Family reunification is an innate part of Canada’s immigration policy. The Canadian government understands the importance of family ties and allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members to join them in the country. Although the process may be somewhat complicated, sponsoring a family member to move to Canada is doable with good understanding and preparation. This article will outline the major steps involved in the family sponsorship process so that you may be well prepared to handle each step in the process.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsors
Before one starts the sponsorship process, he needs to know who a qualified sponsor is. A sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. An applicant has to be at least 18 years old and show that he or she can support the relative financially-that is, show that he or she meets certain income requirements and ensure the family member being sponsored will not rely on social assistance once in Canada. It is important to observe that if one had sponsored an individual previously, they have limits to sponsor another member of the family on what basis they honored their contract.
Determining Whom You Can Sponsor
Canada’s family sponsorship class allows the sponsor to bring in spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Sometimes, it’s even possible to sponsor orphaned nephews or nieces. It’s key that a family member falls within one of the proper categories since different requirements and time limits for processing exist among categories. For example, the sponsoring of a spouse differs from that of a parent. Where it all gets overwhelming, the family immigration lawyer clarifies these differences.
Preparation and Submission of Application
First and foremost, after having assured the eligibility of both yourself and your relative, you will start preparing the application. Then, gather the supporting documents, which are proof of your status in Canada, proof of your relationship with the person being sponsored, and financial documents to show capability for support. Yes, it is of grave importance that all the necessary documents be gathered. Incomplete applications remain among the top causes of delays and refusals. Payment of the required processing fees is also made at this stage. With all these documents in hand, you will submit the application to the immigration office for processing. When submitting, the forms and documents should be in proper order.
Processing Times and Wait Periods
The time to process usually varies and depends on the family member one is sponsoring and their country of residence. For instance, a sponsorship application for spouse or children will be processed sooner than that of parents or grandparents since applications for parents and grandparents are many in number. During this time of processing, immigration authorities can request additional documents or information. Be prepared to face such delays and make sure that you quickly respond to such a request for the avoidance of further delays. You can also check the status of your application online from time to time to keep yourself updated.
Financial Support and Obligations
One of the main responsibilities of a sponsor is to provide financial support to the family member whom he is sponsoring. This is not only about an obligation to make sure that they do not rely on social assistance; it is also about an obligation to show that you are in the position to support them in their settlement process. In other words, this means providing basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The length or duration of undertaking varies according to the class of family members being sponsored. For example, sponsoring a spouse may mean a few years of support while the parent or grandparent may require as many as 20 years of support. The financial undertaking is a legal agreement and inability to fulfill the responsibilities may amount to certain penalties or loss of privileges for sponsorship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Others are situationally complicated in that something in the application may not be complete, or you happen to fall in one of those situationally complicated sponsorships of relatives. You can hire the services of an experienced immigration attorney or consultant who deals in family-based immigration and takes them through such procedures with full preparation of forms properly and all legal requirements complied with. An immigration attorney can handle complications and issues that may result from delays to possible eligibility concerns. Expertise will give peace of mind, and in cases of a successful sponsorship application, more likelihood.
Sponsoring a family member’s immigration into Canada is a huge responsibility, yet quite a rewarding one. Good planning and preparation, combined with the proper understanding of the process, will go a long way in confidently bringing together your loved ones. It will considerably smoothen out the eligibility process, preparation of the application, and wait with patience for the processing. It is definitely worth going through alone or with professional guidance to bring a family member into Canada.
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