HOW TO IMMIGRATE TO CANADA
AS A FAMILY CLASS MEMBER

If you wish to come to Canada under the Family Class, you must:
be sponsored by a close relative. This relative must be at least 19 years old and must be living in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen.

As a Family Class applicant you will not be assessed by the point system. But you will have to prove to the visa officer that you meet Canada's health and character standards. To be sponsored, your relative first submits a sponsorship to a Canada Immigration Centre (CIC) nearest his/her residence in Canada. Your relative will be asked to establish that he/she is at least 19, is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and, if necessary, is financially capable of providing assistance to you and your dependents for a specified period of time, up to ten years. If the sponsorship application is approved, the Canadian visa office in your country will be advised. This office will contact you with instructions on what you must do to apply for an immigration visa.

PEOPLE WHO CAN APPLY IN THE FAMILY CLASS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• wife/husband;
• fiance(e);
• parents, grandparents;
• brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, who are orphans, unmarried and under 19;
• children under 19 you plan to adopt;
• any other relative, if you do not have any of the above or any family in Canada;
• dependent son or dependent daughter;

There are three ways sons or daughters can be "dependent" on their parents.
1.Under age 19 and unmarried.
They must be unmarried when they apply for a visa, and still unmarried when the visa is issued.
2.Full-time students*.
They must be studying at a college, university, or other educational institution since the age of 19; and must be studying or training when they apply for their visa and when the visa is issued; and must have been supported mainly by their parents from age 19 on.
*Students may interrupt their studies for up to 12 months.
3.Children with a disability.
They must be supported mainly by their parents; and be unable to support themselves because of the disability.
Dependents must meet the same visa requirements as the principal applicant.

If you want to apply under this category and find your chances of success before you send your application please click here.