#7. Family Sponsorship: Orphaned Siblings, Nephews, Nieces, Grandchildren, and Other Relatives
If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor an orphaned sibling, nephew, niece, or grandchild to come to Canada. However, they must meet specific requirements to qualify for sponsorship.
Who Can You Sponsor?
You can sponsor your orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild only if they meet all of the following conditions:
- They’re related to you by blood or adoption.
- Both their parents have passed away.
- They’re under 18 years old.
- They’re single (not married, in a common-law, or a conjugal relationship).
You cannot sponsor them if:
- One or both of their parents are still alive.
- Their parents’ whereabouts are unknown.
- They’ve been abandoned by their parents.
- Someone else (other than their parents) is caring for them, and one or both parents are still alive.
- Their parent is in jail or otherwise detained.
Sponsoring Other Relatives
In rare cases, you may also sponsor a relative (related by blood or adoption), regardless of their age. To do this, you must meet the following conditions:
- You don’t have any living relatives (spouse, partner, children, parents, etc.) that you could sponsor instead.
- You don’t have any other relatives (aunts, uncles, etc.) who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians under the Indian Act.
If your relative has a spouse, partner, or dependent children who will also be immigrating, they must be included in the sponsorship application.
How to Apply
The sponsorship process involves two stages:
- Sponsorship Application: You apply to sponsor your eligible relative.
- Permanent Residence Application: Your sponsored relative applies for permanent residence.
Both applications must be submitted at the same time.
To sponsor a relative, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Financial Requirements
As a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, which is a legal promise to financially support your sponsored relative and ensure they do not require social assistance.
Basic support includes:
- Food, clothing, and shelter.
- Health care not covered by public health services (e.g., dental and eye care).
The length of time you are required to provide support varies based on the relationship and age of the person you're sponsoring.
Note: The undertaking remains valid even if your financial situation changes or if the sponsored individual moves to a different province or gains Canadian citizenship.
If your income is below the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), you will not be eligible to sponsor a relative. Below is the current LICO chart:
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum Necessary Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $29,380 |
| 2 persons | $36,576 |
| 3 persons | $44,966 |
| 4 persons | $54,594 |
| 5 persons | $61,920 |
| 6 persons | $69,834 |
| 7 persons | $77,750 |
| For each additional person, add | $7,916 |
Need More Help?
Navigating the family sponsorship process can be complex. If you're unsure whether your relative qualifies for sponsorship, or if you need help with the application process, contact D&D Law for expert guidance. We're here to support you in bringing your loved ones to Canada.
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This concludes our Family Sponsorship series of blogs. If we've helped you gain even a little more understanding of this immigration pathway, then we consider our job well done. We hope you have a wonderful day and look forward to having you join us next week for our Refugee Claimant series of blogs!
Until then, take care and stay amazing! 🍁
D&D Law