Family Reunification
Family reunification is central to Canada’s immigration policy and is a stated objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers a number of ways for you to reunite with your immediate family, including sponsorship-class applications. Some of these options are also open to reuniting extended family. To effect a successful family reunification, it is critical to provide the immigration officers with the right content.
Our immigration lawyers ensure your applications, forms, and supporting documents tell the right story about your family and help you avoid lengthy delays and rejections due to incomplete documents or missing information.
Let’s work together so you can be together sooner. Book a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers today.
How Does Immigration Sponsorship Work?
Immigration sponsorship is a two-step process.
During stage 1, IRCC assesses the sponsor’s eligibility, with an acknowledgment of completion letter generally being issued upon completion of stage 1.Â
Stage 2 considers the actual application for permanent residence.Â
Even though stage 1 and stage 2 assessments are focused on different documents, one complete application package is submitted.
Who Can Sponsor A Family Member?
You can sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child if you are:
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Over 18 years of age
Able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
Able to provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor (more on this later)
Who Can Sponsor A Family Member?
You can sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child if you are:
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Over 18 years of age
Able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
Able to provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor (more on this later)
What Obligations Does A Sponsor Have?
The obligations of the sponsor are twofold
- The sponsor agrees to ensure that family members receive the support they need to establish themselves in Canada
- The sponsor agrees to repay the Canadian government any social assistance payments made to the sponsored family member or members.
Once the undertaking is in force, it cannot be revoked by the sponsor for any reason, including relationship breakdown or abuse, a position that withstood legal challenges. For the spousal application class, the current length of the undertaking is three years
Humanitarian And Compassionate Considerations During Sponsorship
An applicant or sponsor may be able to seek an exemption from the legal requirements discussed above based on humanitarian and compassionate considerations. For example, if a sponsor is deemed eligible, the sponsor can request the officer to consider humanitarian and compassionate considerations in order to overcome the ineligibility. Humanitarian and compassionate considerations may also be relied upon during stage 2 including overcoming the ineligibility or inadmissibility of the principal applicant.
Family Reunification Immigration Services
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