
PARENTS SPONSORSHIP
Since 2014, when the Program for Family Sponsorship has been reopened to accept 5000 applications, the Government of Canada makes continuous efforts to help reunite even more parents and grandparents with their families in Canada. The chart below demonstrates the gradual increase in number of applications accepted.
Within the framework of the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification, in 2014 and 2015, the quota was set at 5000 applications per year, but in 2016 – 2017 the number of accepted applications increased to 10 000 per year.
August 2018 was a breakthrough when the cap had been raised to 17,000. The admission level is expected to be up to 21000, in 2020.
Similar to the application procedure for 2017-2018, applications for parent sponsorship are to be submitted online only. However, as of January 2019, the first submission of an online Interest to Sponsor form will be processed based on the order in which it is received by IRCC, that is “first come-first served”. The Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship eliminated the derogatory random selection of the sponsors to apply. During the second step, applicants will receive a relevant online notification and will have 60 days to submit the complete application package for further detailed consideration by immigration authorities. The intake process will continue until the 2019 cap of 20000 complete applications is reached.
Considering the substantial improvements to the parents and grandparents sponsorship process, the option to request permanent residence for the named family class has been mostly taken away from the Humanitarian and Compassionate Program (HCP).
As an alternative, in case of family reunification, Canada offers to apply for a Super Visa. This is a multiple entry visa for parents and/or grandparents valid for up to 10 years allowing them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time, with a possibility to partially extend their stay while remaining in Canada.
Each of the two aforementioned options for reuniting with parents and grandparents living in other countries have specific application criteria and requirements. Both options impose serious financial obligations on the sponsor in Canada regarding the sponsored family members, and these requirements are increasing yearly.
Although other criteria are no less significant, the financial support is the main requirement in this immigration category.
*Note: The province of Quebec has its own list of requirements, which is not considered on this page.
Number of Family members |
Minimum Necessary Income 2017 |
Minimum Necessary Income 2016 |
Minimum Necessary Income 2015 |
---|---|---|---|
2 persons | $39,813 | $39,371 | $38,618 |
3 persons | $48,945 | $48,404 | $47,476 |
4 persons | $59,426 | $58,768 | $57,642 |
5 persons | $67,400 | $66,654 | $65,377 |
6 persons | $76,015 | $75,174 | $73,733 |
7 persons | $84,631 | $83,695 | $82,091 |
Over 7 persons, for each additional person |
$8,616 | $8,522 | $8,358 |
If applying for parent and grandparent sponsorship in 2019, the sponsor in Canada must provide proof of income for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Super Visa applicants are required to provide a proof of income for a shorter period.
Updated: August 2018