Immigrating to Canada/Family Class

The Family Sponsorship program is designed to allow Canadians to bring members of their family or significant others into the Country. The focus on this application is to prove that the relationship is of an acceptable type and is genuine.

Sponsorship Types
There are several types Family sponsorships. A person may sponsor any of the following people:
 * spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner.
 * parents or grandparents
 * dependent children including adopted
 * other children who are under the sponsor's guardianship
 * orphaned brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren

Dependent Children
Dependent children means any child who is either:
 * under 22 years, unmarried on the date the application is submitted and is unmarried on date the child lands in Canada;
 * financially dependent on parents due to enrollment and attendance in a full-time educational institution since the age of 22 or since the date of marriage, if married under 22; or
 * dependant due to mental or physical disability.

Any interruption in full-time studies for under a year in total will not affect dependant status.

Eligibility
Requirements for sponsor:
 * over 18 years old
 * Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen
 * live in Canada
 * income above "Low Income Cut-off" level.
 * not on social assistance except for disability
 * not in default on a previous sponsorship
 * not in prison
 * not an undischarged bankrupt
 * not under a deportation order

The application for this visa is made to a visa office outside of Canada. The applicant for a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa must meet certain criteria.

Firstly, the applicant must me eligible for a regular visitor visa. This means that besides being in good health and having a valid travel document, the applicant must satisfy a Canadian immigration official that they will willingly leave the country at the end of their authorized stay, that they have sufficient ties to their home country such as a job, family or property, and that they have sufficient funds available to support themselves for the length of their stay.Parent and Grandparents Super Visa

Sponsor's Responsibilities
Sponsoring is a major commitment. For a period of 3 to 10 years, the sponsor is required to, among other things:
 * provide the Applicant with basic living requirements and essential needs where the applicant cannot do so for his or herself.
 * ensure that Applicant does not have to apply for social assistance

Once the sponsorship has begun it cannot be cancelled in cases of divorce, separation, or relathionship breakdown.

Minimum Threshold income
The Sponsor must have a minimum income, known as the "Low Income Cut-Off" except where it is a spousal sponsorship.


 * Cut-Off amounts

Co-signer
A co-signer may be used when sponsoring a non-spouse in order to reach the Minimum Income requirement. The co-signer must be a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.

Forms
Two sets of forms are needed, those relating to the sponsorship and the standard Permanent Residency forms.

Documents
The Sponsor must provide several documents.

1) A photocopy of one of the following:
 * Record of Landing
 * Permanent Resident Card (both sides)
 * Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides)
 * Canadian Birth certificate
 * Canadian passport

2) One of the following:
 * An Option-C tax print out. One can be obtained from a local Revenue Canada Office.
 * proof of income.

3) original letter of employment.

if there is a co-signer
 * photocopy of marriage certificate

if divorced
 * photocopy of divorce certificate

if Applicant is a parent
 * photocopy of birth certificate

if Sponsoring an adopted child
 * photocopy of adoption order

Inside/Outside Canada
There are two modes of applying under the family class. A Applicant can be sponsored from inside Canada or from outside Canada. There are separate application Guides for each steam. The big difference between the two is that applications inside Canada cannot be appealed if refused. Also, the location and speed at which the application is processed is different, and the method of payment is different. Applications inside Canada can be paid online or with a CIC bank receipt. Applications outside of Canada can be paid online or with an international money order.

Mailing
The completed applications of the Sponsor and Applicant the documents, and the payment receipt should be sent to the processing center.

If family status changes, such as marriage, divorce, birth, death, contact address or number, either the sponsor or applicant must call the processing center to inform them of the changes.

Processing Times

 * processing times

Fees
There are two types of fees, the Processing Fee and Permanent Residence Fee. Only the Processing Fee needs to be paid immediately, however, both fees may be paid at once.

So, for example. a sponsorship of a spouse over 22 years will be $550 for processing and $490 for the PR fees for a total of $1040.