01
Spouse
Sponsorship may be available for a legally married spouse where the sponsor, applicant and relationship satisfy the applicable requirements.
Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship begins with both the relationship and the immigration requirements.
Canadian family sponsorship involves more than establishing a family connection. The sponsor, the person being sponsored and the relationship must each satisfy the requirements that apply to the particular sponsorship category.
Sponsorship does not guarantee permanent residence. Sponsor eligibility, relationship requirements, applicant eligibility, admissibility and supporting evidence must all be considered.
Sponsor Eligibility
Relationship Assessment
Application Preparation
Professional Representation
Sponsorship Categories
The applicable requirements depend on who is being sponsored.
Family sponsorship is not one universal application. Different relationships are governed by different eligibility, documentary and procedural requirements.
02
Common-law partner
Common-law sponsorship generally requires evidence that the partners have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.
03
Conjugal partner
Conjugal-partner sponsorship is a distinct category with specific requirements and should not be treated as an alternative simply because a couple has not married or cohabited.
04
Dependent children
Eligible dependent children may be sponsored subject to the applicable definition of dependency and other immigration requirements.
05
Parents & grandparents
Parent and grandparent sponsorship operates under separate intake and eligibility rules. Current program availability should be checked before planning an application.
06
Other family sponsorship
Canadian immigration law provides limited sponsorship possibilities for certain other relatives in specific circumstances.
Two Sides of the Application
Family sponsorship assesses both the sponsor and the person seeking permanent residence.
A family relationship by itself does not complete the immigration analysis. Sponsorship and permanent residence requirements operate together.
The Sponsor
The sponsor must qualify to undertake the sponsorship.
Citizenship or permanent resident status, residence circumstances, previous sponsorships, financial obligations and other statutory restrictions may affect sponsor eligibility.
The Applicant
The person being sponsored must also qualify for permanent residence.
The applicant must fall within the relevant family category, provide the required evidence, complete the immigration process and satisfy applicable admissibility requirements.
What We Assess
Family sponsorship requires a complete factual and documentary review.
The relationship is central, but it is not the only issue that can affect the application.
Sponsor eligibility
The sponsor's status, residence and any restrictions affecting sponsorship are reviewed.
Relationship category
The legal and factual relationship must fit the sponsorship category being relied upon.
Relationship evidence
Documentary evidence should accurately establish the history and nature of the relationship.
Immigration history
Previous applications, refusals, declarations and status history may be relevant.
Family composition
Children and other family members must be identified and addressed as required by the immigration process.
Admissibility & documentation
Medical, criminal, security and other admissibility considerations may need to be addressed alongside sponsorship eligibility.
Spouse & Partner Sponsorship
Relationship category and relationship evidence are separate questions.
First, the couple must fit the legal definition of the sponsorship category relied upon. Then the application must provide credible evidence supporting the relationship and the facts presented to IRCC.
- Marriage A legally married couple must establish the marriage and satisfy the applicable sponsorship and immigration requirements.
- Common-law relationship Evidence must establish the required period of continuous cohabitation and the nature of the relationship.
- Conjugal partnership This category has specific criteria and requires careful assessment of why marriage or common-law cohabitation has not been possible.
- Relationship history The application should present the relevant history consistently with the documentary evidence.
- Prior immigration history Previous applications, sponsorships or immigration representations can affect how the current case should be prepared.
Sponsorship Obligations
Sponsorship creates legal and financial responsibilities.
A sponsor signs an undertaking to provide support for the sponsored person for the period applicable to the sponsorship category. The consequences of that commitment should be understood before filing.
The Undertaking
Sponsorship is more than permission to submit an application.
The sponsor accepts legally significant responsibilities associated with supporting the sponsored family member after permanent residence is granted.
Understand Before Signing
The undertaking can continue even if circumstances later change.
Relationship changes or other later events do not necessarily cancel sponsorship responsibilities that have already taken effect. The applicable obligations should therefore be reviewed carefully.
Other Family Reunification
Not every family relationship follows the same sponsorship process.
Parent and grandparent sponsorship, dependent-child sponsorship and sponsorship of certain other relatives operate under distinct eligibility and procedural rules.
- Parents & grandparents The sponsorship program uses its own intake, financial and eligibility requirements. Current availability must be confirmed.
- Super visa planning Where parent or grandparent permanent-residence sponsorship is not presently available or appropriate, temporary visiting options may warrant separate review.
- Dependent children Dependency must be established under the applicable immigration definition and circumstances.
- Adopted children Adoption-related immigration matters involve additional legal and procedural considerations.
- Other relatives Sponsorship of relatives outside the usual spouse, partner, child, parent or grandparent categories is limited to specific circumstances.
Working With Escanto
From sponsorship assessment to permanent residence application.
01
Identify the sponsorship category
We begin with the relationship, the sponsor's status and circumstances, and the immigration objective of the family.
02
Assess sponsor and applicant eligibility
Sponsorship requirements and the applicant's permanent residence requirements are reviewed together.
03
Review relationship and supporting evidence
The factual history and documentary record are reviewed for completeness, consistency and material issues.
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Establish the professional mandate
Where Escanto is retained, the scope of professional advice, application preparation or representation is documented.
05
Prepare and represent
The sponsorship and permanent residence process is handled within the agreed professional scope and according to the applicable requirements.
Understand the sponsorship requirements that apply to your family.
A consultation can help identify the appropriate sponsorship category, sponsor requirements, relationship evidence and immigration issues relevant to your circumstances.
Discuss Family Sponsorship