Oloye said:Tinu,
CIC definition of dependent is direct family members. Family members include a spouse (wife or husband or same sex in legal marriage); a common-law partner (person who is living in a conjugal relationship with another person (opposite or same sex)); dependent children (Refers to the children of the applicant or those of the spouse or common-law partner), and the dependent child of a dependent child (Refers to children of dependent children of the applicant or those of the spouse or common-law partner.):
If the 16+ who has been living with you falls within above definition then she can be added. Other dependent outside this definition will come under sponsorship application after your landing.
The case of adoption makes the child more or less your dependent as soon as all legal docs are finalized. That is another possible option.
Oloye
Ways Of Sponsoring An Adult Brother Or Sister
Sponsoring adult siblings to move to Canada is tricky. Although it is a tough situation, it is not hopeless at all.
Let's discuss some different scenarios and probable solutions to them.
The immigration bill or law says that if an adult sibling is an orphan, under 18 years of age and single, Canadian citizens or permanent residents may sponsor them. Other than that, the only other way of sponsoring an adult brother or sister is through indirect means.
One is by sponsoring a parent. When a Canadian decide to sponsor his/her parent/s, any child of the parent who is under 22 and single can be included in the sponsorhip. If their children are over 22, they can also be considered for inclusion IF the child is substantially dependent on the parents before they turn at the age of 22 and IF they were in continous full time studies or pursues even vocational training since he/she turned 22.
Another situation where sponsoring an adult sibling is possible is if the citizen or Canadian landed immigrant lives alone in Canada, that he or she have no other relative (grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle etc.) living in Canada. This is actually applicable to ANY relative in your family regardless of how closely related the Canadian sponsor is. You can sponsor an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandfather, grandmother etc. if you are under a case like this.
Third is by applying as an independent immigrant. The passing mark to qualify for the Federal Skilled Immigration Class as required by Citizenship And Immigration Canada is 67 points
If your sibling is short of the point requirement, additional points can be gained by accomplishing one or a combination of this ways:
1) An Human Resources And Social Development Canada (HRSDC) approved job offer in Canada is waiting before he/she becomes a Canadian landed immigrant.
2) Obtain a work permit or gain at least one (1) year Canadian work experience.
3) Acquire two (2) years of study anywhere in Canada.
However, using your Canadian residence as support to boost your siblings' to reach the required points will not help. It is not also wise to apply as an independent immigrant if your brother or sister is short on the point requirement, although this is allowed, because of the backlog of the Federal Immigration Department, where some applicants have more than 67 points to show.
You can also check if your brother or sister qualifies to each provincial nominee programs of each province in Canada. A Canadian visa and immigration expert can provide free consultation by contacting them through email and may provide you with more information.