about-sibling-immigration-in-canada-and-the-united-states

About Sibling Immigration in Canada and the United States

2023-04-23

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you may be able to sponsor your relatives to come and live with you in Canada. However, not all relatives are eligible for sponsorship, and the rules are different from those in the United States.

Sibling Immigration Policy of Canada

In Canada, you can only sponsor your siblings (brothers or sisters) in very specific situations. They must be orphaned, under 18 years of age, single, and related to you by blood or adoption. This means that both their parents must have passed away, and they cannot be married or in a common-law or conjugal relationship.

You also cannot sponsor your siblings if you have any other living relatives who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or registered Indians, such as a spouse, partner, child, parent, grandparent, or aunt/uncle.

Sibling Immigration Policy of America

In the United States, you can sponsor your siblings (including full biological siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, or adopted siblings) regardless of their age, marital status, or whether they have living parents. However, the process is much longer and more complicated than for other relatives.

The sibling sponsor immigration program in America allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their brother or sister for an F4 Visa, which is a family-based visa for lawful permanent residents.

You must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen to sponsor your siblings. You also have to prove that you have enough income or assets to support them financially.

The waiting time for a visa for your siblings can be several years or even decades, depending on their country of origin and the number of applications in the same category.

Why Canada and the U.S. have different immigration policies for siblings?

The difference between the sibling sponsor immigration program in America and Canada reflects the different immigration policies and priorities of each country.

Canada has a more selective and restrictive approach to family sponsorship, focusing on immediate family members who are in need of protection or reunification.

The United States has a more inclusive and generous approach to family sponsorship, allowing more distant relatives to join their family members in the country. However, the United States also has a more complex and lengthy process for sibling sponsorship, which may discourage some applicants or delay their arrival.

More detailed reasons for the differences in US and Canadian sibling immigration policies:

Historical and demographic differences: The U.S. has a longer history of immigration and a larger and more diverse immigrant population than Canada. The U.S. also has a higher rate of unauthorized immigration, especially from Latin America, which may affect its policy preferences and public attitudes towards immigration. Canada, on the other hand, has a smaller and more selective immigration system that focuses on economic and humanitarian objectives.
Political and institutional differences: The U.S. has a more polarized and gridlocked political system than Canada, which makes it harder to reform its immigration laws and policies. The U.S. also has a federal system that gives states and localities more autonomy and influence over immigration matters, while Canada has a more centralized system that gives the federal government more control and coordination over immigration and settlement. Moreover, Canada has a points-based system that assesses immigrants' skills and qualifications objectively, while the U.S. relies more on employer sponsorship and family ties to determine eligibility.
Policy goals and challenges: The U.S. and Canada may have different policy goals and challenges when it comes to sibling immigration. The U.S. may prioritize family reunification and diversity as important values and benefits of immigration, while Canada may emphasize economic integration and social cohesion as key outcomes of immigration. The U.S. may also face more pressure and demand for sibling immigration from its large immigrant communities, while Canada may have more capacity and flexibility to adjust its immigration levels and categories according to its needs and interests.

[References]:

https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/december-2022/immigration-policy-crossroads/

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/douglas-todd-whats-different-and-similar-in-canada-and-u-s-immigration-policy/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/16/upshot/comparing-immigration-policies-across-countries.html

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/11/key-facts-about-u-s-immigration-policies-and-bidens-proposed-changes/