Do I need to count my dependent, who has been excluded from the family sponsorship class, as one of my family members?

[sevenseasexplorer]

Lately, I’ve been preparing to sponsor my parents. When it comes to calculating family size, there’s one part that confuses me. I hope someone can share their advice to help me figure this out.

I have one dependent from a previous marriage. His mother was granted custody and refused to take him for the medical examination during my permanent residency application. As a result, I had no choice but to sign a declaration stating that I would not be able to sponsor him under the family class in the future.

Since I have permanently given up the right to sponsor him under the family class, I’m wondering whether he should still be counted as a family member when I calculate my family size for sponsoring my parents.

Your advice will be deeply appreciated.

 

[Naturgrl]

So you entered the pool in 2020 and hoping to be selected in the lottery this year. If not then you are not sponsoring parents for some time. If not when did you become PR. Family includes you spouse, eligible children under 22 and parents. If you signed off and can never sponsor him that not included.

The pool has not been open since 2020. Expect when it reopens that you will be one of hundreds of thousands of profiles for 15k spots per year. Some are never selected so be prepared.

 

[canuck78]

Would also add that if you are lucky enough to get selected it may be a very long time (10+ years) before you can sponsor your parents. It appears that you only became a PR a few years ago. Parent sponsorship is not guaranteed and you and a few hundred thousand people will be vying for a small number of spots if/when the program opens again. Assume there will be an attempt to prioritize those waiting the longest somehow because there is such a large volume of people interested in sponsoring their parents. You need to make plans knowing your parents may have to remain in their home country.

 

[sevenseasexplorer]

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I became a PR in 2023, and at this stage, I’m just trying to make some plans in advance.

May I confirm something with you again, as I haven’t been able to find clearer information on IRCC's website?
The dependent for whom I once signed a declaration waiving my right to sponsor under the family class — would NOT be counted as a family member?
I’m asking because I need to determine the minimum annual income I’m required to meet for PGP even though it seems to be incredibly tough.

So you entered the pool in 2020 and hoping to be selected in the lottery this year. If not then you are not sponsoring parents for some time. If not when did you become PR. Family includes you spouse, eligible children under 22 and parents. If you signed off and can never sponsor him that not included.

The pool has not been open since 2020. Expect when it reopens that you will be one of hundreds of thousands of profiles for 15k spots per year. Some are never selected so be prepared.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I became a PR in 2023, and at this stage, I’m just trying to make some plans in advance.

May I confirm something with you again, as I haven’t been able to find clearer information on IRCC's website?
The dependent for whom I once signed a declaration waiving my right to sponsor under the family class — would NOT be counted as a family member?
I’m asking because I need to determine the minimum annual income I’m required to meet for PGP even though it seems to be incredibly tough.

So even if the program opens in 2026, you need to meet LICO for the 3 previous years. If you waived sponsorship then should not count. Call IRCC and confirm.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I became a PR in 2023, and at this stage, I’m just trying to make some plans in advance.

May I confirm something with you again, as I haven’t been able to find clearer information on IRCC's website?
The dependent for whom I once signed a declaration waiving my right to sponsor under the family class — would NOT be counted as a family member?
I’m asking because I need to determine the minimum annual income I’m required to meet for PGP even though it seems to be incredibly tough.

Realistically you should be aiming for far more than LICO for your family size to afford to sponsor a parent given the cost of living in Canada. You also need to be planning your finances to provide care for your parents abroad since I don’t think you appreciate how difficult it may be to sponsor your parents.

 

[sevenseasexplorer]

Realistically you should be aiming for far more than LICO for your family size to afford to sponsor a parent given the cost of living in Canada. You also need to be planning your finances to provide care for your parents abroad since I don’t think you appreciate how difficult it may be to sponsor your parents.

Yes, that is what I am doing. I haven't realised that in the first year and don't want to waste time on that because of the unawareness. I called IRCC but the system transferred me to webform, and it broke down again as expected. Your advice is very important to me. Thank you guys.

 

[canuck78]

Yes, that is what I am doing. I haven't realised that in the first year and don't want to waste time on that because of the unawareness. I called IRCC but the system transferred me to webform, and it broke down again as expected. Your advice is very important to me. Thank you guys.

The phone line provides incorrect answers all the time so pretty pointless to call especially about this uncommon scenario. Would suggest sending in a webform. It may take a few weeks to get a response but you will have it in writing. You should be aiming to earn more than LICO for your family size just to survive since LICO amounts are low compared to the actual cost of living. I assume that if/when they open PGP pool again there will likely be an attempt to prioritize people who have been waiting the longest although we can never predict what changes IRCC may make to PGP. If true you may only have a chance of being selected after approximately 10-15 years if at all. There is already a backlog and quotas have been reduced so processing times have increased and the volume of people hoping to sponsor their parents keeps growing. Wish Canada was more upfront that nobody should count on parent sponsorship being possible and that a supervisa is not a permanent move to Canada. While meeting LICO you also need to be exploring options and costs for your parents as they age in their home country.