Families come together through many different circumstances. There are biological families where people are related by blood, traditional families consisting of husband, wife, and children, adoptive families, foster care, blended families, and more. Then there is also the concept of chosen families. These are groups of people who form close bonds without necessarily being related by birth or marriage. Chosen families can be created out of friends, roommates, coworkers, or even online acquaintances. They often function like real families, providing emotional support, celebrating holidays, sharing finances, and caring for one another when needed.
What happens if someone wants to immigrate to a new country? What about family reunification laws? Do they apply to chosen families? Let's explore the answer to this question.
Family Reunification Laws
When it comes to immigration, countries have laws that allow citizens to bring their spouses, parents, children, and sometimes other relatives into the country. This process is known as family reunification. The specific rules vary from country to country, but generally, immigrants must prove they have enough financial resources to support their relatives in the host nation and meet certain requirements such as age, relationship status, and criminal history checks.
Canada has a points-based system that considers factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Once approved, applicants receive permanent resident status, allowing them to live and work in the country indefinitely.
Chosen Families and Immigration
Does family reunification law apply to chosen families? Technically speaking, no. Since these groups are not biologically connected, they do not qualify under existing immigration policies.
There is an exception for LGBTQ+ couples who may choose to adopt each other to meet eligibility criteria. But what if two friends want to live together in a foreign country? Or if a person wants to move to a place where they can be closer to their best friend or roommate? Unfortunately, these scenarios fall outside of traditional definitions of "family" and are unlikely to be granted visas without additional evidence.
Alternative Options
If someone wants to start a chosen family life abroad, there are still options available. Firstly, one could look into investor programs where investing money into a business or real estate can lead to residency. Secondly, some countries offer humanitarian visas based on refugee or compassionate grounds. Lastly, individual nations sometimes make exceptions for high-skilled workers with specialized expertise needed by the economy. So while family reunification laws don't explicitly cover chosen families, there are alternative pathways that might allow you to bring your loved ones along.
How do family reunification laws affect chosen families?
Family reunification laws have different impact on chosen families depending on their social context, legal framework, and individual circumstances. While some jurisdictions may allow for adoption of non-biologically related children by same-sex couples, others may not provide any legal recognition to same-sex partnerships at all. This can lead to difficulties in securing parental rights for chosen parents and potentially limit their ability to care for their children in case of emergencies.