Other Family members Sponsorship
In specific cases, Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the ability to sponsor relatives who are not considered immediate family members. This sponsorship program is designed for those who may not have a spouse, child, or parent to sponsor, but still wish to reunite with other close family members under special circumstances.
There are two primary categories under which you can sponsor non-immediate relatives:
1
Sponsoring Orphaned Relatives
In general, you cannot sponsor a sibling, nephew, niece, or other non-immediate family member under the Family Class sponsorship program, except in very specific situations.
You may sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild under the following conditions:
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Relationship: The relative must be related to you by blood or adoption.
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Parental Status: Both of the child’s parents must have passed away.
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Age: The relative must be under 18 years old.
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Marital Status: The relative must be single, meaning they are unmarried and not in a common-law or conjugal relationship.
Ineligible Cases:
You cannot sponsor an orphaned relative if:
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One or both of their parents are still alive.
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The whereabouts of the parents are unknown.
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Their parents have abandoned them, are in jail, or if another individual is responsible for their care.
2
Sponsoring Other Relatives by Blood or Adoption
This program is designed for unique cases where sponsors do not have close immediate family to sponsor, but wish to support and reunite with other family members in Canada.
You may sponsor one other relative under this category if:
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You have no other immediate family members to sponsor, such as:
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A spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
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A son, daughter, parent, or grandparent.
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An orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild.
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You do not have any other relatives who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered under the Indian Act.
Additional Notes:
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If the sponsored relative has family members such as a spouse or dependent children, those family members must be included in the same sponsorship application
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Sponsoring non-immediate family members to Canada is a more complex and limited process than sponsoring immediate family members. Most applicants need to meet special criteria, such as being an orphaned minor or an adult dependent relative. If your family member does not qualify for sponsorship under the Family Class, they may still have other immigration options, such as applying through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.
