At PL Immigration, we know how vital it is to keep families united during the immigration journey. With Canada’s Express Entry system, you can include your family members in your application for permanent residency. This allows you to navigate the immigration process together.
In the Express Entry program, family members refer to your dependents, and they must meet specific requirements to be part of your permanent residence application.
Who Qualifies as a Family Member?
Family members in the context of Express Entry typically include:
- Your spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children
- Dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner
These family members must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Canadian immigration authorities to be included in your application.
Why Include Family Members?
By including your family members in your Express Entry application, you ensure that you all can settle in Canada together. This simplifies the process and helps maintain family unity during this significant life transition.
Including Family Members in Your Express Entry Application
At PL Immigration, we understand the importance of family. You can include specific family members in your Express Entry application for permanent residence in Canada. Here’s who you can bring with you:
Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner: This refers to your legally married partner or someone you have cohabited with in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. Your Dependent Child: A child who is under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Exceptions are made for children over 22 who are financially dependent on you due to a physical or mental condition. Your Spouse’s or Common-Law Partner’s Dependent Child: The same rules apply as for your own dependent child. A Dependent Child of a Dependent Child: This is a child of your dependent child, also known as a grandchild.
Family Members Not Eligible for Your Express Entry Application
When applying through the Express Entry system for immigration to Canada with PL Immigration, certain family members cannot be listed as dependents. These include:
Parents: While you cannot include your parents as dependents in your Express Entry application, you can sponsor them for permanent residence later via the Family Sponsorship Program.
Grandparents: Similar to parents, grandparents are not eligible but can be sponsored separately through the Family Sponsorship Program.
Siblings: Brothers and sisters are not considered dependents under Express Entry and therefore cannot be included in your application.
Uncles and Aunts: Extended family members like uncles and aunts are not eligible to be included as dependents in your Express Entry application.
Nephews and Nieces: Just like uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces are also ineligible to be listed as dependents.
Other Relatives: Any additional extended family members not listed above cannot be included as dependents in your Express Entry application.
Proof of Family Ties for Express Entry Applications
When applying for Express Entry, you need to prove your family relationships with legal documents. These documents serve as verification of your familial connections.
For spousal relationships, a marriage certificate is required. The certificate must confirm that the marriage was legal in the country of occurrence and is valid in Canada.
For common-law partnerships, you’ll need to supply more extensive evidence. This includes a form declaring your common-law status, which is available from IRCC. Additionally, you must show that you and your partner have cohabitated for a minimum of 12 months. Documents like utility bills, housing leases, and joint bank accounts are good examples of this proof. For detailed guidelines, refer to our full guide on verifying your common-law relationship.
If you have dependent children, you must demonstrate they are your dependents. For biological children, submission of a birth or baptismal certificate is required by Canadian immigration officials. For children born through surrogacy or other assisted reproduction methods, additional documentation may be necessary. If you have adopted children, you will need to present legal adoption papers.
Besides proving your relationship with your dependents, you must also demonstrate your capability to support them. During the Express Entry process, evidence of sufficient funds will be necessary. Bank statements showing your financial status are typically used for this purpose. Having a job offer in Canada can also simplify this part of the process.
Boost Your CRS Score with Your Partner
When applying for Express Entry, including your spouse or common-law partner could help increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Your partner can contribute additional points through their education, work experience, and language skills.
In some cases, your spouse or common-law partner might have a stronger profile than you do. If this is the situation, you should consider making them the primary applicant to maximize your chances of success.
Getting Married During the Express Entry Process
Getting married is a joyous occasion, but it can complicate your immigration journey. If you tie the knot while navigating the Express Entry system, it’s crucial to inform Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about this change. Updating IRCC on your marital status is mandatory and affects your family composition assessment and admissibility review. Your spouse’s admissibility will impact your application, whether or not they plan to join you in Canada.
Just like couples married before starting the Express Entry process, you must gather essential documents, including a valid marriage certificate. After updating IRCC about your marriage, they will guide you on the next steps and any additional paperwork needed.
