Boom in family class immigrants admitted to Canada in 2021

The number of Family Class immigrants admitted to Canada witnessed a boom in 2021 compared to the previous year. A total of 62245 new immigrants came to Canada in the first 10 months 2021 through family sponsorship programs. This is 26.2 per cent more compared to the total number of Family Class immigrants in 2020, which was 49305. It is estimated that the total number of family class immigrants admitted to Canada in 2021 can be 74694, and that would make 2021’s total number 51.5 per cent more compared to the previous year.

In the first year of the pandemic, Canada immigration slowed down drastically, with 156590 fewer immigrants coming to Canada compared to 2019. The total number of immigrants admitted to Canada in 2020 was only 184585, while the number was 341175 in 2019. It means a fall of 45.9 per cent. However, Canada compensated this drastic slowdown in immigration in 2021 by admitting a record number of 401000 new immigrants in 2021. This is the highest number of immigrants admitted to the country in any single year.

The five years between 2014 and 2019 has witnessed a 39.4 per cent growth in the number of immigrants admitted to Canada. While the total number of newcomers to the country in 2015 was 65485, it grew to 91300 in 2019. Compared to 2015, the number of family class immigrants was almost 14.1 per cent higher in 2021.

Family sponsorship in Canada immigration

Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident above the age of 18 years may sponsor their family members for permanent residence in the country, under the family class immigration programs. Once the sponsored person obtains permanent residence, they can live, work and study in Canada. However, the sponsor needs to assume all financial responsibilities of the sponsored person, once they arrive in Canada.

A Canadian permanent resident or citizen can sponsor their family members only if they meet the following criteria:

• They need to sign a sponsorship agreement with the person to be sponsored, committing to provide them financial support, if necessary.
• Provide financial support for the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partners for three years from the day they become permanent residents.
• Provide financial support for 10 years if the sponsored person is a child or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
• Sign a contract with Canada’s immigration authorities to repay any social assistance payments made to the sponsored person. This obligation remain in effect for the entire period of the contract, even in a change of circumstances such as marital breakdown, separation, divorce or a financial change in circumstances.

Relatives who can be sponsored under Family Class Immigration programs

• Spouse
• Common-law partner
• Conjugal partner
• Dependent children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, below the age of 18 years and not married or in a common-law relationship.

Do you wish to migrate to Canada with family? Connect with CanApprove to find your best options.