Family reunification is one of the pillars of Canada’s immigration system. Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor eligible relatives to live and work in Canada.
This process can be challenging, but it is possible if you meet the qualifications. Moreover, working with Ronen Kurzfeld Toronto Immigration Lawyer can help make the process as seamless as possible.
The Application Process
Family Sponsorship Immigration is one of the most common ways to bring family members to Canada. However, the process can be complicated.
Despite this, you can still find an efficient and cost-effective way to help a family member obtain Canadian permanent residence. Using the right immigration lawyer is key to success in this type of immigration.
The first step is to understand the application process. It can be a daunting task for many people.
A good immigration attorney can help you understand how the process works and ensure that all your documents are correct. They can also help you navigate the backlogs of government agencies and ensure that you get your family member’s green card as quickly as possible.
Typically, there are two types of visas for Family-Based Immigration: Immediate Relative (IR) and Family Preference (FPR). There are no caps on IR, which means that you can get your family member’s green card instantly.
The Income Threshold
The income threshold is the minimum amount of money you must have to meet your financial responsibility to your immigrant family member. This minimum amount varies depending on your household size, civilian or military status and where you live in the United States.
Usually, you should use your current annual household income to support your claim of being able to meet the financial requirement. This should be supported by an employer’s letter, pay stubs and tax returns from the prior three years.
You should also be able to show enough assets to demonstrate that you have a stable source of income. Assets can include savings accounts, certificates of deposit, mutual fund investments, and individual stocks and bonds.
The income threshold is one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome in Family Sponsorship Immigration. However, Boundless can help you overcome this issue and ensure that your family members receive the visa they need to become U.S. citizens or green card holders.
The Relatives You Can Sponsor
There are a number of relatives you can sponsor through family sponsorship immigration. They include spouses, minor and unmarried children under 21 years old, and parents.
The relatives you can sponsor depend on your status as a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. There are two categories of relatives you can sponsor: Immediate Relatives or Family Preference Relatives.
Immediate relatives enjoy the fastest processing times. However, there are limited amounts of visas available in this category each year. The waiting time for these green cards ranges from about two years to nearly 20 years.
The Time Frame
Family Sponsorship Immigration is one of the most complex visa applications in the United States, with each step taking time and a lot of coordination. That's why it's important to work with a skilled immigration consultant who can ensure your application goes smoothly and your family member is given the green light as quickly as possible.
The length of the wait for a green card depends on several factors, including annual limits on how many immigrant visas are issued each year and the high demand for these visas in the countries that make up most of the preference-category petitions. Ultimately, it's up to the individual preference-category applicant to decide how long they're willing to wait.
The average I-130 processing time for immediate relatives (spouses, minor children and parents) is 10.2 months. However, the wait can be much longer if you're applying from a country with high demand for U.S. green cards, such as India, Mexico, China or the Philippines.
Comments