Spousal And Common-law Partner Sponsorship
The Family Class allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children, parents and grandparents, and spouse or common-law/conjugal partner. Canada strongly supports keeping families together whenever possible.
The Spousal Sponsorship Category
Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence.
Both the Canadian citizen or permanent resident (also called the ‘sponsor’) and the foreign national (the ‘sponsored person’) must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order for the sponsored person to receive a visa.
In order to receive a visa through this immigration program, the sponsor and sponsored person must prove that their relationship qualifies under one of three categories:
- Spouse
- Common-law Partner
- Conjugal Partner
NOTE: Canada recognizes same-sex marriage, and same-sex partners may be eligible to apply under any of the above three categories, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
Outland Sponsorship
An Outland application is generally pursued when the sponsored partner is living outside of Canada. However, Outland applicants can still be in Canada and apply through the Outland program, and may be permitted to travel in and out of Canada throughout the application process. Outland applications are processed through the visa office that serves the applicant’s country of origin, or where they have resided legally for at least one year.
Inland Sponsorship
Inland sponsorship is when the couple is together in Canada and the foreign spouse/common-law partner has temporary status in Canada, either as a worker, student, or visitor. The person being sponsored may be eligible for an Open Work Permit, allowing him or her to work for any employer in Canada while the sponsorship application is being processed.
Parent And Grandparent Super Visa
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa allows the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada as visitors for a period of up to two consecutive years at their initial visit without having to renew their status.The visa can remain valid for up to 10 years, allowing for re-entry during this period of time.
The Application Process
The application process is similar to that for a regular TRV. However, additional documentation is required to ensure that the parents and grandparents will be well supported during their time in Canada. This requirement includes:
- A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada;
- Documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum (see below);
- Proof of parental relationship with child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate that names him or her as a parent; and
- Proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a Canadian insurance company.
Minimum income requirements
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum necessary income |
|---|---|
| 1 person (your child or grandchild) | $24,600 |
| 2 persons | $30,625 |
| 3 persons | $37,650 |
| 4 persons | $45,712 |
| 5 persons | $51,846 |
| 6 persons | $58,473 |
| 7 or more | $65,101 |
| More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add | $6,628 |