Relatives Sponsorship is a family-based immigration program that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives who are living outside Canada to become permanent residents. Unlike the more common spousal or parent sponsorship programs, this category is designed to help reunite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with other extended family members who do not fit into the specific categories (e.g., parents, children, or spouses) of the regular family reunification programs.

Key Features of the Relatives Sponsorship Program:

1. Eligibility to Sponsor a Relative: To sponsor a relative under the Relatives Sponsorship Program, the sponsor (the Canadian citizen or permanent resident) must meet the following criteria:
   • Age Requirement: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
   • Canadian Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
   • Income Requirement: The sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) to prove they can support the relative financially. For sponsoring a relative, the sponsor needs to demonstrate they can support the relative without relying on social assistance.
   • Financial Commitment: The sponsor must sign a financial undertaking to support the relative for a set period. This is usually for 3 years (for most relatives), but it could vary based on the relationship type.
   • No Criminal or Immigration Violations: The sponsor should not have a criminal record, particularly for serious crimes or past immigration violations (e.g., failed sponsorships).
2. Eligibility of the Sponsored Relative: To be eligible for sponsorship, the relative must meet the following conditions:
   • Relationship Type: The relative must be an eligible family member, and the relationship must be recognized by Canadian immigration laws. This could include:
     • Brothers and Sisters (siblings).
     • Nephews and Nieces.
     • Uncles and Aunts.
     • Nieces and Nephews of the sponsor’s spouse.
   • Inadmissibility: The relative must not be inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as serious criminal convictions or health-related issues.
   • Age Limit: There is generally no age limit for relatives under this program, unlike the sponsorship of children or spouses. However, relatives who are dependents (i.e., financially dependent on the sponsor due to a physical or mental condition) may be treated differently in terms of eligibility.
   • Dependency: The relative must demonstrate that they are genuinely dependent on the sponsor if they are an adult relative (such as a sibling). If they are a minor, the dependency requirement is not applicable in the same way.
3. Types of Eligible Relatives: Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor the following relatives (provided they meet eligibility criteria):
   • Siblings: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their brothers and sisters.
   • Nephews and Nieces: A nephew or niece can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
   • Uncles and Aunts: Uncles and aunts can be sponsored as well, if they are the sole family member you are sponsoring.
   • Other Relatives: If you have a relative who is neither a spouse nor a child but is a single and dependent family member, you may be able to sponsor them if there is no other relative in Canada who can support them.
4. Financial Undertaking: As the sponsor, you must sign an undertaking to provide financial support for your relative and ensure they do not need to rely on public assistance.
   • The undertaking for relatives is typically 3 years, although it might be longer in certain circumstances.
   • You must prove that you can financially support your relative by providing documents such as tax returns, employment records, or bank statements.
5. Proof of Relationship: The sponsor must provide proof of relationship to the relative. This can include:
   • Birth certificates (for siblings, nephews, nieces).
   • Family tree or other documentation that shows the relationship between the sponsor and the relative.
   • Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable).
6. Special Considerations:
   • Dependency on Sponsor: If the relative is over 18 years old but still financially dependent on the sponsor due to a medical condition or disability, they may still be eligible for sponsorship as a dependent relative.
   • Adopted Relatives: If the relative is an adopted child, their adoption must be recognized by Canadian authorities.
7. Limitations on Sponsoring Certain Relatives:
   • Generally, cousins, grandparents, and in-laws are not eligible for sponsorship under this program.
   • Siblings may also be subject to additional scrutiny if there are concerns about the sponsor’s financial capability to support them.

Process of Sponsoring a Relative:

1. Eligibility Check:
   • First, the sponsor must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, including proving their income and ability to support the relative.
2. Application Package:
   • Both the sponsor and the relative must submit an application package to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The package will include:
     • The sponsorship forms.
     • Immigration forms for the relative.
     • Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificates, family documents).
     • Police clearance (for the relative).
     • Medical exams for the relative.
3. Submission of Application:
   • The sponsor submits the complete application to IRCC and pays the required processing fees. The relative may also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photos).
4. Wait for Processing:
   • The processing time for a relative sponsorship application can vary, but it generally takes 12-24 months. Processing time depends on factors such as the type of relative, completeness of the application, security checks, and the relative’s country of origin.
5. Medical and Security Screening:
   • The relative must undergo a medical examination as part of the application process to ensure they are not a health risk to Canada.
   • Police certificates from the relative’s country of residence may be required if the relative is over 18 years old or has lived in another country for more than 6 months after turning 18.
6. Decision on the Application:
   • If the application is approved, the relative will be granted permanent residency and can join the sponsor in Canada.
   • If the application is refused, the sponsor can appeal the decision if they are eligible for appeal, or they may choose to submit a new application with stronger documentation.

Key Points to Remember:

• Annual Quota: The Relatives Sponsorship Program is less commonly used than spousal or parent sponsorships, but it can be an excellent way to bring family members together. However, some relatives, such as cousins or in-laws, are not eligible.
• Income Requirements: Sponsors must demonstrate their ability to provide financial support to their relatives for several years.
• Lengthy Processing Times: Processing times can be long, so it’s important to plan ahead and gather all necessary documents early.
• No Sponsorship for Cousins, Grandparents, or In-laws: The program does not cover extended family members such as cousins, grandparents, or in-laws, except for certain dependents in specific cases.

Conclusion:

Sponsoring a relative can be a great way to bring your loved ones to Canada, but it requires careful preparation, financial commitment, and proof of the relationship. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and wish to sponsor a sibling, niece, or nephew, this is a viable pathway for family reunification.

If you need more information or assistance with the application process, feel free to ask! I’m here to help.