The family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Quebec can reunite with their families. 

Quebec has a notable status in Canada. This implies that the province has specific requirements and undertakes certain steps that one must fulfill to be capable of sponsoring a family.

 

Sponsoring The Spouse 

Canadian citizens and permanent citizens living in Quebec, irrespective of being married or having a partner law relationship with a foreign national, might sponsor their spouses to join them in Canada. 

To sponsor your spouse, you must: 

  • Be at least 18 years
  • Be a permanent inhabitant of Canada
  • Not be in prison, bankrupt, or charged with a serious offense 
  • Not have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse within five years of the time frame

 

The sponsor and the sponsored person should also offer evidence regarding their relationship. It must be one of the three following categories: 

 

  • Conjugal partner 

A sponsored person might be a conjugal partner if some circumstances beyond their control have prevented the partners from qualifying as spouses or common-law partners. 

 

  • Spouse 

The sponsor & the sponsored person are married legally. 

 

  • Common law partner 

The sponsored person and sponsor must cohabit for at least one year. 

The province has its own criteria for spousal sponsorship and precise undertaking application for living in Quebec. When the time comes, the sponsor will apply to IRCC and the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, & Integration. 

 

The MIFI considers the following: 

  • Financial Criteria for sponsoring people living in Quebec 
  • Social assistance of the sponsor 
  • Previous Quebec undertakings or support payments of the sponsor
  • The commitment duration 
  • Undischarged bankruptcy 

 

Once the sponsorship application is approved, the sponsor will receive a CSQ, i.e., Quebec Selection Certificate. This certificate declares that an applicant is selected to settle in Quebec. Now they can apply to IRCC for a PR. 

 

Living In Quebec: Sponsoring Dependent Child 

Canadian citizens can bring their children to Canada from abroad to become permanent inhabitants. 

To sponsor your child, you must: 

  • Be 18 years old 
  • Be a Canadian citizen intending to return to Canada 
  • Be an individual registered under the Indian Act of Canada 
  • Provide for your fundamental needs & those of your children 
  • Prove your relationship with the child 
  • Not have a criminal record, bankrupt or be in prison 
  • Not be a previous sponsorship undertaking defaulter 
  • Not be under immigration investigation 
  • Not receive income assistance, except for disability 

 

In addition, the dependent child must be the biological or adopted child of a permanent inhabitant. Moreover, the child must be under 22 years of age and must not be married or be in a common-law relationship.   

As a sponsor living in Quebec, you must sign an undertaking implying that you will provide for your child’s basic needs. This includes housing, clothing, food, medicine, and other expenses. 

In addition, another undertaking must be signed with the province. The duration of the undertaking varies in Quebec than in other Canadian provinces. Once again, if a sponsor is living in Quebec, they need to apply for CSQ. In addition, they will also need to apply to IRCC and MIFI. 

Sponsoring Parents/ Grandparents 

Canadian citizens can sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada and become permanent inhabitants. In addition, they might even be able to apply for Canadian citizenship. 

 

To sponsor parents/ grandparents, one must: 

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent inhabitant or be registered under the Canadian Indian Act
  • Be 18 years old or more 
  • Be a Canadian resident 
  • Exceed the minimum necessary income level and provide income proof to IRCC
  • Sign an undertaking to support a sponsor for 20 years financially 
  • Repay the social assistance benefits for 20 years

 

Moreover, an additional undertaking must be signed with Quebec as well. If the sponsor is living in Quebec, they need to apply for CSQ. Once obtained, it can be submitted to IRCC. 

It is vital to note that the parents and grandparents program is closed. The final PGP lottery took place in October 2022. However, IRCC has released no information on whether the PGP will reopen or not. 

Another option for people wishing to sponsor their parents and grandparents is through Super Visa. This Visa enables parents & grandparents of Canadian citizens & permanent inhabitants to live in Canada as visitors for up to 5 years without renewing their status. 

It is a multi-entry visitor visa valid for up to 10 years. Interestingly, the Super Visa is available for an entire year for family sponsorship. In addition, there isn’t any lottery to obtain this Visa, thus offering certainty to the families. The super Visa gives parents and grandparents extended time in Canada and does not require renewal upon re-entry unless the validity period has passed.