A Guide to Canada Family Visa Requirements, Process & Fees

Are you looking to reunite with your loved ones in Canada or sponsor a family member for immigration? The Canada Family Visa Requirements, Process, and fees are essential for a smooth and successful application. So, Let's get started on this journey to bring families together in the land of opportunity!

What is a Canada Family Visa?

A Canada family visa is a type of visa that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members to come to Canada as permanent residents. The family members who can be sponsored include:

Eligible Family Members for Canada Family Visa

• Spouse (whether residing outside the country, inland, or in a same-sex union)
• Common-law partner
• Conjugal partner
• Dependent children
• Parents and grandparents
• Siblings, nephews, nieces, granddaughters, or grandsons who are under 18 years old, orphaned, and not married or in a common-law partnership
• Other relatives of any age or relationship, subject to specific conditions
• Accompanying family members of the above, such as spouses, partners, and dependent children.

Canada Family PR Eligibility Requirements

The first step in the Canada Family Visa process is to check your eligibility as a sponsor. The Canadian government has set certain requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible to sponsor a family member. Some of the key visa requirements include:

• Sponsor Eligibility: To be a sponsor, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident living in Canada. You must also be at least 18 years old and willing to support your family member financially.
• Relationship Eligibility: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor the following family members: spouses or common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Ensure that you can prove the genuineness of your relationship with the sponsored family member.
• Financial Eligibility: Sponsors must demonstrate the ability to financially support the family member they are sponsoring, ensuring they don't rely on social assistance from the government.
• Sponsorship Undertaking: You must sign an undertaking, a legally binding agreement, to provide financial support to the sponsored family member for a specific period.
• Minimum Necessary Income (MNI): In order to sponsor family members, it is essential to demonstrate that you meet the minimum income threshold, indicating that your income is adequate to provide financial support for all individuals for whom you will assume financial responsibility.

Canada Family Visa Requirements: Ineligibility Conditions

You may not be eligible to sponsor your family members such as parents or grandparents if you have any of the following conditions:

• You have not met the financial support obligations for a previously sponsored relative.
• You have received financial assistance from the Canadian government (except for disability benefits).
• You have been convicted of a violent or sexual offense, or any offense against a relative. You have defaulted on a court-ordered support payment, such as child support.
• You have payments, made late payments, or defaulted on an immigration loan.
• You are currently in prison.
• You are currently bankrupt.

Check: Different Canada Visa types from India for Indians

Benefits of Canada Family Visa

The benefits of applying for a Canada Family Visa are numerous. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Sponsored family members become Canadian permanent residency
• Right to live, work and study in Canada
• government-funded healthcare
• free education till the age of 18
• Subsidized rate of education at the university level
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security
• Guaranteed Income Supplement

Canada Family Visa Application Process: Required Documents

When applying for a Canada Family Visa through the immigration process, specific documents are essential for all applicants. Proper documentation ensures a smooth and organized application process.

The following documents are mandatory:

• Invitation Letter
• Financial Support Documentation
• Agreement of Mutual Obligations and Responsibilities
• Undertaking to Provide Basic Needs for Sponsored Family Members

Canada Family Visa Process: How to Apply?

The process of sponsoring a family member to come to Canada, is also known as family sponsorship, which is a multi-step process. So, here’s a step-by-step guide for the Canada Family Visa Process:

Step 1: Sponsorship Application

• The first step in the Canada Family Visa process is for the sponsor to submit an application to the Government of Canada.
• This application includes the undertaking and other supporting documents to establish eligibility.
• Ensure to include all required forms and documentation, as incomplete applications may lead to delays or rejection.

Step 2: Sponsored Family Member's Application

• Once the sponsor's application is approved, the sponsored family member(s) can proceed with their application.
• They must provide all necessary documents, including medical exams, police certificates, and biometrics if required.
• Schedule your biometrics collection appointment promptly to avoid delays. Biometrics collection is a mandatory step for most applicants.
• Each sponsored family member must also complete a separate application and pay the associated fees.

Step 3: Processing Times

• The processing time for a Canada family visa can vary depending on the circumstances of your application. However, you can track the progress of your application online.

Step 4: Decision on the Application

• After a thorough examination of the applications, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will make a decision.
• If approved, the sponsored family member(s) will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) if required.

Step 5: Arrival in Canada

• Upon approval, the sponsored family member(s) can travel to Canada and become a permanent resident.
• It's important to note that they must report to the Canadian authorities at the port of entry and present their COPR to complete the immigration process.

Canada Family Visa Application Process: Required Documents

When applying for a Canada Family Visa through the immigration process, specific documents are essential for all applicants. Proper documentation ensures a smooth and organized application process.

The following documents are mandatory:

• Invitation Letter
• Financial Support Documentation
• Agreement of Mutual Obligations and Responsibilities
• Undertaking to Provide Basic Needs for Sponsored Family Members

Check How to apply for Canadian permanent residency from India in 2023

Canada Family Visa Fees

It's crucial to be aware of the Canada Family Visa fees associated with the Canada Family Visa process. So, here's a table with an additional column indicating the approximate conversion of CAD to INR (Indian Rupees) based on a rough exchange rate of 1 CAD = 61.25 INR:

Note: The tables under each of these Canada visa fees were taken from the official website of the Canadian government.

Canada Family Visa Fees Breakdown

The application fee for sponsoring a family member to come to Canada is CAD$1,050. Additional biometrics fees and medical exam fees may apply. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the fees involved in a Canada Family Visa Process:

• Sponsorship Fee: The sponsor must pay a processing fee of $75 CAD to submit their sponsorship application.
• Principal Applicant Fee: Each sponsored family member who is 18 years or older must pay a processing fee of $49- CAD.
• Dependent Child Fee: For children under 22 years of age, the processing fee is $155 CAD per child.
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): This fee applies to sponsored spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners and is $515 CAD.

Note: Exchange rates can fluctuate, so, it's advisable to check the current rate when making payments or conversions. These fees are subject to change, year on year.

How GetGIS Can Help You Navigate the Canada Family Visa Process?

Canada Family Visa requirements, process, & fees can be challenging. But with proper guidance and preparation, you can successfully reunite with your loved ones or sponsor them for a new life and a brighter future in Canada.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can take the first step towards a brighter future with your family in Canada. If you are still unsure about canada family visa requirements, or Canada family visa process or canada family visa fees, you can reach out to the GetGIS Experts for a smooth and successful canada family visa process.

Consult with Our Seasoned Experts, Book Your Free Consultation Today!

Useful Links:

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• Cost of studying in Canada for Indian Student