Family Class

Family reunification is an important component of Canada's immigration agenda. Of the 235,824 immigrant visas granted in 2004, over 62,000 visas were allocated to family sponsorship under the Family Class program. Canada's current Immigration Plan sets out a long range goal of welcoming approximately 60,000 to 65,000 Family Class Visa Applicants per year.

The Family Visa allows for Canadian citizens or Permanent Resident relatives, aged 18 years and over to sponsor certain close family members. This category is composed of several different sub-classes.

The Sponsor must be able to financially support the immigrant (and dependents) and to provide for their essential needs. There are also strict income requirements that the Sponsor must meet to qualify. However, if the Sponsor is sponsoring a spouse or a dependent child under the age of 19 who is unmarried, then these strict income requirements do not apply. However the sponsor must still demonstrate his or her ability to financially support the immigrant.

The Sponsor must also sign a Sponsorship Agreement between the Sponsor and the Immigrant as well as enter into an agreement with the Government of Canada. The Sponsor, in entering into the agreement with the Government of Canada, agrees to provide for the essential needs of the immigrant and dependents for a prescribed period of time. Failure to meet any of the terms and conditions provided for in this agreement could result in legal action being taken against the Sponsor.

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