Parental sponsorship immigration policy + changes in 2016

Applications will be accepted on January 4, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. 5000 slots

But based on 2015, it is then predictable that the 2016 slots will also be full in a very short time period.

The requirements for parent sponsor immigration applications are as follows.

- The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or immigrant

- Must be 18 years of age or older

- Must exceed the minimum income requirement (LICO+30%) and must have a document from Canada Revenue Agency proving that income exceeded this minimum for the past 3 years

- Must also guarantee to financially support the sponsored person for 20 years after the sponsored person has registered

The sponsor and the sponsored person must sign a sponsor agreement committing the sponsor to provide financial support.

If sponsor is a resident of Quebec, a commitment agreement with the Quebec government is required.

2016 Federal Income Requirements Table

Family size     2014 minimum income    2013 minimum income    2012 minimum income

2                     38272                                       37708                                      36637

3                     47051                                       46354                                      45040

4                     57125                                       56280                                      54685

5                     64791                                       63833                                      62023

6                     73072                                       71991                                      69950

7                     81355                                       80153                                      77897

If more than 7 people, add $8,271, $8,148, $7,929 for each additional person

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Does the income from the past 3 years have to be from the 3 years after PR?

A: There is no such requirement. Your income before PR can be counted as long as it meets the standard.

2. Married with no children, how many people are counted?

A: Both husband and wife, plus parents (if there are two of them), a total of 4 members

3. My income has only been eligible since 2013, can I use my 2013, 2014 and 2015 tax returns to apply? Usually the earliest tax return is at the end of February, is that when the slot is gone?

A: The sponsor must provide proof of income for the past three years. If the sponsor wants to submit the sponsorship application in January 2016, then the original IRS tax return (NOA) or tax assessment (Option-C) for 2012, 13 and 14 is required. Because the 2015 tax return will not be received until approximately mid-2016, it cannot be provided in January 2016, so the 2015 income cannot be counted, but the sponsor still has to provide proof of income and employer for all of 2015.

4. I only apply for my old mother alone, my father passed away. Do I need to prepare a marriage certificate as well as a deceased certificate?

A: Yes, you need a death certificate, but not a deceased certificate.

5. I would like to know if I can use the certificate of kinship and ID card that I got a few years ago to sponsor my parents for immigration now. I don't think these documents should be expired. I don't have a birth certificate in China at that time, but I think the ID card can be used for the same purpose.

A: It can be the birth certificate and the family register. I don't think it can be the same as the ID card.

6. Can I make up for the previous tax, and if I do, will it be the current tax or that year's tax?

A: Yes, you can make up the tax, if you make up the tax, it will be counted as that year's tax.

7. If the family members (e.g. married or had children) changed after the NOA was submitted (e.g. submitted income for 14, 15, 16 years, then married in 17 years, but the other party has no income in Canada, e.g. working in the US, no proof of income in Canada). Is it possible to successfully apply for parental immigration even in such a case?

A: a. Canadian citizens working overseas are also required to file tax returns. b. If additional family members are added, the family income must also meet the corresponding requirements, and if they meet the requirements, they can also sponsor reunification immigration

8. What date is the number of family members counted?

A: According to the date of application

9. Do overseas spouses count as family size?

A: It is counted in family size, if your spouse is American, it is also counted in family size.

10. If my parents are divorced, how can I apply for a marriage certificate for parental reunification immigration?

A: After the divorce, you can use the divorce certificate, family register and other documents.  

11. How long is the sponsorship period for parental reunification immigration?

A: The current requirement is a 20-year sponsorship period.

12. Can I sponsor my parents and my wife's parents to immigrate here together?

A: Under the premise of income compliance, you can sponsor 4 parents to immigrate together

13. I have a full time job for 5 days and a part time job, do I need to fill in the part time one?

A: It depends on 2 aspects, a. whether the part time job is shown in your NOA; 2. whether the full time income has reached the sponsorship requirement.

14. Do I need to have my ID card notarized?

A: Notarization is not required when you submit your application.

15. Which government benefits need to be subtracted from the total income?

A: Unemployment EI, social assistance, milk money, etc. are not considered your income and need to be subtracted.

16. Is the child to be born soon counted in the family number? Do I need to notify CIC after the birth of a child?

A: The unborn child does not need to be counted in the current number, after the birth of a child, it is recommended to update CIC in time.

17. Do I need to sign in English or Chinese for the parents' signature?

A: Chinese signature is fine, what is the usual custom, what is the signature

18. 2 years ago, I sponsored my wife to immigrate to Canada, but now I can still sponsor my parents to immigrate together? Is it true that you cannot sponsor other people for 5 years?

A: You cannot sponsor other people within 5 years, only spouses; parents/children are not included in this restriction; so you can sponsor your parents for reunification immigration if you meet the NOA and other conditions.

19. How to submit the application, can I go to the queue by myself?

A: No, by mail or by courier only

20. How much is the application fee for both parents to submit the application?

A: 475+75+550=1100 CAD, and 490X2=980 CAD before the final PR is issued.

21. Can I still use the notarized family register that was done 2 years ago?

A: If there is no change in the family members, you can continue to use the notarized family register.