationship with marriage intent.
-
Dependent Children: Your children under 22 years old are eligible for sponsorship. Children aged 22 or older must meet both of the following conditions:
- They are unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition;
- They were financially dependent on their parents before turning 22;
- Apart from their age, they must continue to meet these conditions until their application is processed.
If you are a Canadian citizen, your child may also be a Canadian citizen, even if they were not born in Canada. If your child is already a Canadian citizen, you do not need to sponsor them for permanent residency.
If you are only sponsoring a child and not a spouse or partner, you must name your child as the principal applicant in the program. You must show that the other parent or legal guardian agrees to your child's immigration to Canada. If you want to sponsor an adopted child or an orphaned family member, refer to the adoption guidelines.
To prove that they meet the eligibility requirements, the spouse, partner, dependent child, and their dependent children (if applicable) must provide:
- All required forms and documents with their application;
- Any additional information requested during the document review, including medical exams and biometrics.
Applying for Family Reunification
You cannot sponsor someone who is inadmissible to Canada. This means they are not allowed to come to Canada.
You should apply online to sponsor your family members. Online applications have been available since September 23, 2022. If you cannot apply online due to a disability, you may submit a paper or Braille (for the visually impaired) application.
To sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child, you must:
- Apply to be a sponsor;
- Have your spouse, partner, or child apply for permanent residency.
If you want to sponsor an adopted child or an orphaned family member, refer to the adoption guidelines.
How to Apply?
You, as the sponsor, should download, complete, and submit the required PDF forms using the online portal.
You can find the forms and instructions at this link. The package includes:
- A checklist of documents for you and the people you want to sponsor;
- Forms that you and your sponsored family members need to complete;
- Instructions or guidelines to help you and your family members fill out the forms correctly.
Before completing the forms, read the guide carefully. The application fee is non-refundable.
Note: The forms have two sections: one for you and one for your spouse, partner, or child. You can also complete and submit forms on behalf of your family members if needed. This means you act as their representative. You need to prepare and submit the forms and authorization documents on their behalf.
Forms to be Completed by the Sponsor:
You must download and complete the following forms:
- IMM 1344E: Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking
- IMM 5532E: Financial Evaluation
- IMM 5533E: Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (if applicable)
If you are delegating the completion and submission of the forms to someone else, download and complete the form and instructions for this.
Forms to be Completed by the Sponsored Family Member:
The principal applicant or family members you are sponsoring must complete and submit the following forms online:
- IMM 0008: Generic Application Form for Canada
- IMM 5669: Schedule A – Background/Declaration
- IMM 5406: Additional Family Information
- IMM 5562: Supplementary Information – Your travels (for family members 18 years or older)
If family members are delegating the completion and submission of forms, they must download and complete the relevant form and instructions.
Ensure that both you as the sponsor and the family members as applicants sign the forms electronically according to the guidelines.
Required Documents:
Depending on the country where your spouse and children live, the required documents will automatically appear. Assuming they are in Afghanistan, you will need:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Marriage Certificate
- Photos
- Divorce Certificate (if applicable)
- Other civil documents if requested
Initially, you need to provide copies of these documents. Originals may be required later during the interview at the Canadian embassy.
Application Fees:
You must pay the fees for processing the family reunification application. These fees include:
- Application fee for permanent residency (detailed here);
- Biometrics fee, which covers the cost of fingerprint and photo collection. Detailed information on the biometrics fee is here.
You must pay the fees online; detailed payment instructions are here.
Submitting the Application:
After completing all the forms, submit your application to the Canadian government. Ensure all questions on the forms are answered, your full name and your family members' names are typed exactly as shown in the passports, and the application is electronically signed.
Create an account on the online permanent residency application portal. Follow the portal instructions to upload all forms and documents, including the receipt of payment and any other required documents. Submit the application electronically. If incomplete, your application will be rejected, and you will need to correct any errors and resubmit it.
Tracking the Application:
You can track the status of your application online. It is recommended to receive updates electronically. Learn how to link your application to your online account for tracking at this link.
Review of Your Application:
IRCC will review your application. If both the sponsor and the sponsored person meet eligibility requirements, IRCC will contact you via email. If your application is approved, IRCC will send instructions for the next steps.
Acceptance of the Application:
A decision will be made by IRCC regarding the acceptance or rejection of the sponsorship application. An immigration officer will review the application and supporting documents to determine if the sponsorship criteria are met.
If the application is approved, you will be notified via email or through the online portal. The application will then be forwarded to the Canadian embassy or consulate in the relevant country for further processing. If needed, the embassy will contact you for an interview and original documents.
Post-Acceptance Steps:
Once approved, the Canadian embassy or consulate will contact the sponsored persons to provide instructions on further steps. They must:
- Complete a medical examination;
- Obtain a police certificate;
- Undergo security checks;
- Provide biometric information, including fingerprints and digital photos.
Upon successful completion, they will receive their visa and instructions on how to travel to Canada.
After Arrival in Canada:
Upon arrival, the sponsored persons will meet with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the airport. They will review travel documents, including passports and permanent residency visas, and issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
The sponsor will assist the family members with settling in Canada, helping them find schools, employment, and becoming self-sufficient.
Differences in Quebec:
Family reunification procedures may vary in Quebec compared to other provinces. Quebec has its own rules and procedures for family sponsorship. For more details, visit the Quebec immigration website.
Assistance and Advice:
For further information and guidance, it is recommended to review the complete guidelines on the IRCC website.
Ask for help from "Beporsed"
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For more information
For more information on immigration, resettlement, education and scholarship programs, and other opportunities available to Afghans worldwide, as well as details on the humanitarian services provided by international organizations in Afghanistan and procedures for obtaining civil documents from governmental institutions, please visit Beporsed's website and social media pages.
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