Other/Lonely Family Member

Other/Lonely Family Member Sponsorship

The primary goal of Canada’s family sponsorship program is to facilitate family reunification. Under certain conditions, one can sponsor other family members who may be alone or orphaned. This program enables the sponsorship of siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles, providing an avenue for family unity. If you’re seeking to sponsor a brother, sister, niece, or nephew who is under 18 years of age, orphaned, and without a spouse or common-law partner, this opportunity awaits.

You also have the option to sponsor other relatives like uncles or aunts if you are without a spouse or common-law partner. For expert guidance in reuniting with your family through the Other Relative Family sponsorship program, consult a reputable immigration consultant.

Eligibility to Sponsor Other Relatives

Several eligibility criteria must be met to sponsor relatives such as nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts. The sponsor must:

Have a Minimum Necessary Income.
Be 18 years of age or older.
Reside in Canada.
Be free from debt or bankruptcy proceedings.
Be prepared to submit the sponsorship application with all necessary forms and documents.
Be ready to accept the obligations of the undertaking.
Be free from any removal order restrictions.
Be free from any criminal convictions.

Duration of Undertaking

The undertaking to sponsor other relatives to Canada spans ten years. This ten-year period commences as soon as your relative becomes a permanent resident of Canada. During this time, the sponsored relative will not have access to social assistance. If the sponsor receives any social assistance during this period, they will be required to reimburse the government.

The undertaking also extends to the spouse or child of the sponsored relative. However, the sponsorship application won’t be impacted by disability-related social assistance.

The sponsor should be an individual who is alone, without a spouse or common-law partner. However, this is not a requirement for a sponsor when the relative is below 18 years of age and is an orphan.

Bankruptcy and Criminal Sentences

Sponsoring other relatives is not permitted if the sponsor is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Sponsorship eligibility for relatives can be obtained after the bankruptcy discharge. Consulting a bankruptcy consultant can provide insights into your options.

Similarly, a criminal conviction can disqualify you from sponsoring another relative. The extent of restrictions often hinges on the severity of the offense. However, if the sentence is over five years old and there’s no prior criminal record outside Canada within the same period, the sponsor may regain eligibility.

Sponsoring Siblings

Alternative options exist for sponsoring a brother or sister below 18 years of age who has lost both parents. Qualifying as a sponsor through the standard criteria mentioned earlier is a prerequisite. However, you may also sponsor a sibling over 18 years of age if you are a sponsor without certain immediate family members, including mother, father, child, spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or grandparents.

In cases where eligibility to sponsor a sibling over 18 years of age is not met, humanitarian and compassionate grounds could be pursued. Alternatively, you can explore other possibilities, such as:

Study Permit Option: Immigrating to Canada through a study permit. You can financially support your sibling or aid them in the study permit application process.
Business Partnership: Established business owners can consider securing a work permit if eligible.
Express Entry Application: Permanent residents can leverage the Comprehensive Ranking System to receive an Invitation to Apply.

Engaging an expert immigration counselor will provide a clear understanding of various options for sponsoring other lonely family members. Contact us today to explore the possibilities.

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