Bring sister and family

[samakh]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian citizen and have been residing in Canada for the past 10 years. I came through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. I have been working full-time for the past five years. I am currently renting and have approximately CAD 100k in savings.

I am exploring what options may be available for my sister and her family to come to Canada, either temporarily or permanently.

My sister is 44 years old and a qualified software engineer, although she has not been working recently as she has been the primary caregiver for her son. Her husband is the managing director of a software development company with its head office in the United States. They are financially stable, own a home in Pakistan valued at approximately CAD 300k, and have additional assets.

They have two children. Their eldest, who is now 20, recently experienced a brain stroke and subsequently developed Ataxia. He is able to manage his basic daily needs but does require ongoing supervision and support, and my sister is his primary caregiver. Their younger child is almost 18, exceptionally well academically, and attends one of the highest-ranking schools in Pakistan.

As a family, they are exploring Canada as a place where they can build long term stability. I currently live here alone with my son, and we do not have nearby family support. Their presence in Canada would be good for us too.

They are also looking where their children can continue their education and where appropriate medical and rehabilitation supports are available for their eldest son. They previously travelled to the United States for rehabilitation.

Could you please advise on the most appropriate immigration pathways that may be available to them? I would also appreciate understanding any potential concerns or red flags I should be aware of. Thanks.

 

[April1990]

Permanent Residence (PR) Options
Unfortunately, as a Canadian citizen, you cannot sponsor a sibling for PR under family sponsorship (unless you are completely alone in the world with no other family members, which does not apply here).
So they would need to qualify independently under an economic or other program.

A. Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker / CEC / FST)
This is the most common PR route.
Your sister (44, software engineer)

Concerns:

• Age 44 = significant CRS points lost
• Gap in employment may reduce competitiveness
• She would need:
  • IELTS (high score required)
  • ECA (educational credential assessment)
  • Proof of funds (~$27,000+ for family of four)

At age 44, even with strong language scores, it is very difficult to be competitive in Express Entry unless:

• She has very high IELTS (CLB 9+)
• Strong past work history
• Possibly French

Age becomes a serious disadvantage after 40.
Her husband (Managing Director of US-based software company)
This may be stronger.
If he:

• Has senior management experience (NOC TEER 0)
• Strong English
• Solid work history

He might be more competitive.
However, age still reduces CRS.
B. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
This may be more realistic.
Some provinces target:

• Tech workers
• Senior managers
• Entrepreneurs

For example:

• Ontario Tech Draw
• BC Tech
• Alberta Advantage
• Saskatchewan Tech

However, most require:

• Active employment
• A job offer in Canada

C. Intra-Company Transfer (Very Important Option)
This could be very strong.
If her husband:

• Is a managing director
• Works for a company headquartered in the U.S.
• The company has or can open a Canadian branch

He may qualify under:
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Work Permit
Requirements:

• Worked at least 1 year in past 3 years in executive/senior role
• Canadian branch/subsidiary exists or will be created

This could allow:

• Work permit for him
• Open work permit for your sister
• Study permits for children

After 1 year in Canada:
→ Apply for PR under Canadian Experience Class
This is often a very strategic route for executives.
D. Study Permit (Younger Child – Almost 18)
The younger child could:

• Apply to Canadian university
• Get study permit
• After graduation → Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
• Then PR pathway

This is one of the most common long-term strategies.
However:

• International tuition is expensive ($25k–$50k per year)
• Must show strong ties + financial ability

Given their assets, this is feasible.
E. Study Permit for Your Sister
Less ideal at 44 unless:

• She wants to re-enter tech
• Enroll in Canadian postgraduate diploma
• Then PGWP → PR

Age is not disqualifying, but officers may question intent.
Temporary Options
Visitor Visa
They can apply for visitor visas.
Given:

• Property ownership
• Strong financial profile
• Business ties

They are likely to qualify.
However, visitor visa does NOT allow:

• Working
• Studying long-term
• Access to public healthcare

Major Issue: Medical Inadmissibility (Very Important)
This is the most critical issue in your case.
Canada has a rule called:
Excessive Demand on Health or Social Services
If a dependent family member is expected to cost more than a certain threshold per year in medical or social services, the entire family can be refused PR.
As of recent thresholds:

• Around ~$120,000 over 5 years (approximate; indexed yearly)

Your nephew:

• Stroke history
• Ataxia
• Needs supervision
• May require rehabilitation, therapy, possibly disability supports

This could trigger:

• Medical inadmissibility refusal

This is a serious and real risk.
Even if:

• He can perform daily activities
• He is cognitively stable

If government medical officer determines:

• He will require expensive long-term care
• Special education supports
• Ongoing rehabilitation

The whole PR application could be refused.
Important:
Medical inadmissibility:

• Applies to most economic immigration
• Does NOT apply to refugees
• Does NOT apply to sponsored spouse/child (but siblings don’t qualify anyway)

There are legal mitigation strategies (mitigation plan), but they are complex and not guaranteed.
This is something that absolutely requires consultation with an immigration lawyer experienced in medical inadmissibility.
Potential Red Flags

1. Sister not currently employed
2. Age (44)
3. Medical condition of eldest son
4. If applying for study permits: officer may suspect permanent intent
5. If applying as full family for PR → medical refusal risk

Most Realistic Strategic Pathways
Based on everything you shared, here is what seems most practical:
OPTION 1 (Strongest): Intra-Company Transfer for Husband
If possible:

• Company expands to Canada
• He transfers as executive
• Family comes on dependent permits
• After 1 year → PR under Canadian Experience Class

BUT medical inadmissibility still applies for PR.
OPTION 2: Younger Child Comes First as Student

• Enroll in university
• Parents visit
• Build long-term pathway through child

This avoids immediate medical inadmissibility because study permit medical thresholds are different and more flexible than PR.
OPTION 3: Family Applies for PR — With Legal Strategy
If they want PR directly:

• Husband as primary applicant
• Careful medical documentation
• Legal representation to prepare mitigation plan

Without proper preparation, risk of refusal is high.
Given:

• Their financial stability
• Husband’s executive role
• Son’s medical condition

Think about:

1. First consult a strong Canadian immigration lawyer specifically experienced in medical inadmissibility.
2. Explore intra-company transfer feasibility.
3. Separately explore younger child’s university pathway.
4. Do NOT rush into Express Entry without assessing medical risk.

I could be wrong , lets wait for the best , who knows better

 

[canuck78]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian citizen and have been residing in Canada for the past 10 years. I came through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. I have been working full-time for the past five years. I am currently renting and have approximately CAD 100k in savings.

I am exploring what options may be available for my sister and her family to come to Canada, either temporarily or permanently.

My sister is 44 years old and a qualified software engineer, although she has not been working recently as she has been the primary caregiver for her son. Her husband is the managing director of a software development company with its head office in the United States. They are financially stable, own a home in Pakistan valued at approximately CAD 300k, and have additional assets.

They have two children. Their eldest, who is now 20, recently experienced a brain stroke and subsequently developed Ataxia. He is able to manage his basic daily needs but does require ongoing supervision and support, and my sister is his primary caregiver. Their younger child is almost 18, exceptionally well academically, and attends one of the highest-ranking schools in Pakistan.

As a family, they are exploring Canada as a place where they can build long term stability. I currently live here alone with my son, and we do not have nearby family support. Their presence in Canada would be good for us too.

They are also looking where their children can continue their education and where appropriate medical and rehabilitation supports are available for their eldest son. They previously travelled to the United States for rehabilitation.

Could you please advise on the most appropriate immigration pathways that may be available to them? I would also appreciate understanding any potential concerns or red flags I should be aware of. Thanks.

There is no clear path for PR for them due to their ages at the moment. How old is the father? Assume neither are fluent in French. There may be a chance for a WP if his US employer can justify why he needs to work from Canada. The WP may not be approved purely due to the medical costs associated with their son. It will likely take up to a year (may be longer) for him to get into see the specialists he needs and will likely be 1+ year to receive some form of treatment. How long it will take will depend on where in Canada you are located. Could be longer in some locations. The parents would need to look into whether they will receive an extended health benefit program through their employer, how much/what would it cover and whether the 20 year old would be covered under either parents’ plan. There is no mention of him planning on pursuing full-time post-secondary studies and he may be unable to do so but that is often the reason parents can extend the coverage of children past around 18. Canada has partial Medicare so many things aren’t actually covered and need to be paid for out of pocket. The other big issue is the son will only be a dependent until age 22 and at that point would need to qualify to remain in Canada on his own. Processing for a WP can take quite a while so even if they are approved he may only have a year before he would need to try and find a way to stay in Canada as a single person. Even if we disregard the children the parents would need to consider whether it make sense to move across the world if you know that there is currently was no realistic way to remain in Canada longterm. Each child would also need to find a path to stay on their own. For example does the youngest so have plans to pursue postsecondary education education. Has the family looked at the cost of attending school as an international student, have they looked at the qualify of school in the local area and the chances of admission, would the child remain the parents left Canada, etc. Lots to consider.