Family Class immigration allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency. This program is designed to reunite families and includes categories such as spousal sponsorship, dependent children, and parents and grandparents. I take pride in helping families navigate this process and ensuring loved ones can join you in Canada.

You can sponsor:

- Your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.

- Your dependent children (under 22 years of age or meeting specific criteria).

- Your parents or grandparents (under the Parents and Grandparents Program, which has limited spots).

- In some cases, other relatives if you have no immediate family in Canada.

Each case is unique, and I help clients determine eligibility and prepare strong sponsorship applications.

To sponsor a family member, you must:

- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered under the Indian Act.

- Be at least 18 years old.

- Prove you can financially support the sponsored person, if required (e.g., for parents and grandparents).

- Sign a sponsorship agreement to provide financial support for a specific period.

As an RCIC, I guide sponsors through these requirements and ensure all documentation is prepared correctly.

Yes, you can sponsor your spouse or common-law partner even if you’re not living together, but you must provide evidence of your genuine relationship. For conjugal partners, additional proof of why you cannot live together due to circumstances beyond your control is required. I help clients present compelling evidence to satisfy immigration officers.

Processing times vary depending on the category:

- Spousal Sponsorship: Typically 12 months.

- Dependent Children: Around 6-12 months.

- Parents and Grandparents: Can take up to 2 years or more, depending on the program intake.

I stay up to date with processing trends and help my clients plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays.

For spousal or dependent children sponsorship, financial proof is not typically required. However, for parents and grandparents, you must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for the past three years. I help sponsors calculate their income and prepare the required financial documentation.

A refusal can be disappointing, but it’s not the end of the road. I review the refusal letter carefully and help you:

- Address the reasons for refusal.

- File an appeal if applicable.

- Reapply with a stronger case and additional supporting documents.

Many of my clients have succeeded after a refusal by taking a more thorough and strategic approach.

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can sponsor your family member while living abroad, but you must show your intention to return to Canada once the sponsored person is approved. If you’re a permanent resident, you must reside in Canada to be eligible to sponsor. I provide guidance to ensure your application meets these specific criteria.

For spousal sponsorship, you must provide evidence that your relationship is genuine. This may include:

- Photos of your time together.

- Joint financial accounts or property ownership.

- Communication records (e.g., messages, emails).

- Affidavits from family and friends.

I work closely with my clients to ensure the submitted evidence tells a convincing story of their relationship.

If your family member is already in Canada and applies for permanent residency under an inland sponsorship, they may be eligible for an open work permit while waiting for their application to be processed. This provides financial and personal stability during the process. I assist clients in applying for these permits alongside their sponsorship applications.