Cic news family sponsorship

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) offers a family sponsorship program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members to come to Canada as permanent residents. Here are the general steps and requirements for the family sponsorship program:

Eligible Family Members:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children (under 22 years old, or over 22 if dependent due to a disability)
• Parents or step-parents
• Grandparents or step-grandparents
• Siblings or step-siblings (if the sponsor is 18 years or older)
• Grandchildren or step-grandchildren (if the sponsor is 18 years or older)

Sponsorship Requirements:

• The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
• The sponsor must have sufficient income to support the sponsored family member(s).
• The sponsor must sign an undertaking to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored family member(s) for a period of 20 years.
• The sponsor must demonstrate that they will be able to provide for the sponsored family member(s) without relying on social assistance.

Application Process:

1. The sponsor submits an application to sponsor a family member to CIC.
2. The sponsor provides proof of their identity, citizenship or permanent resident status, and income.
3. The sponsor completes a sponsorship agreement, which outlines their obligations to support the sponsored family member(s).
4. The sponsored family member(s) submit their own application to CIC, including proof of their relationship to the sponsor and their eligibility to immigrate to Canada.
5. CIC processes the applications and conducts an interview with the sponsor and the sponsored family member(s).
6. If the applications are approved, the sponsored family member(s) are granted permanent resident status and can move to Canada.

Processing Times:

• The processing time for family sponsorship applications can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the workload of CIC.
• On average, it can take 12-24 months for CIC to process a family sponsorship application.

Fees:

• The sponsor must pay a sponsorship fee, which is currently $550.
• The sponsored family member(s) must pay a processing fee, which is currently $550 per person.

Language Requirements:

• The sponsored family member(s) must demonstrate language proficiency in one of Canada's official languages (English or French) to be eligible for permanent resident status.

Medical Inadmissibility:

• The sponsored family member(s) must undergo a medical examination to ensure they do not pose a risk to public health or safety.

Background Checks:

• The sponsored family member(s) must undergo a background check to ensure they do not have a criminal record or pose a security risk to Canada.

It's important to note that the family sponsorship program is subject to change, and CIC may have additional requirements or restrictions in place. It's recommended that you consult the CIC website or consult with a qualified immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information and guidance on the family sponsorship program.