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Dependent Children Immigration

Sponsor dependent children under 22 years of age through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Sponsoring Dependent Children

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Family reunification is a cornerstone of Canadian immigration policy, and sponsoring your children is often one of the most straightforward sponsorship pathways.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child

Definition of Dependent Child

For Canadian immigration purposes, a dependent child is:

Under 22 Years Old:

  • Under the age of 22
  • Not married or in a common-law relationship

22 Years or Older:

  • 22 years of age or older
  • Depended on parent(s) for financial support since before age 22
  • Unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition

Types of Dependent Children

Biological Children:

  • Born to the sponsor
  • Birth certificate required
  • DNA testing may be requested in some cases

Adopted Children:

  • Legally adopted by the sponsor
  • Adoption must be in the best interests of the child
  • Intercountry adoption requirements apply if adopted from outside Canada

Stepchildren:

  • Child of the sponsor’s spouse or common-law partner
  • Marriage or common-law relationship must be genuine
  • Relationship to stepchild must be ongoing

Who Can Sponsor

Requirements to Sponsor a Dependent Child

Basic Requirements:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Live in Canada (citizens can sponsor from abroad if they will return when child arrives)
  • Agree to provide financial support for the child
  • Not be in default of previous sponsorship undertakings
  • Not be in default of court-ordered child support payments
  • Not be an undischarged bankrupt
  • Not have been convicted of certain criminal offenses

Who Cannot Sponsor

  • Are in prison
  • Have defaulted on immigration loans or performance bonds
  • Have declared bankruptcy and are not discharged
  • Receive social assistance for reasons other than disability
  • Were convicted of a violent or sexual offense against a family member
  • Are under a removal order

The Sponsorship Process

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Confirm that:

  • You (the sponsor) meet all requirements
  • The child meets the definition of dependent child
  • You have all required documentation

Step 2: Gather Documents

Sponsor Documents:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of relationship to child (birth certificate, adoption papers)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Divorce documents (if applicable)
  • Financial documents (if required)

Child’s Documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Photos meeting IRCC specifications
  • Police certificate (if 18 or older)
  • Medical examination results
  • School records (if applicable)
  • Custody documents (if applicable)

Step 3: Choose Application Type

Inland Sponsorship:

  • Child is already in Canada with valid status
  • Can apply for study permit while application processes
  • Processed within Canada
  • Limited appeal rights

Outland Sponsorship:

  • Child is living outside Canada
  • Processed through visa office in child’s country of residence
  • Full appeal rights to Immigration Appeal Division

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit both the sponsorship application and permanent residence application together.

Step 5: Processing

IRCC will assess:

  • Sponsor eligibility
  • Relationship genuineness
  • Child’s admissibility (medical, criminal, security)

Step 6: Decision

If approved, the child receives permanent residence status.

Financial Requirements

Income Requirements

Unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents, there is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a dependent child. However, you must:

  • Agree to provide for the child’s basic needs
  • Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability)

Undertaking

You must sign an undertaking promising to provide financial support for:

  • Dependent child under 22: 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first
  • Dependent child 22 or over: 3 years

This includes:

  • Food, clothing, shelter
  • Dental and eye care
  • Other health needs not covered by public health care

Special Considerations

Custody Issues

If the child’s parents are separated or divorced:

  • You must have legal custody or written consent from the other parent
  • All legal guardians must consent to the child immigrating to Canada
  • Provide custody orders or consent letters
  • IRCC will verify no child abduction concerns exist

Medical Requirements

All sponsored persons must undergo a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician.

Excessive Demand:

  • Generally not assessed for dependent children
  • However, serious medical conditions may require additional documentation

Adoption Cases

Intercountry Adoption:

  • Must comply with both Canadian law and child’s country of origin laws
  • Hague Convention requirements may apply
  • Provincial adoption requirements must be met
  • Home study may be required
  • Post-placement reports often required

Non-Hague Adoption:

  • Additional requirements apply
  • Best interests of the child assessment
  • Provincial approval required

Processing Times

Processing times vary based on:

  • Country of residence
  • Completeness of application
  • Complexity of case (custody issues, etc.)

Approximate Processing Times:

  • Dependent children (outside Canada): 10-12 months
  • Dependent children (inside Canada): 12-14 months

Rights of Permanent Resident Children

Once approved, your child will have the right to:

  • Live, work, or study anywhere in Canada
  • Access Canadian healthcare (after provincial waiting period)
  • Attend Canadian schools
  • Apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements

How We Can Help

Our services for sponsoring dependent children include:

✓ Eligibility Assessment - Confirm sponsor and child eligibility ✓ Document Guidance - Ensure all required documents are complete ✓ Custody Issue Resolution - Navigate complex custody situations ✓ Application Preparation - Complete and accurate applications ✓ Adoption Support - Navigate intercountry adoption requirements ✓ Inland vs. Outland Advice - Choose the best application pathway ✓ Interview Preparation - If required ✓ Follow-up - Track application status ✓ Post-Approval Support - Landing and settlement guidance

Document Checklist

For the Sponsor:

  • Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of residence in Canada
  • Birth certificate showing relationship to child
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Divorce certificate and custody order (if applicable)
  • Financial documents (employment letter, tax returns if requested)

For the Child:

  • Valid passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Photos (meeting IRCC specifications)
  • Police certificate (if 18 or older)
  • Medical examination results
  • School records (optional but recommended)
  • Consent from other parent/guardian (if applicable)
  • Adoption papers (if applicable)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Incomplete custody documentation - Provide all relevant custody orders
  • Not declaring all children - Must declare all children, even if not being sponsored
  • Expired passports - Ensure child’s passport is valid
  • Incorrect photos - Follow IRCC photo specifications exactly
  • Missing signatures - All required signatures must be included
  • Not updating IRCC - Report any changes in circumstances

Contact us to help bring your children to Canada. We’ll ensure your sponsorship application is complete and processed smoothly.