Parent / Grandparent Sponsorship

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The laws of Canada that govern immigration make it a main priority to ensure that families are united and as such, this class allows for people who are citizens of Canada or Permanent Residents (PR) to sponsor their parents or grandparents if they can prove their relationship and meet the requirements as laid out by the government.

Please Note: This program reaches capacity very quickly and the number of spots fluctuate as do the mechanics of the invitations under the program traditionally. The program typically opens at the beginning of each year, and you should plan ahead should you wish to take part. However, as an alternative, the government of Canada has extended a Super Visa, so families can travel freely and be with their children.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

It is important to satisfy all the requirements under this program and as such the person who wishes to sponsor a Parent or Grandparent must:

Receive an “Invitation to Apply”.
Be at least 18 years old.
Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Live in Canada.
Be willing to sign an agreement with the government that they are willing to undertake the Sponsorship for 20 years and be responsible for all of the financial concerns of the sponsored.
Meet the minimum financial obligations required by the government of Canada.

FOR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS

Related by blood or adoption to the sponsor
Prove that they are criminally and medically admissible to Canada

PROGRAM PRIVILEGES

Qualifying under this program will make the applicant a Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada. As a Permanent Resident, you can do anything that a Canadian Citizen can do, except vote or join the military. As a PR, you are able to travel more freely and enter many countries without needing a Visa. As a Permanent Resident, you can do anything that a Canadian Citizen can do, except vote or join the military. Additionally, this will entitle you to all of the other benefits extended to all Canadians and PR’s, such as universal healthcare coverage, tax benefits and stable job opportunities. Lastly, after you satisfy the residency requirements as a PR, you can then apply for Canadian Citizenship.

COMMON TRAPS, PITFALLS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

While everyone’s case and circumstances are different, there are some common traps, pitfalls, and misconceptions when it comes to applying under this program. Here are some general and common ones we have experienced and encountered throughout the years:

Calculating family size

There is commonly confusion as to who has to be included in the family size. To calculate your family size, you must include: 1) yourself, 2) your spouse or common-law partner, 3) any dependent children, 4) any other person you may have sponsored in the past, for whom you’re still financially responsible, and 5) the parents and grandparents you want to sponsor and their dependents (spouse, partner, and dependent children, if this applies).

Calculating financial ability

If there are minimum financial thresholds for your sponsorship, then you will need to see the income required to meet the eligibility requirements. Certain programs will have calculations depending on the family size. These income requirements can also change and fluctuate every year. Make sure you are looking at the current and correct financial information. Additionally depending on the timing of the documentation you may not have some financial documents available to be able to submit and this can be tricky to navigate due to the mechanics of the program.

Spouse’s parents

You can’t sponsor your in laws. You can only sponsor your own parents. But you can be a co-signer on your in-laws’ sponsorship application.

Proving family relationships

If there are incorrect or name changes (such as different maiden names) on birth certificates, you will need to provide explanations. Not having proper documentation can slow the progress on the file with additional requests.

OUR VALUE – HOW WE MAKE THIS EASY FOR YOU

We understand that information can be found on the Internet and there are lots of other consultants or lawyers out there, so things can certainly get confusing very quickly for you. However, our value is in our services and how can simplify a sometimes-complicated process while anticipating and proactively making this whole process easy for you, from the start to the end of your immigration journey. We will guide you and provide:

An affordable service with an individualized payment schedule to suit any budget
Comprehensive documents required for the process, including information and tips that can’t be found on the IRCC website
Personalized immigration advice and solutions that are tailored to your case
Collaboration with a licensed immigration professional who will communicate and represent your case on your behalf
Support and Assistance through every stage of the process, from the application to the arrival in Canada.

FAQ

Q: How does this program process work?

A: The basic outline of the process is as follows:

The program opens for draws during a time of the year.
The sponsor submits an interest to sponsor form.
There is a deadline to submit this with a quota.
After the online form closes, submissions are reviewed, and invitations to apply are sent to randomly selected sponsors.
Invitation statuses are made public on the government website.
If you’re invited to apply, you must apply for PR and submit your documents by the ITA deadline.

Q: I don’t have a job, but I have lots of savings, more than enough to qualify under the LICO or the MNI ((Minimum Necessary Income). Can I still apply to sponsor?

A: This is a tricky question as the LICO is calculated using the Total Income on line 150 of your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). As per the guide, they do consider other sources of income such as paid parental leave or RRSP withdrawals. However, depending on your case, it is best to speak to a professional.

Q: Can I use your services for just the PR portion of the process after I get the ITA, or do you need to do the interest to sponsor?

A: We can assist with any immigration services you need, depending on what you need help with and at all stages of the process. It is important to keep in mind that spots for this program are competitive so if your interest to sponsor form is not done correctly, you will not be able to advance to the next step.

Q: I won’t be able to submit the file before the deadline on the ITA. Can I ask for an extension?

A: Deadlines can’t be extended and if you miss it, you will not be able to apply again until draws are open.

Q: There is some family information, such as date of birth, that I don’t know. How do I answer on the forms?

A: You will need to check the instruction guide on what to write for information that is unknown, and you will need to explain on the cover letter on why this is unknown.