Facilitating Family Reunification in Canada Through Family Class Sponsorship/Sponsor

Canada’s family class sponsorship program enables families from diverse countries to unite and reside together in the country. To be eligible for sponsorship, ie in order to be a sponsor, a child needs to qualify as a dependent, meeting these criteria:

They must be the child, whether natural or adopted, of a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. They should be below 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law partnership.

Exception for Children Over 22:

Are affected by a medical or mental condition that hinders self-sufficiency. Are financially reliant on their parents due to being under 22.

Proof of Parent-Child Relationship through Assisted Reproductive Technologies:

In cases involving assisted reproductive technologies, vital documents such as birth certificates and evidence confirming the claiming parent’s biological role, spouse status, or common-law partnership during birth serve as verification.

Dependent Child Status:

Dependent children must remain single until they attain permanent residency. This applies even if they are divorced, widowed, had their marriage annulled, or were not in a common-law partnership during application.

Biological Connection Verification:

A birth certificate or baptismal record is one way to establish a biological connection. Legal documents, including birth certificates and evidence of the parent’s biological role or partnership, are accepted for proving parent-child ties. Surrogacy and Genetic Link: Even if conceived through surrogacy, a child may be recognized as a “biological child” if there is a genetic parent-child relationship, and they are legally acknowledged by the sponsor or their spouse/partner.

Custody and Permission:

When custody orders are in place, evidence of legal authority to remove the child from their current country of residence is required. For a child to immigrate to Canada with the aim of becoming a permanent resident, written permission from the parent or guardian is essential. A court order can substitute for permission if the parent or guardian denies it.

Shared Custody Considerations:

When parents share custody, the non-custodial parent’s written statement of non-objection to the child’s permanent residence application in Canada is mandatory. Canada’s family class sponsorship program stands as a pathway for families to reunite, fostering stronger family bonds on Canadian soil.