According to information released by the IRCC, India is the largest source of permanent residents who come to Canada through Family Sponsorship programs.
In spite of the border restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 4,140 Indians came to Canada under the Family Sponsorship Program in the first six months of 2020 putting India at the top in the list of countries that send permanent residents through this program.
| Country | No of permanent residents through Family Sponsorship |
| India | 4,140 |
| China | 2,930 |
| Philippines | 2,295 |
| USA | 1,630 |
| Pakistan | 1,030 |
This program has become a popular means to gain permanent residence in Canada and is expected to be an important method for migrants once the travel restrictions are lifted later this year.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, India sent a huge number of permanent residents to Canada through family sponsorship programs, which went up to 17,660 in 2019.
Family sponsorship program features
Individuals who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada can sponsor their family members for PR status if they are 18 years or older. They are eligible to sponsor the following categories of family members:
- Spouse
- Conjugal partner
- Common-law partner
- Dependent or adopted children
- Parents
- Grandparents
Relatives can live, work and study in Canada and later become permanent residents.
An important aspect of the family sponsorship program is the spousal sponsorship program that allows permanent residents to bring their spouse or common law partner to Canada.
When your spouse is outside Canada you should apply under the Family Class (outland) category. Your spouse can come to the country on a temporary visa while the sponsorship application is being sponsored.
You can sponsor your spouse or partner even if they are living in Canada, provided you are holding a valid immigration status or have applied for an open work permit to work in Canada while the application is being processed. But as an applicant you should avoid travel outside Canada while your application is being processed.
Spouses or common law partners of Canadian citizens can now stay legally in Canada on an open work permit while they wait for their application for permanent residence to be approved.
Under the Open Work Permit Pilot, spouses and common law partners can work in Canada while they wait for their PR visas to be approved through spousal sponsorship.
Conditions of sponsorship
When a relative arrives in Canada, the sponsor assumes all financial responsibility
In order to be a sponsor, the permanent resident or citizen must:
- Sign a sponsorship agreement with the relative in which he promises to provide him with financial assistance, if necessary.
- Provide financial assistance to a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner for a period of three years from the date of permanent residence of the spouse.
- Provide a dependent child with financial assistance for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
The Canadian government place priority on keeping the families of Canadian citizens and permanent residents together. It encourages them to bring their families to Canada. This is the motive behind the family sponsorship program.