Canada understands how important family is and is committed to family reunification, therefore offers the chance to its citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their family through Canada Family Visa.
As part of their immigration programs, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has a specific visa track known as the Family Visa. Canadian citizens or permanent residents of at least 18 years of age are entitled to sponsor the following family members:
Legal Liabilities of Sponsors and Co-Sponsors
Sponsors may add a Co-Sponsors but both must be Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian Citizens must be over eighteen (18), must be residing in Canada. A Canadian Citizen living outside Canada must show that he has a plan to return to Canada with the sponsored relative. Both sponsors and Co-Sponsor must not be bankrupt or in default of a previous undertaking in any earlier sponsorship or must not be in prison or must not be facing any removal order or being charged with a serious criminal offense.
Sponsors will have to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) in certain cases as set out by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Especially in the case of Parents and Grand Parents, it is LICO plus 30%.
The Sponsors are responsible for providing the essential needs for the person being sponsored and their dependents for a period of three to twenty years after the sponsored relative’s lands in Canada. If the sponsored relative receives social assistance during the period of undertaking, the Sponsor is liable to pay to the authorities any money given to the sponsored relative as social assistance. Authorities may also take legal recourse if required.
If the sponsor cannot meet the minimum financial requirements for Parent and Grandparent sponsorship he may add a Co-Sponsor. Married or common-law partners who are Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian citizens may be Co-sponsors. The obligations and responsibilities of the Co-Sponsor are the same as of the sponsor. They must sign the application forms as well as Undertaking to Support jointly with the sponsor.
