How to Sponsor Orphaned Relatives to Canada

When tragedy strikes and children are left without parents, families are often unsure what to do next. In recent years, interest surrounding the sponsorship of orphaned relatives has increased. If you have an orphaned relative you are looking to take in, continue reading to learn more about the sponsorship process.

Orphaned Relative Eligibility

You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if they meet the following requirements:

• They are related to you biologically or by adoption
• They are under the age of 18
• Both their mother and father passed away
• They are single (not married, or in a common-law or conjugal relationship)

You cannot sponsor your brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if:

• One of their parents is still alive
• Their parents abandoned them
• Their parents' whereabouts are unknown
• Their parents are incarcerated or otherwise detained
• Someone other than their parents is taking care of them while one or more of their parents are alive

Sponsorship Eligibility

You are eligible to sponsor an orphaned relative if you:

• Are 18 or older
• Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Registered Indian
• Reside in Canada
• Are sponsoring a member of the family class
• Sign an undertaking pledging to provide financial support and fulfill the sponsored relative's basic needs
• Meet the necessary income requirement determined annually

You are not eligible to sponsor an orphaned relative if you:

• Failed to provide financial support to a previously sponsored relative
• Defaulted on an undertaking, support payment, performance bond or immigration loan
• Are receiving social assistance from the government for reasons other than a disability
• Was convicted of a violent or sexual offence, committed a crime against a relative that resulted in bodily harm or attempted/threatened to carry out any such offences
• Are under a removal order
• Are detained in a jail, penitentiary, or prison
• Declared bankruptcy and have not yet been discharged

The sponsorship process could be quite complex, requiring a large amount of paper work and a thorough understanding of requirements. Given the urgency of sponsorship and the relatively long processing time of sponsorship applications, it is important to avoid mistakes that may cause delays or lead to refusal of your application. It is highly recommended that you use the services of an experienced immigration consultant.