Who Can Be A Sponsor For A Canadian Study Visa

Study In Canada May 4, 2023 0 2634 Add to Reading List

For overseas students, study in Canada can be a rewarding experience, but you must first secure a study visa in order to be able to enrol in a Canadian institution or college. By offering you financial and emotional support while you're in Canada, a sponsor might play a crucial part in assisting you in getting your study visa. We'll go through who qualifies as a sponsor for a Canadian study visa in this blog post as well as the duties they must carry out.

Who can be a sponsor for a Canadian study visa?

Anyone who satisfies the following requirements may act as a sponsor for a Canadian study visa:

Canadian national or lawful resident: The sponsor must be a citizen of Canada or a Canadian permanent resident.
18 years of age or older The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate that they have the means to support the foreign student while they are studying in Canada.
Not bankrupt: The sponsor cannot be in the process of filing for bankruptcy or be in bankruptcy already.
Not in default: The sponsor must not be in arrears on any prior loans or commitments related to sponsorship or immigration.
Relationship with the student: The sponsor must be close to the international student they are supporting. There are several possible types of relationships:
Parent or grandparent
Brother or sister
Uncle or aunt
Niece or nephew
Spouse or common-law partner
Same-sex partner
Financial assistance: During the international student's stay in Canada, the sponsor must be able to support them financially. This involves allocating money for tuition, living costs, travel, and medical care.

Responsibilities of a sponsor

You will be accountable for the following if you choose to support an international student:

Signing a sponsorship contract: The sponsor is required to sign a sponsorship contract outlining their duties and commitments.
Supporting the student financially: During the foreign student's stay in Canada, the sponsor is required to support the student financially. This covers things like paying for school, housing, transportation, and medical care.
Helping the student locate housing: During the student's stay in Canada, the sponsor must assist the international student in obtaining appropriate housing.
Compliance with Canadian laws: The sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the international student complies with all applicable Canadian laws and regulations.
Notifying the immigration authorities of any circumstances changes: The sponsor is required to notify the immigration authorities of any circumstances changes, such as a change in address, change of employment, or change in marital status.
Keeping records: The sponsor is required to maintain thorough records of all monetary transactions associated with the sponsorship.

Conclusion

An overseas student looking to further their studies in Canada may find a sponsor to be a valuable resource. The sponsor must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and capable of supporting the foreign student financially throughout their time in Canada. If you want to become a sponsor, you are required to complete all tasks and obligations mentioned in the sponsorship agreement. Together, sponsors and overseas students can make sure that their time studying in Canada is fruitful and rewarding.

FAQs

1. What is a sponsor for a Canadian study visa?
A sponsor for a Canadian study visa is a person who provides financial and moral support to an international student during their stay in Canada.

2. Who can be a sponsor for a Canadian study visa?
A sponsor for a Canadian study visa can be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old, has the financial resources to support the international student, and has a close relationship with the student.

3. What relationships qualify for sponsorship?
The following relationships qualify for sponsorship: parent or grandparent, brother or sister, uncle or aunt, niece or nephew, spouse or common-law partner, same-sex partner.

4. Can a friend or distant relative be a sponsor?
No, only those with a close relationship as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can be sponsors.

5. Can a company or organization be a sponsor?
No, only individuals can be sponsors.

6. Can a sponsor be living outside of Canada?
No, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

7. What is the role of a sponsor?
The role of a sponsor is to provide financial and moral support to an international student during their stay in Canada, including covering tuition fees, living expenses, transportation, and healthcare.

8. What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?
The responsibilities of a sponsor include signing a sponsorship agreement, providing financial support, assisting the student in finding accommodation, ensuring the student complies with Canadian laws, informing the immigration authorities of any changes in circumstances, and keeping records.

9. How much financial support is required?
The amount of financial support required varies depending on the student's program of study and the cost of living in the specific city or province.

10. Can the student work while studying?
Yes, international students are allowed to work part-time on or off-campus during their studies.

11. Can a sponsor withdraw their support?
Yes, a sponsor can withdraw their support at any time, but they must inform the immigration authorities and the international student in writing.

12. What happens if a sponsor withdraws their support?
If a sponsor withdraws their support, the international student must find another sponsor or leave Canada.

13. How long is a sponsorship agreement valid for?
A sponsorship agreement is valid for the duration of the international student's program of study.

14. Can a sponsor sponsor more than one student at a time?
Yes, a sponsor can sponsor more than one student at a time, but they must be able to provide financial support for all of them.

15. What if the international student's program of study is longer than the sponsorship agreement?
The sponsor must sign a new sponsorship agreement if the international student's program of study is longer than the initial agreement.

16. Can a sponsor be held liable for the international student's debts?
No, the sponsor is not responsible for the international student's debts.

17. Can a sponsor be held liable for the international student's actions?
No, the sponsor is not responsible for the international student's actions.

18. Can a sponsor apply for permanent residency for the international student?
No, the sponsor cannot apply for permanent residency for the international student.

19. Can a sponsor apply for citizenship for the international student?
No, the sponsor cannot apply for citizenship for the international student.

20. Can a sponsor be reimbursed for the financial support they provided to the international student?
No, a sponsor cannot be reimbursed for the financial support they provided to the international student.