The foundation of Canada’s immigration policy is family reunions. Since the end of World War II, Canada has consistently welcomed immigrants to boost its economy, reunite families, and provide humanitarian support. Under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, families comprise the second-largest group of immigrants accepted through the Canada Family PR Visa.
Overview of the Family PR Visa
Canada’s immigration system is managed by the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The IRCC oversees the Canada Family PR Visa program, which includes establishing criteria, reviewing family sponsorship applications, and issuing permanent and temporary resident visas.
What is the Family PR Visa?
The Canada Family PR Visa allows your family members to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residence (PR). As a sponsor, you commit to meeting necessities and financially supporting your sponsored family members.
Eligibility for the Canada Family PR Visa
To sponsor a family member, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Demonstrate financial capability to support the sponsored individual for several years
Eligible Family Members for the Family PR Visa
You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. In certain cases, you may also sponsor non-immediate family members, such as a sister, niece, or uncle, if you have no other immediate family members to sponsor or if they meet the definition of a dependent child.
Minimum Income Requirements for Sponsorship
To sponsor a family, you must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and promise to offer financial help for their basic necessities.
For Quebec Residents
If you live in Quebec, you must meet the province’s sponsorship standards, and the Quebec immigration ministry will evaluate your income.
Sponsorship Undertaking
When you sponsor a family member under the Canada Family PR Visa, you sign an “undertaking” making you legally responsible for them. If the sponsored person requires government social assistance, you will be required to repay this money.
Length of Sponsorship Undertaking
- Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner: 3 years
- Dependent child under 22 years: 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first
- Parent or grandparent: 20 years
- Other relatives: 10 years
In Quebec, the length of the undertaking depends on the family member’s age and relationship.
How to Apply for the Canada Family PR Visa
- Check Eligibility: Ensure that you qualify as a sponsor.
- Verify Family Member Eligibility: Confirm that your family member meets the requirements
- Submit Applications: Apply to IRCC, and if in Quebec, to the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI). Include both sponsorship and PR applications.
- Pay Fees: Pay the application fee for the Family PR Visa.
- Send Application: Mail your completed application to the appropriate address listed in the sponsorship guide available on the IRCC website.
Important Considerations
The Canada Family PR Visa program is vital for reuniting families and supporting Canada’s social and economic development. With careful planning, you can successfully sponsor your loved ones to join you in Canada.
For more detailed information, visit the official IRCC website.
