Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sponsoring Family Members to Canada

Sponsoring family members to Canada comes with significant responsibilities that demand meticulous preparation and attention to detail. The family sponsorship process might be challenging if you do not fully understand Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) requirements. Still, it is a convenient method of sponsoring family members to Canada. Sponsoring family members to Canada requires you to master several vital aspects.

We offer a detailed guide to help you avoid common pitfalls in the family sponsorship process for Canadian permanent residency.

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Incomplete or Inaccurate Documentation

Documentation errors can significantly affect your family sponsorship application to Canada. Your ability to prepare and submit paperwork properly is vital to succeeding in the application process with IRCC.

Missing Required Forms

Your family sponsorship application might be returned immediately if you overlook the required forms. IRCC provides a complete checklist of required documents that need your careful review. The core team requires these documents:

• Proof of identity and relationship,
• Financial documentation,
• Medical examination results,
• Police certificates, and
• Signed declarations.

Outdated Versions of Forms

Using outdated forms can seriously delay your family sponsorship process. Another reason your application might face rejection is that IRCC updates its application forms frequently. Your application will likely be returned if you submit an old version. Always download the latest versions directly from the IRCC website before starting your application process.

Incorrect Information Provided

Wrong or misleading information on your family sponsorship application can damage your chances. The Canadian government calls this misrepresentation. This can result in:

• Your application was refused,
• You might be banned from entering Canada, and
• Future immigration problems that last years.

If you need help submitting your paperwork, contact IRCC immediately through their web form. Remember that even innocent mistakes can affect your application's success. You need to send a detailed letter that explains any updates after submission. Make sure to include documents that prove these changes.

The best way to avoid problems is to review everything carefully before you send it. Keep copies of all documents you submit to IRCC. IRCC might return incomplete applications. You will have 90 days from when you first signed to send everything back with the missing documents. Your application's processing clock starts only after IRCC gets all the required paperwork.

Failure to Meet Financial Requirements

Financial requirements are vital in Canada's family sponsorship process. IRCC implemented these income thresholds five years ago to ensure sponsors provide adequate support to their family members.

Not Meeting Minimum Income Thresholds

Sponsors must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements across three consecutive tax years before being invited to apply. The 2024 intake requires proof of adequate income from 2023, 2022, and 2021. It is worth mentioning that sponsors of parents or grandparents need income levels 30% above the MNI threshold.

Insufficient Proof of Income

The Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is your main proof of financial capacity. Your total income includes:

• Regular employment income,
• Special Employment Insurance benefits, and
• Canada Emergency Response Benefits.

Note that your income calculation excludes provincial social assistance, regular Employment Insurance, and specific government allowances.

Miscalculating Family Size

People often make mistakes when calculating family unit size on family sponsorship applications. Your family size needs to include:

• Yourself as the sponsor,
• Your spouse or common-law partner,
• Your dependent children,
• The persons you are sponsoring and their dependents, and
• Anyone you currently support under a previous sponsorship undertaking.

Your calculation must include all family members, regardless of their Canadian citizenship status or plans to move to Canada. You can add a co-signer to combine incomes if you do not meet the income requirements independently. The co-signer must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Your financial obligations start when your sponsored family member gets Canadian permanent residency. These responsibilities continue even if your relationship changes or you face financial hardship later.

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Misrepresentation of Relationship

Proving your relationship's authenticity becomes vital to Canada's family sponsorship application process. IRCC needs genuine proof of your relationship to determine your application's success or failure.

Lack of Evidence of a Genuine Relationship

IRCC needs strong proof that your relationship is authentic and not just for immigration. More than marriage certificates are required. Everything in your application should include:

• Joint financial records or shared expenses,
• Communication records (messages, emails, call logs),
• Photographs that show your relationship's growth,
• Travel documentation of visits, and
• Statements from family and friends.

Inconsistencies in Relationship History

Your relationship timeline needs to match perfectly across your documents. Immigration officers look into how your relationship developed, including your first meeting and how you kept in touch. Be prepared for potential interviews. Officers might ask you and your spouse questions separately to check if your stories match. You need solid evidence to explain any gaps in your timeline or times you spent apart.

Failure to Disclose Previous Relationships

Your family sponsorship application requires complete transparency about past relationships. All previous marriages, common-law partnerships, and marital relationships must be included in your disclosure. Failing to declare past relationships could lead to severe repercussions:

• Application refusal,
• Five-year ban from applying, and
• Potential inadmissibility for misrepresentation.

Common-law partner applications require proof of continuous cohabitation for at least 12 months. Conjugal partnership applicants must show that marriage or living together was impossible due to circumstances beyond their control. IRCC might request additional documents or schedule interviews to verify your relationship's authenticity.

Not Disclosing Important Information

The Canadian family sponsorship application demands complete honesty from applicants. Applicants who hide significant information face serious problems that can damage their chances with IRCC.

Criminal History or Security Concerns

Family sponsorship applications require you to disclose your criminal history and security concerns. IRCC needs a full picture of your background, and all police certificates are mandatory for applicants and family members 18 and older. You need to submit certificates from:

• Your present country of residence (if you have lived there for six months or more),
• The country where you have lived most of your adult life, and
• Any country where you have stayed for six months or more.

Rehabilitation programs or temporary resident permits might help if you have a criminal record. Note that you must disclose even dropped charges to avoid potential risks of misrepresentation.

Medical Issues

Medical examinations are significant in your family sponsorship application. Your online account will provide instructions on how to complete an immigration medical examination (IME). You must complete this within 30 days of notification. Please comply to avoid application refusal. Medical inadmissibility stems from three most significant problems:

• Danger to public health,
• Danger to public safety, and
• Excessive demand for health services.

The rules protect family unity by exempting spouses, common-law partners, and their dependent children from the excessive demand category.

Previous Immigration Applications or Refusals

Your immigration history must be completely transparent. Your family sponsorship application requires full disclosure of:

• All previous applications to Canada,
• Any visa refusals from any country,
• Previous removal orders or deportations, and
• Prior immigration violations.

Your permanent residence status could be revoked if IRCC finds undisclosed information after approval. This could lead to removal from Canada. Professional guidance might help if you need clarification on any part of your history.

A procedural fairness letter about undisclosed information gives you 90 days to respond. You will need to provide a detailed explanation with supporting documentation. Proactive and honest disclosure that maintains your application's integrity increases your chances of success with IRCC significantly.

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FAQs

What is the Required Income to Sponsor a Family Member in Canada?

The income necessary to sponsor a family in Canada depends on the tax records from the three years preceding the application year. For instance, if you are applying in 2024, you must provide income information for the previous three years.

How Long Does Financial Responsibility Last When Sponsoring Someone in Canada?

When you sponsor a family member or relative in Canada, your financial responsibility typically continues until the person you sponsored becomes a Canadian citizen or meets specific conditions set by Canadian immigration laws.

Can a Sponsorship be Revoked if the Sponsored Family Members Behave Poorly?

Once the sponsorship process is complete and the sponsored family members have received their permanent residency, the sponsorship cannot be easily revoked, even if they do not contribute financially or behave poorly. Legal advice may be necessary to explore any possible actions.