Family Sponsorship for Parents and Grandparents: A Complete Guide

Family Sponsorship for Parents and Grandparents: A Complete Guide

Reuniting with family members is one of the core values of Canada’s immigration system. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your parents or grandparents to join you in Canada through the Family Sponsorship Program. This program allows you to bring your loved ones to Canada to live permanently, offering them the opportunity to become part of your life and the Canadian community.

If you are considering sponsoring your parents or grandparents, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from eligibility criteria to application steps and common challenges.

Eligibility Criteria for Family Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents

To sponsor your parents or grandparents for Canadian immigration, both you (the sponsor) and your family members (the applicants) must meet certain eligibility criteria.

  1. Sponsor Eligibility:
    • You must be at least 18 years old.
    • You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
    • You must be able to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support your parents or grandparents and ensure they do not rely on social assistance once they are in Canada.
    • You cannot be receiving social assistance (except for reasons related to disability).
    • You must sign an undertaking, agreeing to provide financial support to your parents or grandparents for a period of 20 years (in most cases) once they arrive in Canada.
  2. Parent and Grandparent Eligibility:
    • Your parents or grandparents must be your biological or adoptive parents or grandparents.
    • They must meet certain health and security requirements, including a medical exam and police clearance to prove they do not pose a risk to public health or safety in Canada.
    • The applicants should not have been previously found inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as criminal convictions or immigration violations.

The Process for Sponsoring Your Parents or Grandparents

The process for sponsoring your parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada involves several steps. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you’ll need to follow:

  1. Submit an Interest to Sponsor Application: Canada has a random lottery system for selecting sponsors for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Due to the high demand for this program, you cannot simply submit a sponsorship application directly. Instead, you need to submit an Interest to Sponsor form online. This form is typically available once a year, and only a limited number of spots are available.If you are selected in the lottery, you will be invited to submit a complete application for sponsorship.
  2. Complete the Sponsorship Application: If you are selected in the lottery, the next step is to submit a complete sponsorship application. This includes several forms and documents that need to be submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These documents typically include:
    • Proof of your Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
    • Proof of your financial ability to support your parents or grandparents.
    • The application for permanent residence for your parents or grandparents.
    • Medical and police clearance for the applicants.
    You will need to provide a variety of personal information, financial statements, and evidence of your relationship with your parents or grandparents.
  3. Processing and Review: Once the complete application is submitted, IRCC will begin processing it. The processing times can vary, but it typically takes about 20-24 months or longer. During this time, IRCC may request additional information or documents, or ask the applicants to undergo further medical exams or security checks.
  4. Decision: Once IRCC has completed processing the application, they will make a decision. If your parents or grandparents meet the eligibility requirements and there are no issues with their application, they will be approved for permanent residency in Canada. You will then receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and your parents or grandparents can travel to Canada to complete the immigration process.
  5. Permanent Residency and Landing: Upon arriving in Canada, your parents or grandparents will need to complete a short landing procedure at the port of entry, where they will officially become permanent residents of Canada. They will receive their Permanent Resident (PR) card as proof of their status.

Financial Requirements for Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

When sponsoring your parents or grandparents, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient income to support them financially for the duration of the undertaking period. This means showing that you meet a certain Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), based on the Low Income Measure (LIM).

The MNI is determined by the size of your family unit, including yourself, your spouse, any dependent children, and the parents or grandparents you wish to sponsor. It is important to show that you can provide for your parents or grandparents without relying on government assistance. You will need to provide your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to prove your income.

Challenges in Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

Sponsoring your parents or grandparents for permanent residency can come with its challenges, including:

  1. Lottery System: As mentioned, the lottery system for the PGP can make it difficult for many families to sponsor their parents or grandparents. With a high number of applicants each year and limited spaces available, it can take several attempts before being selected.
  2. Financial Obligations: The financial requirements for sponsoring parents or grandparents can be significant. You must demonstrate that you have a stable and sufficient income to meet the MNI for the length of the sponsorship period, which can be a barrier for some sponsors.
  3. Processing Delays: The processing time for the sponsorship application can be lengthy, sometimes exceeding two years. During this time, sponsors and applicants may experience uncertainty and long waiting periods.
  4. Health and Security Checks: If your parents or grandparents have health conditions or criminal convictions, their application may be delayed or denied. Medical exams and police clearances are required as part of the application process.

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