Close Relative Sponsorship
Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program embodies the belief that families should be together. This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor close relatives, including orphaned siblings, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren under 18 with no living parents or legal guardians. In exceptional cases, it also extends to other relatives when the sponsor has no immediate family members.
This program is more than a policy – it’s a lifeline, offering hope and the opportunity to rebuild connections. With fair and transparent eligibility criteria, it underscores Canada’s commitment to uniting families and fostering shared futures. Because family is where love begins, and everyone deserves the comfort of loved ones.
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Eligibility requirements
You can sponsor if you are at least 18 years old and:
- A Canadian citizen, or
- Registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, or
- A permanent resident living in Canada.
If you live in Quebec, there are certain other requirements. After federal approval, you need to meet Quebec’s sponsorship requirements. This includes signing a special contract with the province called an “undertaking” to support your sponsored relative
You might not be eligible to sponsor a relative if
- You are currently in jail.
- You have overdue alimony or child support payments.
- You have filed for bankruptcy and have not yet been discharged.
- You receive financial aid from the government, except due to a disability.
- You have an outstanding immigration loan, or you have a history of late or missed loan repayments.
- You previously sponsored a relative but did not adhere to the sponsorship agreement’s terms.
- You were found guilty of a violent or sexual crime, or a crime against a family member. The decision may depend on the nature of the offence, how much time has passed since, and whether you received a record suspension (previously known as a pardon).
Your responsibilities as a sponsor
When you sponsor a relative to become a permanent resident of Canada, you must:
- Support your relative financially when they arrive.
- Be able to meet basic needs for yourself and your relative, such as food, shelter, clothing.
- Make sure your relative doesn’t need social assistance.
- Agree in writing to give financial support to your relative and any other eligible relatives coming with them:
- beginning on the date they become a permanent resident.
- for up to 20 years (depending on their age and how you are related).
- The person you sponsor must sign an agreement saying they will make the effort to support themselves. This includes sponsored dependent children 18 or older. Dependent children under 19 do not have to sign this agreement.
Only very specific circumstances allow you to sponsor relatives like a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or cousin. Use Come to Canada tool to find out if your family member meets the criteria below. There are 2 options for sponsoring people depending on your situation.
Sponsoring orphaned brother,sister,brother,nephew or grandchild
You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild only if they meet all of these conditions:
- They are your blood or adoptive relatives.
- They lost both their mother and father.
- They are under the age of 18.
- They are single (not married or in a common-law or conjugal relationship).
You can’t sponsor your brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if:
- One of their parents is still alive.
- No one knows where their parents are.
- Their parents abandoned them.
- Someone else other than their parents care for them while one or both of their parents are alive.
- Their parent is in jail or otherwise detained.
Sponsoring other relative
You may sponsor one relative, related by blood or adoption, of any age, if you meet all of these conditions:
- You don’t have a living relative you could sponsor instead, such as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, son or daughter, parent, grandparent, orphaned brother or sister, orphaned nephew or niece, orphaned grandchild.
- You don’t have any relatives (aunt or uncle or any of the relatives listed above), who are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, registered Indian under the Indian Act.
- If the relative you want to sponsor has a spouse, partner, or dependent children who will come with them to Canada, you must include them on the same sponsorship application.
Who can you not sponsor: You can not sponsor someone who is inadmissible to Canada. This means they are not allowed to come to Canada.
Examples of who you can sponsor?
Sponsoring an Aunt
Veronica, a permanent resident of Canada without a spouse, children, or close family members in the country, has a unique opportunity to sponsor her aunt, Betty, for immigration under Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program. With her parents and grandparents deceased and no other immediate relatives in Canada, Veronica meets the eligibility criteria to sponsor Betty. In the application, Betty will be the principal applicant, with her husband listed as a dependent. If Betty’s daughter qualifies as a dependent child under Canadian immigration rules, she can also be included in the application; otherwise, she may need to apply separately. This process provides a path to reunite family members who have limited connections and support, ensuring stronger family ties. For guidance on eligibility and next steps, consult Canada's official immigration resources or an experienced consultant to streamline the application process.
Sponsoring a Cousin
Sam, a single permanent resident of Canada and an only child, grew up in the U.S. under the care of his cousin. With no close relatives or family members in Canada, Sam is eligible to sponsor his cousin for immigration under Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program. Since both Sam and his cousin are single and Sam has no other family sponsorship options, this pathway allows him to reunite with the family member who played a pivotal role in his upbringing. This program is designed to support individuals like Sam who lack immediate family in Canada, enabling them to build a support network through sponsorship.
Submitting the Application:
Jake, a Canadian citizen, is single, childless, and has no immediate family in Canada, as both his parents have passed away. With no other relatives to sponsor, Jake is eligible to sponsor his brother, Tom, for immigration under Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program. Tom, who is divorced and has custody of his young son, can include his child in the application as a dependent, allowing them to immigrate together. This sponsorship offers a path for Jake to reunite with his family, strengthening their bond and creating a support network in Canada
The Government Review:
Liam, a Canadian citizen living alone, tragically lost his parents in an accident, leaving his grandparents as his only surviving relatives. Under Canada’s Family Class Sponsorship Program, Liam is eligible to sponsor his grandparents for immigration since he has no immediate family members or other relatives in Canada to sponsor. This program reflects Canada’s commitment to family reunification, allowing individuals like Liam to reconnect with loved ones and build a stronger support system. Sponsoring grandparents provides an opportunity to bring generations closer together and enrich family ties. For a seamless application process and to confirm eligibility, visit Canada’s official immigration website or seek advice from a qualified consultant.
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FAQs About Other Close Relative Sponsorship
You can sponsor a relative of any age if you have no living spouse, partner, children, parents, grandparents, or orphaned close relatives. Neither you nor the relative you wish to sponsor should have any other relatives in Canada who are citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians.
Sponsors must provide financial support for the sponsored relative’s basic needs, ensure they do not require social assistance, and commit to financial responsibility for up to 20 years, depending on the relationship.
You may sponsor an aunt or uncle only if you have no other living relatives, including a spouse, partner, children, parents, or grandparents, and no other Canadian relatives.
While there is no specific minimum income, you must demonstrate the ability to meet basic needs for yourself and the relative you sponsor.
The financial obligation lasts up to 20 years, depending on the age and relationship of the sponsored relative.
Your financial responsibility remains intact even if the relative does not live with you.
You must provide official documents, such as death certificates or legal records, to demonstrate the absence of other eligible relatives.
Yes, you can sponsor an orphaned sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild if they are under 18, single, and have no surviving parents.
You cannot sponsor if you are in jail, have unpaid child or spousal support, undischarged bankruptcy, overdue immigration loans, government financial aid (except for disability), or a criminal conviction for certain offences.
It depends on the nature of the offence, how much time has passed, and whether they received a record suspension (pardon). However, inadmissible individuals cannot be sponsored.
Yes, if your relative has a spouse or dependent children, they can be included in the same sponsorship application.
No, unless the assistance is due to a disability, you are ineligible to sponsor.
Yes, you can withdraw the application before the relative becomes a permanent resident, following proper procedures.
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