September 1 - 15 , 2016 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY IMMIGRATION CORNER A17
The Notary Corner
By Editha Corrales Nelson Immigration Consultant , Notary Public , Mediation / Arbitrator
Some relatives may be eligible to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents .
If you have relatives who want to immigrate to Canada under the Family Class , you must sponsor them . You and your relatives must meet certain requirements .
Your relatives must have medical , criminal and background checks . They may not be allowed to enter Canada if they have a criminal record or are a risk to Canada ’ s security . They may have to get a police certificate from police in their home country . The application kit explains medical , criminal and background checks .
• Sponsoring an eligible relative
• Who you can sponsor SPONSORING AN
ELIGIBLE RELATIVE
You can sponsor certain relatives if you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and if you are 18 or older .
You may not be able to sponsor a relative if you :
• sponsored another relative in the past and did not meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement ,
• a r e in default of alimony or child support payments ,
• got government financial help for reasons other than being disabled ,
• were convicted of a violent crime , any offence against a relative or any sexual offence , depending on details of the case , such as o the type of offence , o how long ago it was and o whether a record suspension was issued
• did not pay back an immigration loan , made late payments or missed payments ,
• are in prison , or
• have declared bankruptcy and have not been released from it yet .
Other things not on this list may stop you from being able to sponsor a relative .
To be a sponsor you must :
• meet set income guidelines , and
• agree in writing to give financial support to your relative and any other eligible relatives coming with them for up to
DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY – SPONSOR YOUR ELIGIBLE RELATIVES
10 years , depending on their age and how you are related . ( This time period begins on the date they become a permanent resident .)
The person you sponsor must promise to try to support themselves . Dependent children under age 19 do not have to sign this agreement .
If you live in Quebec , you must also meet Quebec ’ s conditions to be a sponsor after Citizenship and Immigration Canada approves you as a sponsor . For instance , you must sign an “ undertaking ” with the province — a contract that binds the sponsorship .
If you are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and you plan to return to Canada when your relatives immigrate , you may sponsor your spouse , commonlaw or conjugal partner , or dependent children who have no dependent children .
To sponsor any other eligible relatives , you must live in Canada .
WHO YOU CAN SPONSOR
Depending on your circumstances , there are two options for who you can sponsor . Option 1 – Orphaned close relatives
You can sponsor close relatives , related by blood or adoption , such as brothers , sisters , nephews , nieces , or grandchildren only if they meet all of the following conditions :
• They are orphaned ,
• They are under 18 , and
• They do not have a spouse , common law partner , or conjugal partner . Option 2 – Other relative You may sponsor one relative , related by blood or adoption , of any age if you meet all of the following conditions :
• you do not have a spouse , common-law partner , or conjugal partner , or one of the following living relatives you could sponsor instead : o son or daughter , o parent , o grandparent , o brother or sister , o uncle , aunt , o nephew or niece .
• you do not have any of the above-named relatives who is a : o Canadian citizen , o permanent resident , or o registered Indian under the Indian Act .
If the relative you want to sponsor has a spouse , partner , or dependent children who will come with them to Canada you must include them on the same sponsorship application .
If your relative does not qualify for sponsorship they may still be able to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant through Express Entry . Express Entry manages applications for certain economic immigration programs and selects applicants for their skills , experience and ability to contribute to Canada ’ s economy . Express Entry candidates may be awarded points for having a family member living in Canada . More information is available on the Express Entry web page .
Strictly taken from cic . gc . ca • The following should not be construed as providing legal advice and information in this column is intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific circumstances without further consultation . For more information on the subject , contact Editha Corrales Nelson at 604-777-2757 .
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