Canada Family Visa

How to Get a Canada Family Visa from Thailand

The Canada Family Visa, also known as the Canadian Dependent Visa, is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their spouse, partner, parents, grandparents, or children to Canada. It acts as a gateway for families to settle down permanently together in the country.

Canada Dependent Visa Requirements

Depending on who you want to join you in Canada, the requirements you will need to meet as a sponsor will vary. However, it is important to note that you cannot qualify as a sponsor if you have previously sponsored someone and did not provide the necessary support.

For Parents and Grandparents

To sponsor a Canadian Dependent Visa for your parents and grandparents, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
• Be the child or grandchild of the person(s) applying
• Meet the income criteria
• Have no criminal record
• Sign a sponsorship agreement acknowledging your promise to provide for the basic needs of your family member(s) for 20 years

If a co-signer is assisting you in meeting the income criteria, they must meet the same eligibility requirement as you, the sponsor, along with a few added requirements. They must:

• Not be the person being sponsored
• Have cohabited with you, the sponsor, in a conjugal relationship for at least 1 year

For Spouses and Partners

To sponsor a Canadian Dependent Visa for your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
• Meet the income criteria
• Have no criminal record
• Be able to prove that you can provide for the basic needs of yourself and your spouse or partner
• Be the spouse or partner of the person applying
• Have not previously sponsored another spouse and 3 years have not passed

Your spouse or partner will also need to meet basic requirements. They must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be in a bigamous relationship
• Not have entered into a new partnership during a 1-year separation from you, the sponsor

For Dependent Children

To sponsor a Canadian Dependent Visa for your children, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be able to prove your relationship with the child you are sponsoring, either by a birth or adoption certificate
• Meet the income criteria
• Have no criminal record

Your dependent child will also need to meet basic requirements. They must:

• Be under 22 years old
• Not be married or in a common-law relationship
• Be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to receive a visa

If the child is over the age requirement, they may be considered dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves.

Canada Dependent Visa Application Process from Thailand

The Canada Family Visa can be applied for from Thailand and there are two main steps to begin the application process:

• The sponsor must submit an application to sponsor their spouse, partner, or dependents
• The spouse, partner, or dependent must apply for permanent residence

Both the sponsorship and permanent resident applications will be processed simultaneously. Once the application process has begun, the next steps will follow:

• The sponsorship form will be reviewed by the Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario if the family member is outside of Canada, or by the CPC in Edmonton, Alberta if they are within Canada.
• Once you’ve been confirmed as an eligible sponsor, the application for permanent residency will be forwarded to the relevant Canadian visa office.

The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok does not accept applications for immigration to Canada, so the application for permanent residence in Canada will be processed by the Regional Processing Centre at the Canadian High Commission in Singapore.

Contact Siam Legal International

If you are looking to sponsor your spouse, partner, or dependent and work towards permanent residency in Canada, retain the services of Siam Legal International. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in aiding both foreign and local clients with their visas to Canada. We will gather and prepare all the necessary documents and submit them on your behalf, maximizing your chances of approval and ensuring a swift and smooth process so you can focus on planning your new life together in Canada.

Should you have any further questions regarding the Canadian Dependent Visa or any other type of Canada visa, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal.

Our services in helping you obtain a Canadian Dependent Visa include:

• A consultation with our Canadian Immigration Specialist
• A full review of your personal, financial, and employment history
• Assistance with collecting all the necessary documents
• Liaise with the Canadian Processing Centre in Singapore
• Assistance with the police report
• Assistance with medical check-ups
• Submission of your visa application to the proper government agencies
• Expert advice on how to handle yourself during the interview (if any)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Family Visa

Can my spouse, partner, or dependent work on a Canada Family Visa?

Yes, your spouse, partner, or dependent may work on a Canadian Family Visa. However, they will need to obtain a work permit to do so.

What are my obligations as a sponsor for a Canada Family Visa?

If you choose to sponsor a family member, you are required to provide for their basic needs in Canada. This is to ensure that your sponsored family member(s) do not become dependent on Canadian welfare or social assistance.

Will I be interviewed when sponsoring my spouse or partner for the Canada Family Visa?

Though uncommon, the IRCC may want to meet with you and your spouse or partner if there is no documentation to support the relationship or if there is conflicting information on the documents submitted.