Family Sponsorship: Reunite with Your Loved Ones in Canada

Family reunification is a key part of Canada’s immigration system, with the government offering strong support for families to live together. You can sponsor a variety of family members, including:

• • Spouse or common-law partner
  • Conjugal partner
  • Dependent children
  • Parents or grandparents
  • Other family members in specific situations

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

To be eligible to sponsor a family member, the sponsor must:

• • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Meet specific requirements set by Canadian immigration laws

Spouse, Common-Law, and Conjugal Partner Sponsorship

• • A spouse is someone who is legally married to the sponsor, and the marriage must be recognized both in Canada and in the country where it took place.
  • Common-law partners are those who have lived together in a marital-like relationship for at least one year.
  • Conjugal partners are those in a long-term relationship but unable to marry or live together due to certain circumstances.

New Policy Update (December 2014): Spouses and common-law partners who apply for permanent residence within Canada can be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work while waiting for a decision on their application.

Dependent Child Sponsorship

A dependent child is:

• • Under 19 years old and not married or in a common-law partnership, or
  • Over 19 years old but financially dependent due to a mental or physical disability.

No financial requirements need to be met for the sponsor, and the child doesn’t need to meet medical requirements.

Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship

For parents and grandparents, sponsors must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) based on their family size to demonstrate they can financially support their loved ones. The goal is to ensure that the sponsor can support both their immediate family and the sponsored parent or grandparent.

Requirements for Parents and Grandparents:

• • Medical Examination: Must undergo and submit medical results with their application.
  • Medical Insurance: Parents and grandparents must purchase one-year medical insurance when arriving in Canada.

Let Us Guide You Through the Family Sponsorship Process

At DIVERSA, we specialize in family sponsorship applications and are here to help you reunite with your loved ones in Canada. Contact us today to get started with your family sponsorship application!