Sponsoring a Sibling for Canadian Permanent Residence – ASKMigration: Canadian Lifestyle Magazine

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada allows for different family sponsorships. A Canadian citizen or permanent residence can sponsor a spouse or a child to immigrate into Canada. Sponsored loved one can also settle permanently.

Sponsoring a brother or sister for permanent residence in Canada has much more restrictions. You can sponsor your sibling only if your situation qualifies for an exception to this general rule. The general rule is you can’t sponsor a sibling for permanent residence.

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for the exception, you can pursue other options to help your sibling immigrate to Canada. Here’s what you need to know about sponsoring a sibling for Canadian permanent residence and other possible avenues:

Who can sponsor a loved one for permanent residence in Canada?

The IRCC set out specific requirements that must be met by those who wish to sponsor a Canadian permanent resident. To be eligible to sponsor your loved one, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Minimum Age: You need to be at least 18-years-old
• Citizenship: A Canadian citizen or permanent Canadian resident can sponsor a loved one. You can sponsor someone if you are an Indian, under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Residence: You must reside in Canada to become a sponsor unless you’re a Canadian citizen. As a citizen, you don’t have to be physically present in Canada to sponsor a loved one. When your sponsored family arrives in Canada, you will need to prove that you intend to live there.
• Needs Provision: As a sponsor, you must agree to provide for the basic needs of your sponsored loved one for the entire period they’ll be in Canada.
• Financial Proof: You need to prove that you can support your sponsored loved ones for the duration of their stay.

Under what circumstances can I sponsor my sibling for Canadian PR?

You cannot sponsor a brother or sister for permanent residence in Canada. The IRCC has an exception to this rule. ‘lonely Canadian rule.’This exception allows for you to sponsor an orphaned sibling or brother who meets four main conditions.

1. You are related to me by blood or legal adoption
2. Both their father and mother have passed away
3. You are under 18 years old
4. Are single, meaning that you are not married or in a relationship with a common-law partner or a conjugal relationship

Meeting these four conditions doesn’t automatically qualify your siblings for sponsorship. The IRCC will review many other immigrant criteria before accepting such family sponsorship applications.

This exception is only for siblings who are orphans. You cannot sponsor a sibling if a parent is still alive or if nobody knows where they are. The exception also doesn’t apply if a parent is in jail.