Family sponsorship immigration 2024

Family Sponsorship Immigration 2024: A Global Guide

Family sponsorship immigration programs allow citizens and permanent residents to bring their relatives to live with them in their country. These programs are designed to reunite families and provide a pathway for relatives to obtain permanent residency. Here’s an overview of family sponsorship immigration in 2024 for some of the most popular destinations.

1. Canada

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsors: Must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
• Sponsored Relatives: Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and, in some cases, orphaned relatives or other relatives in specific circumstances.

Financial Requirements

• Sponsors must demonstrate the ability to financially support the sponsored relatives and meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirement for the size of their family.

Processing Times

• Vary depending on the relationship and country of the sponsored person. Spousal sponsorship typically takes around 12 months.

Application Process

1. Eligibility Check: Ensure both sponsor and sponsored person meet eligibility criteria.
2. Application Submission: Submit a complete application package including forms, fees, and supporting documents.
3. Processing: Immigration authorities review the application, conduct background checks, and may request additional information.
4. Decision: Approval or refusal of the application. If approved, the sponsored relative can become a permanent resident.

2. United States

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsors: Must be at least 21 years old (for parent sponsorship), a U.S. citizen, or a green card holder.
• Sponsored Relatives: Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents), family preference categories (unmarried adult children, married children, siblings).

Financial Requirements

• Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements and submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to demonstrate the ability to financially support the sponsored relative.

Processing Times

• Immediate relatives: typically 6 months to 1 year.
• Family preference categories: several years, depending on the category and the country of origin.

Application Process

1. File Petition: Submit Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. Approval: If the petition is approved, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.
3. Visa Application: Complete the visa application process, including submitting Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) and attending a consular interview.
4. Adjustment of Status: If the relative is already in the U.S., they may apply to adjust their status to a permanent resident using Form I-485.

3. Australia

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsors: Must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Sponsored Relatives: Partners (spouses, de facto partners), children, parents, and other relatives in specific circumstances.

Financial Requirements

• Sponsors may need to provide an Assurance of Support, ensuring that they can financially support the sponsored relative.

Processing Times

• Vary depending on the visa subclass and the relationship. Partner visas typically take 12-24 months.

Application Process

1. Eligibility Check: Ensure eligibility for both the sponsor and the sponsored relative.
2. Application Submission: Lodge the visa application online through the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Processing: The application is assessed, and additional documentation or interviews may be requested.
4. Decision: Approval or refusal of the visa application. If approved, the sponsored relative can become a permanent resident.

4. United Kingdom

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsors: Must be at least 18 years old and a British citizen, a person settled in the UK, a person with refugee status, or humanitarian protection in the UK.
• Sponsored Relatives: Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, children, parents, and other dependent relatives.

Financial Requirements

• Sponsors must meet minimum income requirements, usually £18,600 annually (higher if sponsoring children) and provide adequate accommodation.

Processing Times

• Typically takes around 3-6 months, but can vary depending on the relationship and country of the sponsored person.

Application Process

1. File Application: Submit the appropriate application form online.
2. Supporting Documents: Provide evidence of relationship, financial stability, and accommodation.
3. Processing: The application is reviewed, and additional information or an interview may be required.
4. Decision: Approval or refusal of the visa application. If approved, the sponsored relative can join the sponsor in the UK and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after a certain period.

5. New Zealand

Eligibility Criteria

• Sponsors: Must be at least 18 years old and a New Zealand citizen or resident.
• Sponsored Relatives: Partners (spouses, de facto partners), dependent children, parents, and other relatives in specific circumstances.

Financial Requirements

• Sponsors must meet certain financial criteria and be able to support the sponsored relative.

Processing Times

• Vary depending on the visa category and relationship. Partner visas typically take 8-12 months.

Application Process

1. Eligibility Check: Ensure both sponsor and sponsored person meet eligibility criteria.
2. Application Submission: Submit the visa application online through Immigration New Zealand.
3. Processing: The application is assessed, and additional documentation or interviews may be requested.
4. Decision: Approval or refusal of the visa application. If approved, the sponsored relative can become a resident.

Conclusion

Family sponsorship immigration programs provide a vital pathway for reuniting families. Each country has specific eligibility criteria, financial requirements, processing times, and application processes. Understanding these details is crucial for a successful application. If you plan to sponsor a family member in 2024, start by familiarizing yourself with the requirements of the target country, prepare the necessary documentation, and consider seeking professional advice to navigate the process smoothly.