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Family class emigration: An overview |
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By Sat-Sung Kalman » While the skilled worker program remains a
popular method for people to emigrate to Canada, having a close
relative in the country offers an alternative method of gaining entry.
Through family class immigration, certain members of your family are allowed to immigrate to Canada, upon a promise that the sponsoring family member will take care of them for a specified period of time.
This article is a summary of some important aspects of family class immigration. It is not legal advice, but rather is merely informational.
Who can come to Canada?
Family members who may be eligible to come to Canada through the family class immigration program include the husband, wife, or conjugal partner, which includes same-sex partners. In addition, the sponsor's mother, father, grandparents, and children may also be eligible. Additional members of the family, including brother, sister, niece, nephew, or grandchildren may be eligible to join the sponsoring member in Canada as immigrants in some cases.
What do the sponsoring family member need to do?
Before family members can join them in Canada, the sponsor needs to meet certain qualifications. Importantly, he or she must be at least 18 years of age, and a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident.
They must be residing in Canada if they have permanent resident status; in some cases Canadian citizens may be residing outside of Canada but remain eligible to sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada.
They must also fill out a sponsorship undertaking. This is their promise to the Canadian government that they will support the family members they are sponsoring. Depending on the situation, this promise will endure for between three and 10 years. They and the family members they are sponsoring must also sign an agreement which states that all parties understand their obligations.
In many cases sponsors must meet minimum financial requirements. The government established these financial requirements to help ensure that sponsors have the means to support their families in Canada.
An important exception to financial requirements is that in cases of spousal sponsorship, the government generally does not take a sponsor's financial situation into consideration.
What other ways are there to immigrate to Canada?
There are many ways to immigrate to Canada. Immigrating through the family class is just one of those routes.
In addition, it is possible to come to Canada on a temporary work, visitor, or study visa.
What are the chances of successfully immigrating to Canada?
Between January and March 2005, approximately 56,374 non-Canadians became permanent residents, which is the first step to becoming a Canadian citizen. Of this number, 12,412 were in the family class.
About the author: Sat-Sung Kalman is a Candian immigration lawyer, specializing in Canadian immigation, work, study, and visitor permits.
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