Citizenship for sponsored parents granted PR (?)

[Hope+Faith]

hi,
i'm in the process of starting sponsorship for my parents. they are already in canada on a 5year multiple-entries visa, on SUPER VISA program. however, there is one thing im not clear about: the rule is the undertaking is for 20 years. while my parents are here as permanent residents (if we all qualify), can they start applying for citizenship? if yes, when can they do that? most importantly, once they become citizens, does anything change in terms of entitlements? meaning, are they entitled of financial support from the government (social assistance) or is it the sponsor's obligation to cover for EVERYTHING, even when they become Canadians, throughout the 20year period?
this is really unclear for me and would be grateful for an answer.
thanks

 

[Rob_TO]

hi,
i'm in the process of starting sponsorship for my parents. they are already in canada on a 5year multiple-entries visa, on SUPER VISA program. however, there is one thing im not clear about: the rule is the undertaking is for 20 years. while my parents are here as permanent residents (if we all qualify), can they start applying for citizenship? if yes, when can they do that?

They can apply for citizenship after they meet the citizenship qualification requirements. Right now that is spending 4 out of 6 years in Canada as a PR. Time spent in Canada before becoming a PR doesn't count.

most importantly, once they become citizens, does anything change in terms of entitlements? meaning, are they entitled of financial support from the government (social assistance) or is it the sponsor's obligation to cover for EVERYTHING, even when they become Canadians, throughout the 20year period?

The 20 years undertaking does not go away even if they become citizens. You are still responsible for them financially during this entire time, but basically that only means if they ever go on welfare you need to pay it back.

They are still eligible for Canadian benefits whether they are a PR or citizen. Becoming a citizen basically just means they can get a Canadian passport, don't need to renew PR cards anymore, and can vote in elections.

 

[Hope+Faith]

Thanks much Rob for your quick reply; quite helpful.
however, when you say "They are still eligible for Canadian benefits whether they are a PR or citizen" Im assuming that means: having medical access, hospitalization, the right to buy property etc, similar to any other PR in the country. Still, would they also be entitled to pension or any financial support at all, be it PR or citizen?

also, on another topic, when applying to sponsor them, and if i decide to go alone and not have my common-law partner co-sign, should i consider the minimum income (for 5 people in this case) as my income only, or combined with that of my partner?
i.e. for 2013, the min income is CAD 63,833
my income alone is less than that, but with my partner's is more. now if i decide to sponsor alone, does that mean i do not qualify?
thanks again

 

[scylla]

Your partner will need to co-sign the application in order for you to qualify to sponsor your parents.

Your parents most likely won't qualify for any pension payments given their age and date of arrival in Canada. I would recommend you read up on the rules surrounding the Canadian Pension Plan to understand what will and won't be possible. At most, they will qualify for a partial pension payment. If they qualify, they can go ahead and receive this money.

If your parents go on welfare/social assistance anytime within 20 years of landing and becoming permanent residents, you will be responsible for paying all of this money back to the government. If doesn't matter if they become citizens - this doesn't change the rules.

 

[Rob_TO]

Still, would they also be entitled to pension or any financial support at all, be it PR or citizen?

I don't think it makes a difference if they're PR or citizen, it has to do with what they qualify for based on their ages at the time they become PRs.

if i decide to go alone and not have my common-law partner co-sign, should i consider the minimum income (for 5 people in this case) as my income only, or combined with that of my partner?

A spouse/common-law partner and dependent age kids are always included in family size, regardless of it they're a co-signer or not.

 

[Leon]

Still, would they also be entitled to pension or any financial support at all, be it PR or citizen?

CPP is Canada Pension Plan and they wouldn't get that unless they'd worked in Canada and paid into it.

OAS Pension is Old Age Security and they would qualify for that after they've lived in Canada for 10 years as long as they continue to live in Canada. If they want to claim it while living outside Canada, they'd need to have been in Canada for 20 years.

They have the same right as any other PR to go on welfare or disability if they are disabled but because you are their sponsor, you would have to repay it to the government and your husband too if he co-signs.