Sponsoring a sibling for Canadian permanent residence (PR) is a topic of interest for many Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has specific guidelines that generally do not allow for the direct sponsorship of siblings, except under rare circumstances. This article explores those exceptions, eligibility requirements for sponsors, and alternative pathways to help siblings immigrate to Canada.
To sponsor loved ones for Canadian PR, you must:
Be at least 18 years old.
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Reside in Canada (Canadian citizens can sponsor without being physically present in Canada, provided they intend to live in Canada when the sponsored individuals arrive).
Agree to provide for the basic needs of the person being sponsored for a specified period.
Have sufficient income to support the relative(s) being sponsored.
Generally, you cannot sponsor your siblings for PR. An exception exists, often referred to as the "lonely Canadian rule," allowing the sponsorship of an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if:
They are related by blood or adoption.
Both their parents have passed away.
They are under 18 years of age and single.
This exception does not apply if one parent is still alive, their whereabouts are unknown, they abandoned the child, someone else is caring for them, or if their parents are incarcerated.
Since direct sponsorship is limited, there are other ways to help your sibling build eligibility for PR through Canada’s economic immigration programs:
The Educational Route: Assisting your sibling in finding a course or program from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) can pave the way for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and subsequent eligibility for economic immigration programs.
LMIA-Based Work Permits: Another option is to help your sibling obtain a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), leading to an LMIA-based work permit. This permit is usually tied to a specific employer and job, but it can help build eligibility for PR.
International Experience Canada (IEC): For siblings from countries with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada, the IEC program offers open work permits (OWP) allowing work for most employers in most industries. This flexibility can help in building eligibility for economic immigration programs and eventually obtaining PR.
These pathways offer viable alternatives to direct sponsorship, enabling siblings to gain Canadian education, work experience, and ultimately, a chance at permanent residency.
Prepared on the information from cicnews.com