Immigration
Are you a Ghanaian citizen looking to bring your family to Canada? Whether you are a permanent resident, Canadian citizen, student, or worker, there are multiple pathways to reunite with your loved ones.
However, the Canadian immigration system is complex, and many families face delays or rejections due to incomplete applications, lack of proper financial proof, or choosing the wrong visa category.
So, what’s the best way to bring your family to Canada quickly and successfully?
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
✅ Best Visa Options for Bringing Your Family to Canada
✅ Step-by-Step Application Process
✅ Common Myths vs. Facts About Family Sponsorship
✅ Pros & Cons of Different Visa Options
✅ Mistakes That Lead to Rejections (and How to Avoid Them)
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which visa to apply for, how to prepare the right documents, and how to increase your chances of approval.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
There are multiple ways for Ghanaians to bring their family members to Canada, depending on who they want to bring and for how long.
Family Sponsorship Program (For Permanent Stay)
📌 Best for: Bringing spouse, children, parents, or grandparents as permanent residents
✔ If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor certain family members for Permanent Residency (PR).
✔ Sponsored family members will receive full rights as Canadian residents, including healthcare, education, and employment benefits.
✔ This is the fastest and most secure way to bring your family to Canada permanently.
Visitor Visa (For Temporary Stay)
📌 Best for: Bringing family members for short visits (up to 6 months)
✔ If you just want your family to visit Canada for a short time, they can apply for a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV).
✔ This visa is ideal for tourism, family events, or temporary stays.
✔ Family members must prove strong ties to Ghana to show they will return after their visit.
Super Visa (For Parents & Grandparents – Long-Term Visits)
📌 Best for: Bringing parents & grandparents for extended stays
✔ The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit.
✔ Unlike a regular visitor visa, it does not need renewal every 6 months.
✔ Requires proof of financial support from the host in Canada and a medical insurance policy.
Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) (For Spouses of Workers/Students)
📌 Best for: Bringing spouses of international students or skilled workers
✔ If you are working or studying in Canada, your spouse can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit.
✔ They can work for any employer without needing a job offer.
✔ This is a great way to keep families together while allowing the spouse to earn an income.
Study Permit for Dependent Children
📌 Best for: Bringing children to study in Canada
✔ If you are a worker or student in Canada, your children can apply for a Study Permit to attend school.
✔ Education is free for children under 18 in public schools.
❌ Myth #1: If I am a Permanent Resident, I Can Sponsor Any Family Member.
✅ Fact: You can only sponsor spouses, dependent children, parents, and grandparents. Siblings, aunts, and uncles cannot be sponsored under the Family Sponsorship Program.
❌ Myth #2: My Family Will Automatically Get PR If They Visit Canada.
✅ Fact: Visiting Canada on a Visitor Visa does not automatically lead to Permanent Residency. They must apply through the proper immigration channels.
❌ Myth #3: A Job Offer Is Required for Family Sponsorship.
✅ Fact: No job offer is needed for Family Sponsorship or the Super Visa. However, sponsors must show sufficient income to support their family members.
❌ Myth #4: Canada Rejects Most Visa Applications from Ghana.
✅ Fact: Many applications get rejected due to incomplete documents, financial proof issues, or weak travel history. Well-prepared applications have a high success rate.
Also Read : Mistakes That Lead to Canada Visitor Visa Rejection
|
Visa Type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Family Sponsorship (PR) |
Permanent residency, full benefits |
Long processing time (12-18 months) |
|
Visitor Visa |
Faster processing (30-90 days) |
Temporary stay, must prove strong ties to Ghana |
|
Super Visa |
Long-term stay (up to 5 years per visit) |
Requires medical insurance & financial proof |
|
Spousal Open Work Permit |
Allows spouse to work & earn money |
Only available if sponsor is working or studying |
|
Study Permit for Kids |
Free public education, easier path to PR |
Dependent on parent’s immigration status |
📌 Tip: If you want permanent solutions, go for Family Sponsorship or PNP Programs. If you want temporary visits, choose a Visitor Visa or Super Visa.
❌ Mistake #1: Incomplete or Incorrect Forms
✅ Solution: Double-check all forms before submitting. Hire an expert if needed.
❌ Mistake #2: Weak Financial Proof
✅ Solution: Show bank statements, tax documents, and proof of steady income to prove financial stability.
❌ Mistake #3: Failing to Prove Strong Ties to Ghana
✅ Solution: Submit evidence like employment letters, property documents, or family commitments in Ghana.
❌ Mistake #4: Applying Under the Wrong Visa Category
✅ Solution: Choose the right visa based on your family’s needs (temporary visit vs. permanent move).
❌ Mistake #5: Not Seeking Expert Help
✅ Solution: Work with a trusted immigration consultant like SayHomeCanada Immigration to ensure a smooth application.
Bringing your family to Canada from Ghana is possible and achievable, but you need to choose the right visa, prepare the right documents, and submit a strong application.
At SayHomeCanada Immigration, we help Ghanaians:
✔ Choose the best visa for their family
✔ Avoid rejections by preparing complete applications
✔ Get faster approvals with expert guidance
📞 Contact SayHomeCanada Immigration today and reunite with your family in Canada!
📌 Answer: No, the Family Sponsorship Program does not allow you to sponsor siblings as permanent residents unless they meet very specific conditions. However, your brother or sister may be eligible for other immigration pathways, such as:
✔ Study Permit: If your sibling is a student, they can apply for a Study Permit to study in Canada, which can eventually lead to Permanent Residency (PR).
✔ Express Entry: If they have work experience, education, and language skills, they may apply through the Express Entry system (Federal Skilled Worker Program or Provincial Nominee Program).
✔ Work Permit: If they secure a job offer from a Canadian employer, they may apply for a Work Permit and later transition to PR.
📌 Exception: If your brother or sister is orphaned, under 18, and has no other family members, you may be able to sponsor them under exceptional circumstances.
📌 Answer: The financial requirement depends on who you are sponsoring:
✔ Spousal and Dependent Child Sponsorship: No minimum income is required, but you must prove that you can financially support them without government assistance.
✔ Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship: You must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) to prove you can financially support your parents.
📌 Minimum Income Requirements for Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship (2024):
|
Number of People in Family |
Minimum Income Requirement (CAD) |
|
2 people (sponsor + 1 parent) |
$43,082 |
|
3 people |
$53,340 |
|
4 people |
$64,101 |
|
5 people |
$72,637 |
|
6 people |
$81,374 |
|
7 people |
$90,120 |
✔ You must show income proof for the last 3 years using tax documents.
📌 Alternative Option: If you don’t meet the income requirement, your parents can still apply for a Super Visa, which allows them to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit.
📌 Answer: Yes! If you are in Canada on a Work Permit or Study Permit, your spouse and children can join you through these options:
✔ Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP): Your spouse can apply for an Open Work Permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.
✔ Study Permit for Children: Your children can attend school in Canada, and public schools are free for children under 18.
📌 Key Requirement:
✔ You must prove that you have enough funds to support your family in Canada.
📌 Tip: Applying for your spouse and children’s visas at the same time as your own increases approval chances.
📌 Answer: Both visas allow parents and grandparents to come to Canada, but they serve different purposes:
|
Feature |
Super Visa |
Parent Sponsorship |
|
Purpose |
Long-term visit |
Permanent Residency (PR) |
|
Stay Duration |
Up to 5 years per visit, valid for 10 years |
Parents receive PR & Canadian benefits |
|
Processing Time |
3-6 months |
2-3 years |
|
Financial Requirement |
Minimum income proof & medical insurance |
LICO (Low-Income Cut-Off) required |
|
Work Rights |
❌ Not allowed to work |
✅ Allowed to work |
📌 Tip: If you want your parents to stay permanently, apply for Parent Sponsorship. If you don’t qualify for sponsorship, the Super Visa is the best alternative.
📌 Answer: A Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) does not automatically lead to PR, but your family members may be eligible to apply for PR through other programs while in Canada.
✔ Spouses Can Apply for Inland Sponsorship: If your spouse visits you on a Visitor Visa, they can apply for Spousal Sponsorship (Inland) and receive an Open Work Permit while waiting for PR approval.
✔ Study or Work Pathway: If your family members secure a study or work permit, they may later apply for PR through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
✔ Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) Grounds: In rare cases, individuals on a Visitor Visa may apply for PR under H&C considerations, but approvals are very limited.
📌 Tip: If your goal is permanent residency for your family, it’s best to apply for the Family Sponsorship Program instead of a Visitor Visa.
