Canada’s sponsorship program is designed to provide support and assistance to foreign nationals who wish to come to Canada and establish permanent residency. The program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their family members, such as spouses, common-law partners, children, parents, and grandparents. However, one of the most commonly asked questions by people interested in sponsoring someone is how long the sponsorship process takes and how long it lasts. In this article, we will discuss in detail the duration of sponsorship in Canada.
Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship
When a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsors their spouse or common-law partner, they are committing to supporting them financially for three years after they become permanent residents of Canada. This period is known as the sponsorship undertaking period. During this time, the sponsor is responsible for providing financial support to their partner and meeting their basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. If the sponsored person receives social assistance during this period, the sponsor may be required to repay the government.
In addition to the financial commitment, the sponsor must also ensure that their partner meets the eligibility requirements for permanent residency. The processing time for spousal/common-law partner sponsorship applications varies depending on the case and can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada. The sponsorship undertaking period for parent and grandparent sponsorship is 20 years, which is significantly longer than spousal/common-law partner sponsorship. During this period, the sponsor is responsible for providing financial support to their sponsored family member and ensuring that they meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency.
Parent and grandparent sponsorship applications are processed through a lottery system, with a limited number of spots available each year. The processing time for these applications can be longer than spousal/common-law partner sponsorship, with some cases taking up to two years or more.
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children to come to Canada. The sponsorship undertaking period for dependent child sponsorship is also three years, during which the sponsor is responsible for providing financial support to their child and ensuring that they meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency. The processing time for dependent child sponsorship applications varies depending on the case and can take anywhere from six to 12 months.
Other Family Member Sponsorship
In addition to spousal/common-law partner, parent and grandparent, and dependent child sponsorship, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also sponsor other family members, such as siblings, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren. However, the sponsorship undertaking period for these types of sponsorship is 10 years, which is longer than spousal/common-law partner but shorter than parent and grandparent sponsorship.
The processing time for other family member sponsorship applications can vary significantly depending on the case and may take several years to complete.
Conclusion:
Sponsorship in Canada is a complex process that involves a commitment by the sponsor to financially support their sponsored family member and ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency. The duration of the sponsorship undertaking period varies depending on the type of sponsorship, with spousal/common-law partner and dependent child sponsorship lasting for three years, parent and grandparent sponsorship lasting for 20 years, and other family member sponsorship lasting for 10 years. Additionally, the processing time for sponsorship applications can vary significantly depending on the case and may take anywhere from six months to several years to complete. It is essential to understand the commitments and responsibilities involved in sponsoring someone before submitting an application and seeking professional advice if needed.
