Family reunification
in Canada
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Family reunification allows a Canadian citizen, a person registered as an Indian, or a permanent resident to sponsor certain family members so that they can obtain permanent residence. Sponsorship is based on two factors: your eligibility as a sponsor and the authenticity of the family relationship.
In Quebec, the process is two-fold: the federal application to IRCC and a signed undertaking to the Government of Quebec. Knowing who you can sponsor, and under what conditions, saves you months of waiting for an application that should never have been submitted in this form.
In Quebec, the process is two-fold: the federal application to IRCC and a signed undertaking to the Government of Quebec. Knowing who you can sponsor, and under what conditions, saves you months of waiting for an application that should never have been submitted in this form.
Under what circumstances can you sponsor a family member?
Family sponsorship enables a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to support the arrival of a close relative. A family relationship alone is not enough: the law sets out who can be sponsored and who can act as a sponsor, and these rules involve some important nuances.
Sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child is based on specific legal concepts, which do not always correspond to family life as it is actually lived. Two situations that appear similar may be treated differently.
Sponsorship for parents and grandparents follows its own, separate process, with the procedures and application periods varying from year to year. There are other ways to host a parent for an extended period. Several criteria may apply depending on your circumstances. We will review the current status of the program and your specific situation before taking any further steps.
What are the requirements for submitting a sponsorship application?
The key factor remains demonstrating the authenticity of the relationship. IRCC seeks to ensure that the relationship is genuine and has not been entered into primarily to obtain status: the history of the relationship, evidence of living together, communications, witness statements, photographs and shared financial documents. This is where many refusals are decided.
Sponsorship also involves a commitment to the Government of Québec, whereby you undertake to provide for the sponsored person’s needs for a specified period. The duration and scope of this commitment vary depending on the relationship and the circumstances. In some cases, you may also be required to demonstrate financial capacity.
In addition, for the sponsored individual, there are security and background checks, a medical examination, biometric data collection and government fees as published by IRCC. We compile the full application and check each document before submission. A consultation allows us to assess your application in accordance with the current regulations.
What other steps are required whilst your application is being processed?
Once the application has been submitted, IRCC will send an acknowledgement of receipt. Depending on the sponsorship route chosen and the sponsored person’s place of residence, certain parallel procedures may be possible whilst the application is being processed. These are not automatic and should be verified before being undertaken.
You must then respond to any requests for additional documents, provide biometric data within the specified timeframe, undergo a medical examination and, in some cases, attend an interview. Any change in circumstances, such as a change of address, the birth of a child or a separation, must be reported without delay.
A refusal does not necessarily mean the end of the process: depending on the grounds for the refusal, there may be avenues for appeal. We will follow up on your case, respond to IRCC on your behalf – including in response to a letter regarding procedural fairness – and represent you should the matter go to court.
Support tailored to your circumstances
Assessment of your family situation
We assess your situation to determine the most suitable approach for your family reunification application.
Carefully prepared application
We support you in putting together a complete and coherent application.
Personalized support
You are supported at every stage with clear explanations and transparent support.
A personalized approach
Because family plans are important, we support you with a listening ear, availability and professionalism.
Our team
Alice mardelet-santamaria
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Chloé yin
Chartered Canadian Immigration Consultant (CRIC)
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What our customers ask us most often.
The financial requirements vary depending on the sponsored person and the province of residence. Sponsoring a spouse is subject to different rules from those applying to other family members: a consultation will enable us to assess your application in accordance with the current rules.
The commitment made to the sponsored person is for a fixed period, which varies depending on the family relationship and the person’s age. It is a binding commitment, which should be carefully considered before signing.
Depending on where the application is submitted and the applicant’s status in Canada, a work permit may be considered whilst the application is being processed. This possibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Sponsorship is not restricted to married couples: the regulations also recognise common-law partners and conjugal relationships. Each category has its own requirements regarding evidence.
The program for parents and grandparents is subject to application windows and measures announced by IRCC, which vary from year to year. Other options may be available in the meantime: a consultation will enable us to assess your application in accordance with the current rules.
Immigration rules change regularly. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For a personalized assessment of your situation, please schedule a consultation.
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