Canadian authorities have always promoted an immigration policy whose rules and regulations are made to facilitate the reunion of Canadian Citizens and permanent residents with their relatives from abroad. The application for immigration via the sponsorship of a family member who is a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident is called a family class immigration application.

Sponsorship of a family member

All family class applications require the sponsorship by a family member resident in Canada. Such a sponsor will act as a guarantor for the applicant, and must consent in writing to provide lodging, care and support for a period ranging from 1 to 10 years, once the applicant arrives in Canada.

The sponsor must be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident, must reside in Canada and be at least 19 years old.

Who is included in the Family class?

The following relatives are eligible for consideration as family class applicants:

• spouse or fiancée.
• dependent son/daughter
• parent or grandparent
• orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild who must be unmarried and under 19 years of age at the time of submission of the immigration application.
• Child adopted before the child's 19 the birthday
• Child intended to be adopted before the child's 19th birthday
• Any other relative, providing the sponsor has no close relatives in Canada and cannot sponsor any regular Family class relatives.

The sponsored relative must also meet basic standards of medical requirements and be of sound character.