Introduction
Reunion of families with their relatives living in Canada is an important part of their lives. In this comprehensive guide, you have been given detailed information and instructions for Afghans living in Canada to successfully and efficiently reunite their families.
The family reunification process has several categories which are explained below:
One-Year Window of Opportunity Prevision Program (OYW).
If it has not been a year since you came to Canada and you did not bring your close family members with you, so you can bring them to Canada through the OYW program. You must have submitted an application within one year of being in Canada.
OYW applications involve the following three types of individuals:
1-Permanent resident: Permanent resident is a person who has already come to Canada and is currently applying for his family members who are outside of Canada to join them.
2-Principle applicant: This person is an applicant from a family member who does not have permanent residence and lives outside of Cananda and applies for permanent residence through the OYW program. Principal applicants include spouses, common-law partners and their children.
Husband/wife or common-law partner: In order to successfully complete the applications process in this section, IRPA standards must be considered in such relationships, these life partners (permanent resident person and original applicant) are married to each other or have lived with each other for at least one year before the divorce.
Moreover, the relationship between them at the time of application should also be a bona fide relationship and it should be maintained between them until the decision regarding this application is made.
Children: This includes the children of permanent residents and must be under 22 years of age and not married or have a common law partner. Or include children who are 22 years old or older but are not capable to work or support themselves financially due to physical or mental disabilities.
3-Dependent of the principal applicant: Dependent of the principal applicant is a person who is a relative of the principal applicant according to the definition of IRCC. They include the following relatives:
Applicants for OYW are not considered refugees and are granted permanent resident visas based on their relationship with permanent residents in Canada.
It is worth mentioning that the OYW program is applicable to all provinces except the province of Quebec, and with this program you do not need to financially sponsor your first-degree family and important members.
Family class
A permanent resident in this category can invite and sponsor family members to Canada. In this case, you should sponsor the family members until a certain date so that they are not forced to receive social assistance. In this program, husband and wife or life partner and related child have the highest priority. This program also includes the children (whose guardianship is by someone other than the original parents) and orphans, which are mentioned below. For detailed information about Family Class and to find the related forums for this process, you can refer to this link:
Family class: The application process – Canada.ca
Bringing grandparents:
Canadian Super Visa (Super Visa) is a special visa that allows your parents, grandparents or grandparents to join you. With this visa, you can enter Canada multiple times for up to ten years, and you can stay for up to five years with a single entry. If you want your parents, grandparents to stay with you for six months or less, then a visitor visa is the best option. For the Super Visa, certain criteria must be met by your parents, grandparents.
These criteria are as follows:
- A permanent resident living in Canada is your child or grandchild
- You have singed the application form sent by your child or grandchild
- Have proof of a Canadian private health insurance company.
In addition to this, you must also meet the following criteria:
- You must apply for a super vis outside of Canada
- Have a visa printed outside of Cananda
- Must not have legal barriers to entry into Canada
- Must pass a health test before entry
- Meet some other specific criteria.
You can use this link to apply for this visa
Super visa (for parents and grandparents): How to apply – Canada.ca
In special circumstances, some other relatives such as sisters and brothers, nephews, nieces and grandchildren can also be sponsored. You can sponsor such persons in the following situations and conditions:
- You must be related by blood or consanguinity to the above relatives.
- Both their parents should be deceased.
- His age should be below 18 years.
- Must be single.
The above persons (siblings, nieces and nephews) cannot be sponsored in the following situations:
- If one of the parents is still alive.
- Parents are missing and there is no proof of their death.
- Parents have left.
- If someone else has taken care of him and both or one of his parents are alive.
- Parents are imprisoned or detained.
Each category has its own terms and conditions that can affect the success of the sponsorship. By understanding these conditions and nuances, the success of the application is guaranteed and family reunification can be realized with it. Sponsors are advised to seek expert advice on the complexities of these categories, making informed decisions and submitting applications.
First stage: Necessary conditions: Before starting the process of reunification of families and relatives, it is necessary that the sponsors and sponsoring families and relatives meet the conditions. As a sponsor you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
- Must reside in Canada.
- You must be financially stable at a level that you can support the requested family members.
The above conditions are evaluated in the application process from your side. Income tax, employment letters or bank statements can be proof of financial stability. Fulfilling these conditions can guarantee the success of your application.
Also, invited and sponsored family members must pass certain tests which include medical, criminal and security checks. In the event that any member of your family commits a criminal offense, violates human rights, or poses a security threat, you may be rejected by the Canadian government. The purpose of these inspections and evaluations is to protect the safety and security of Canadians and to maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
Note: In order to be sure and understand all the standards in terms of the necessary conditions, take advice and guidance from the relevant specialist. Also, you can get useful advice and recommendations from the relevant expert regarding other challenges during migration.
Second Stage: Sponsorship Application: This application includes two processes:
- 1An application for sponsorship is one in which the fulfillment of the conditions of the sponsor is confirmed.
- 2Permanent residence application must be completed by the sponsoring person. Both forms must be completed accurately and all necessary documents must be attached. Afghan refugees who have documents other than English or French must be translated, certified and a copy must be attached to the original. This indicates that the evaluation managers evaluate the information provided accurately.
In order to have a successful sponsorship process, an accurate and detailed application that clearly states your relationship with the sponsors and your financial capacity on the other hand is essential.
Note: Honesty and organization are important points in this kind of application process. Submitting false information or false documents may result in your application being rejected and legal consequences. Real and correct information should be provided and create a checklist and tracking system for the necessary documents.
Third stage: application process:
After the submission of application for immigration, the authority of Immigration, IRCC reviews the documents. The time varies for this process because of the sponsorship and the number of the people whose sponsorship is being processed. This process takes the time around some months or even a year.
It is important for the applicants to wait and have patience. During this process IRCC may ask you for more documents or call you for interview to make sure to approve your application. You need to reply as soon as possible and provide the documents you are asked for to prevent the un-needed delay in this process. You are advised to have the copies of all of your documents and be in regular contact with IRCC authority.
Note: During the waiting period, the applicants are advised to check the portal of IRCC from time to time and make a contact the through the (Helpline) of this authority. Therefore, making yourselves aware of the migration policies’ changes make you more ready for the upcoming periods of migration.
Fourth Stage: approval and getting ready for immigration:
Once the application of sponsorship is approved, the sponsored family members are submitted to immigration process. In this process, medical examinations, necessary travel documents and other conditions imposed by the IRCC administration are fulfilled.
Medical examinations are mandatory for those who want to migrate to Canada. The aim of these examinations is to make sure about the health of migrants and they do not create any health threat the public health. IRCC authority has the list of the doctors that have the responsibility of health examinations. It is recommended to conduct these tests at its time and avoid unnecessary delays.
Once these medical tests are conducted and made all the necessary trip documents, the members of sponsored family must get ready for their trip to Canada. It is necessary to have all IRCC recommendations in mind to avoid any obstacle during entering to Canada.
Note: Cooperate with the members of sponsored family in managing its flight reservations and their temporary accommodation in that country, give them information about the local communities, facilities and support providing networks. Therefore, they (migrants) will be familiar with the new environment very well.
Fifth stage: Settlement and Integration: Once the sponsored families reach Canada, the process of settlement and integration starts. This process is important for the safe settlement and integration of the sponsored families in Canadian society.
In this period, the sponsoring family provides important cooperation to the sponsored family and helps it in finding accommodation in its new Canadian environment for integration. The resources of this society and the supporting services of sponsored families play vital role in successful integration.
We must remember that the situation of every family varies from other families, the applied methods of one family may not work for another family. So, special planning and preparation for families that meet their needs is beneficial. These planning may include learning language, employment searching methods or focusing on mental health are in these things.
As the time passes, the sponsored families will not only be integrated in Canadian society but they will further help in forming this multicultural society. The families with diverse experiences and perspectives can further enrich this society and inspire others. Although their resettlement journey is full of challenges, they are also full of excitement and enthusiasms.
With all the challenges that a family can face in integration process, they have long term benefits too. This process plays a fundamental role for a successful settlement in life in Canada. It provides the families opportunities to grow and develop and contribute positively to social participation. Therefore, it is important to approach this process with patience, persistence and strong support.
Conclusion:
Carefully planning, awareness about the laws and regulations and patience during the integration process are important points. Although this process is somehow challenging, but when you are reuniting with your family members in the environment of a new country, then all these challenges are worth enduring.
Don’t feel alone in this trip, there are various resources and administration that can provide you full support. Take advantage of the experiences of others and remain steadfast in the goal of family’s reunification. With determination and the right support, you can successfully navigate the complexities of the Canadian immigration system and be reunited with your family.
Sources:
Government of Canada. (2021). Family sponsorship. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2021). Guide 5525 – Basic Guide: Sponsor your spouse, partner or child. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5525-basic-guide-sponsor-your-spouse-partner-child.html
Dependent children – Canada.ca www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/permanent-residence/non-economic-classes/dependent-children.html
Afghan Association of Ontario. (2023). Family Reunification Programs. Retrieved from http://www.afghanassociationofontario.com/family-reunification-programs
Refugee Sponsorship Training Program. (2022). Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Retrieved from http://www.rstp.ca/en/sponsorship-process/private-sponsorship-of-refugees-program/
Canadian Council for Refugees. (2022). Family Reunification. Retrieved from https://ccrweb.ca/en/family-reunification
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. (2023). Overview of the Immigration Appeal Process. Retrieved from https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/appeals/Pages/ImmAppAppeal.aspx
Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2021). Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27). Retrieved from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-2.5/
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. (2023). Settlement Services. Retrieved from https://settlement.org/
Canadian Immigrant. (2023). Integration Services. Retrieved from https://canadianimmigrant.ca/settlement
University of Ottawa Refugee Assistance Project. (2023). Family Reunification for Refugees in Canada: Understanding the Process. Retrieved from https://refugee.uottawa.ca/family-reunification-process
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