Can Canadian be legal guardian for 12 year old niece in Vietnam

[td2306]

Hello,

I'm a Canadian having a half-orphan niece whose mother (my sister) died a few months ago. Can I be my niece (12 years old) legal guardian even if she currently live in vietnam. Also, can I sponsor her to Canada if her dad cannot support/take care of her and agree for me to be her legal guadian?

Thanks,

 

[sashali78]

Hello,

I'm a Canadian having a half-orphan niece whose mother (my sister) died a few months ago. Can I be my niece (12 years old) legal guardian even if she currently live in vietnam. Also, can I sponsor her to Canada if her dad cannot support/take care of her and agree for me to be her legal guadian?

Thanks,

I believe you will have to adopt here first as she is not a full orphan. You may be eligible to sponsor her without adoption if you have no family in Canada. you can see all the options in here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/relatives-apply-who.asp

 

[screech339]

I believe you will have to adopt here first as she is not a full orphan. You may be eligible to sponsor her without adoption if you have no family in Canada. you can see all the options in here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/relatives-apply-who.asp

Even if OP was able to adopt the niece, CIC may still view the OP's action as "adoption of convenient" for immigration purposes as long as her father is alive. CIC may grant the niece PR status despite OP's being a legal guardian in her own country. CIC would likely accept the legal adoption of niece if the niece is actually an orphan. Legally she is not an orphan. There is no such thing as half-orphan.