Family Class Immigration , Canada Immigration

Family class immigrants must be sponsored by a close relative. People who can apply in the Family Class must be related to their sponsor in one of the following ways:

• Wife/husband.
• Dependent son or dependent daughter.*
• Parent and grandparent.
• Orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild under 19 and unmarried.
• Children under 19 you plan to adopt.

The sponsoring relative must be at least 19 years old, must be living in Canada as a permanent resident or citizen, and he or she may be asked if one is financially capable of providing assistance to you and your dependents for a specific period of time, up to ten years.

As a Family Class applicant you will not be assessed by the point system. But you will have to provide to the visa officer that you meet Canada's health and character standards.

* There are three ways sons or daughters can be "dependent" on their parents:

1. Under age 19 and unmarried (must be unmarried when they apply for a visa and still unmarried when the visa is issued);
   
   
2. Full-time students, married or single, studying at a college, university, or other educational institution. They must be studying or training when they apply for their visas, during the processing of their visas and when the visa is issued, and must have been supported financially by their parents from age 19 on or from when they got married. They may interrupt their studies for up to 12 months;
   
   
3. Children who are unable to support themselves financially because of a disability and are financially supported by their parents.
   
   

A child under the age of 19 who is orphaned or is placed with a child welfare authority for adoption is also eligible if the sponsor plans to adopt him/her. Also, if the sponsor has no relative as listed above and no relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, he/she may sponsor one other relative.