FAMILY VISAS

Canada warmly opens its doors to the family members of its citizens or permanent residents, offering them the opportunity to reunite in Canada. If you are 18 years of age or older and fall into one of the following categories, you may be eligible to sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada:

– A Canadian citizen,
– A person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act,
– A permanent resident of Canada.

Sponsored relatives have the opportunity to live, study, and work in Canada upon obtaining permanent residency.

There are various family visa options available, depending on the family member you wish to sponsor:

Spouse/De Facto Partner Sponsorship:
You can sponsor your spouse or de facto partner for permanent residency in Canada. As a sponsor, you are required to:
– Provide financial support to them.
– Ensure they do not require social assistance from the government.

Canada recognizes common-law partnerships, meaning you do not need to be legally married to sponsor your partner. This includes common-law and conjugal partners.

When applying for this visa, your spouse/partner may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while awaiting approval. The current processing time for this visa is approximately 12 months.

Child Sponsorship:
You can include your dependent child in your own visa application, or sponsor them separately for permanent residency later if necessary. Eligible children must be under 22 years of age, unmarried, and without children of their own.

Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship:
You can sponsor your parents and grandparents for permanent residency if you meet the financial requirements over the last three years prior to application. These requirements vary based on the number of people you are financially responsible for, including those not being sponsored. The table below offers a reference for the income requirements based on family size. The processing time for this visa category ranges from 20 to 24 months.

Remember, the financial capability to support those you sponsor is a critical aspect of the application process, ensuring that sponsored family members can integrate successfully into Canadian society without needing social assistance.

A UK family visa allows individuals to reside with a family member in the UK for a period exceeding six months. For shorter visits to family, lasting less than six months, one might be eligible as a Standard Visitor, depending on their specific circumstances, which may or may not require a visa.

Family visas are suitable for those intending to live with:

• Their spouse or partner,
• Their fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner,
• Their parent,
• Their child,
• A relative who will provide long-term care.

For those looking to reunite with a parent or partner granted humanitarian protection or refugee status in the UK, a distinct ‘family reunion’ procedure is in place.

Family visas do not apply when the family member in the UK holds a student or work visa. In such cases, applications should be made for dependant rights instead.

Eligibility and Application for a Family Visa as a Spouse or Partner:

To qualify for a family visa as a spouse or partner, both parties must be over 18 and plan to live together in the UK on a permanent basis post-application. The partner or spouse in the UK must be:

• A British or Irish citizen,
• Settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain, Settled Status, or a similar permanent residence right),
• Have pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme,
• Hold a Turkish Worker or Turkish Businessperson visa,
• Have permission to stay as a refugee or person granted humanitarian protection.

Applicants usually need to demonstrate:

• A marriage or civil partnership recognized in the UK,
• A cohabitation history for at least two years,
• Plans to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of entering the UK.

Strong documentary proof of the relationship is required, such as marriage certificates or shared financial responsibilities. Personal communications are generally not considered substantial evidence.

Spouse or partner family visas typically last for two years and nine months, while visas for planned marriages or civil partnerships are valid for six months.

Extending or Switching to a Family Visa:

It’s possible to switch to a family visa from another visa type, like a Skilled Worker Visa, to remain with a family member in the UK. Applications to switch should be made before the current visa expires.

Extensions are available for those already on a family visa, provided there’s time left on the visa at the application point. Only 28 days from the current visa will transfer to the new one.

Family Visa Fees:

Fees differ based on the family member you’re joining and whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK. In the UK, the fee is £1048, with an additional £1048 per dependant. From outside the UK, joining a partner, parent, or child costs £1846, plus £1846 per dependant. Adult dependent care visas may cost up to £3250.

An extra healthcare surcharge is also typically required.

Processing Times:

Applications from outside the UK generally take up to 24 weeks, while those from inside the UK take around 8 weeks. For an additional £800, a super-priority service can expedite the decision to one to two working days.

The complexity of the application significantly influences processing times. Delays may occur if there are issues with proving English proficiency, meeting income requirements, providing sufficient evidence, having a criminal record, needing an interview, or requiring further examination of personal circumstances.