How having siblings in Canada can help you to immigrate?
As you already know, the Express Entry is a management system for some of Canada’s most popular immigration programs. But did you know that having siblings in Canada can give you a significant advantage in the Express Entry points system? Immigration consultant, certified by ICCRC, Marjorie Quintos (R507150) gave some inputs on how brothers and sisters in Canada facilitate your path to Permanent Residency.
Express Entry additional CRS points
Through Express Entry, eligible candidates are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). After being ranked, the may be invited to apply for Permanent Residency in a draw. From time to time, normally every month, Canada immigration authorities launch a draw.
It is important to know that just getting into the pool doesn’t mean that you will be automatically invited to apply. But the higher the score, the better are the chances to receive an invitation. Therefore, having siblings can be a great advantage, since it gives extra points to applicants.
For Express Entry management system, all applicants must qualify for at least one of the three programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP). Also, some streams of certain Provincial Nominee Programs go under the Express Entry management system.
For scoring in the CRS, various factors are taken into consideration. The factors are related to education, age, professional experience, language certificates, valid job offer, spouse or common-law partner skills (if applicable), etc. Also, additional points can be given to provincial nomination, arranged employment, post-secondary education in Canada, good level of French as a second language and having siblings in Canada as permanent residents or citizens.
Also read: How long can temporary foreign workers stay in Canada?
Check if you are eligible to work in Canada
Extra points criteria for siblings in Canada
This new rule for siblings in Canada came into force in June 2017. Since then, it is benefiting many Express Entry applicants with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident siblings. “Especially if the candidate has not a high level of English or the ideal age for immigration, 15 extra points can make a good difference in the pool”, says the immigration consultant Marjorie Quintos.
To be granted the 15 extra points in the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System), the sibling of the candidate must be at least 18 years old. And the brother or sister must be living in Canada as Citizen or Permanent Resident. Also, the relationship between the candidate and his/her siblings can be through blood, adoption, marriage or common-law partnership. In other words, this rule is also extended to spouses or common-law partners if they are included in the Express Entry application.
Also read: Three years of the Express Entry program: Canada needs foreign skilled workers
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker is the most popular of the three programs managed through federal Express Entry since it has no specific positions in demand like the Federal Skilled Trade Program. Also, no previous Canadian work experience is required, which is makes it even more attractive to skilled foreign workers that want to move to Canada permanently. But its way of calculating points it is slightly different. To be eligible, candidates must meet 67 points or higher out of 100.
The six selection factors that grant points to applicants are Language skills (maximum 28 points), Education (maximum 25 points), Experience (maximum 15 points), Age (maximum 12 points), Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points) and Adaptability (maximum 10 points).
Having a relative in Canada gives you 5 points in the Adaptability factor and that include brothers or sisters. Which is also a possibility to stand out from other candidates in the pool even if the applicant doesn’t have great scores in the other selection factors. And as other Express Entry categories, they must be currently living in Canada, be 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. And is also extended to siblings of spouses or common-law partners, if they are included in the application.
Also read: How to become a Canadian citizen and get world’s 4th best passport?
Check if you are eligible to work in Canada
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
Also, siblings can give 20 points on the Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas stream of the MPNP under the adaptability factor. The maximum of points for this category is 25 on Manitoba Skilled Workers Overseas stream. For this stream, all candidates must demonstrate a strong connection to the province in the adaptability factor.
The strong connection can be through the support of family members or friends or other reasons. Previous education or work experience in Manitoba also qualify as a strong connection. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) received directly from the MPNP as part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative count as well. Candidates only receive points for one type of connection, even if multiple apply to them.
If the connection to Manitoba is through the support of family members or friends, the so-called “Manitoba Supporter” must be willing to endorse the immigration of the applicant. It means that the relative or friend must be already a resident of Manitoba and provide documents or demonstrations that will help in the application process of the candidate, like the list below.
– Proof of living continuously in Manitoba for at least one year
– Proof of being a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
– Demonstration that can support the applicant’s Settlement Plan
– Demonstration of close ties to the applicant and the province
– Proof of familial relationship, in the case of close relatives. By close relatives, Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program accepts sister or brother; niece or nephew; aunt or uncle; first cousin; mother or father; and grandmother or grandfather. Daughter or son are not accepted.
Also read: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) brings news for 2018
MPNP is not a sponsorship program
Although it uses the term “supporter”, it is important to reinforce that the MPNP is not a sponsorship program. Also, a paid immigration representative or a Canadian elected official or their staff don’t qualify as supporters. And as said before, it must demonstrate to be a relative or a friend of the applicant or the applicant’s spouse.
In addition, having a supporter is not enough to qualify for the program. To be eligible, the candidate has to comprise the requirements of the MPNP steam that he or she is applying for. Since is oriented for economic immigrants, all MPNP candidates must be a skilled worker with sufficient points for language, employability, education, age, and adaptability according to the MPNP criteria. Also, applicants must prove to have sufficient settlement funds and the genuine intention to settle in Manitoba as permanent residents.
Also read: What is the best provincial nominee program for immigrating in 2018?
Is there a sibling sponsorship program in Canada?
There is no specific Family Sponsorship program for brothers and sisters in Canada for a long time. But in very rare and specific circumstance, is possible to sponsor a sibling. The circumstance is 
if the brother or sister of the applicant is an orphan younger than 18 years. In addition, they can’t have a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
And to sponsor the applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and; be 18 years or older and; meet set income guidelines; and agree in writing to give financial support to the relative for up to 10 years. This period begins on the date they become a permanent resident, if applicable.
Also read: How will Canada increase immigration through Family Class programs?
Check if you are eligible to sponsor a sibling into Canada
Do you want to immigrate to Canada?
There are different ways you can immigrate to Canada. And Mercan Group has the experience and expertise to guide you through this process. Mercan can represent you in an Express Entry application, a Provincial Nominee Program or any other working program you pick. Also, Mercan can guide you in a Family Sponsorship application, as well. So, in all cases, you can always count on Mercan Group of Companies to help you.
How can Mercan help you (2 EASY STEPS)?
1-Fill Mercan Group Free Assessment.
2-Check your email regularly. Wait for Mercan’s professional immigration team to give a full assessment feedback. And inform you about the next steps.
