Canada's immigrant-friendly policies and the various work and study opportunities available in Canada make the country an attractive option for people who want to sponsor their children to Canada. Once your child gets a Canadian visa, they can become a permanent resident of the country, work, study, and start a new life. Additionally, they can also apply for Canadian citizenship once they're eligible. But what do immigration lawyers say about the Canadian child sponsorship stream?

 

This blog discusses how Canadian residents and citizens can help their children get a Canadian visa.

Introducing the Family Sponsorship Program for Children

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) Department has a family sponsorship program that allows Canadian citizens and residents to sponsor their family members from other countries, helping them get Canadian visas quickly. However, you must meet certain requirements to sponsor your child in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria of the Parent

Here are the eligibility criteria for the child sponsorship program in Canada.

 

You can only sponsor your child if you're over the age of 18.Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents of the country can sponsor their children. If you're a temporary resident of Canada, you need to get registered as a permanent resident before applying for this stream. Additionally, Canadian citizens living outside of Canada must show that they plan on living in Canada once their sponsored child arrives. Permanent residents of Canada who reside outside the country can't sponsor their children.People who are registered in Canada as Indians according to the Canadian Indian Actcan also apply for the family sponsorship program and help their children get Canadian visas.Individuals need to show that they'll be responsible for the financial necessities of their children and can provide for them once they reach Canada and stay here on permanent resident visas.Differently-abled individuals who receive Canadian government support can also sponsor their child. However, people registered in other social assistance programs can't apply for child sponsorship in Canada.

 

Eligibility Criteria of the Child

However, people who want to sponsor their children need to remember that they can only apply for Canadian visas for their dependent children. In Canada, children who are under the age of 22 and don't have a spouse or a common law partner qualify as dependent children. However, suppose your child is over the age of 22. In that case, they can still be considered dependent children if they have any physical or mental health disability that prevents them from working and financially supporting themselves.

 

Additionally, you can still declare your 22+-year-old child as dependent by showing that you have been financially supporting them since before they turned 22. Here are the eligibility criteria for the dependent child you want to sponsor to Canada.

 

The child needs to show that the other parent or any other legal guardian agrees to the child getting a Canadian visa.If your child has a child of their own, they also need to include your grandchild in the application as your child's dependent.Your child shouldn't have any criminal or medical inadmissibility to Canada.If you're sponsoring an adopted child, the child must get consent from their biological parents or guardians.

 

Steps to Sponsor Your Child

Once you ensure that you and your dependent child meet the eligibility criteria, you must follow some steps to start the child sponsorship process. Follow this guide.

 

The process starts with the parent downloading all the forms in the application process. Once downloaded, the parent has to fill it out and digitally sign it alongside adding the signatures of the child or the principal applicant.The child needs to upload those forms to their online application and add their digital signatures alongside the signatures of their other parent or legal guardian.Attach the required documents, which include the background declaration form, the additional family information documents, photos of both the sponsor and the principal applicant, and fingerprints.End the process by paying your application fees online.Sit back and wait for your child sponsorship application to be processed.

 

Hire an Immigration Lawyer from Nanda & Associate Lawyers

However, navigating the process of helping your child get a Canadian visa can be challenging, making it essential to hire an immigration lawyer. Nanda & Associate Lawyers has immigration consultants in Mississauga, Brampton, and Toronto who can guide you through the process. These Canadian immigration lawyers can help you gather the required documents, ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, and guide you while filling out the application. Additionally, these immigration lawyers also help people who want to get Canadian work visas, apply for the new pathway to permanent residence, and learn about spousal sponsorship.

 

Book a consultation session with them and help your child get a Canadian visa.

About the Author

This blog was contributed by Veena C. Gupta, an immigration lawyer, affiliated with Nanda & Associate Lawyers. She has been a licensed immigration consultant in Canada since 2004 and has handled many complicated immigration cases.