As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may have the opportunity to sponsor your dependent child (or children) to join you in Canada as permanent residents.
This guide explains how to sponsor your child for Canadian permanent residence, including who can sponsor and be sponsored, the financial obligations involved, and the application process.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Who Can Sponsor A Dependent Child?
To be eligible to sponsor your child for Canadian permanent residence, you must meet certain requirements. These include:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- You must either live in Canada or plan to return once your child becomes a permanent resident.
- You must meet the minimum annual income requirement to support yourself, your sponsored child, and any other dependents, if applicable.
Important Exceptions:
- Only Canadian citizens (not permanent residents) may sponsor a dependent child while living outside of Canada.
- If your dependent child does not have children of their own, you do not need to meet a minimum income threshold. However, if they do have dependents, you must complete the Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283) to confirm you meet the income requirement.
Who Cannot Sponsor A Child?
Even if you meet the eligibility criteria, certain circumstances may make you ineligible to sponsor a child, including:
- Submitting a sponsorship application for the same child that is still being processed.
- Being behind on required payments, such as immigration loans, performance bonds, or court-ordered support (alimony or child support).
- Failing to provide financial support under a past sponsorship agreement.
- Having declared bankruptcy and not yet being discharged.
- Receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
- Having a conviction for a violent criminal offence.
- Currently serving a sentence in jail, prison, or penitentiary.
- Having been issued a removal order requiring you to leave Canada.
Note: These restrictions do not apply to residents of Quebec, which has its own sponsorship system.
Who Qualifies As A Dependent Child?
For a child to be sponsored, they must be admissible to Canada and meet the definition of a dependent child.
A dependent is:
- Your biological or adopted child, or that of your spouse or partner.
- Under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship.
Children over 22 may still qualify if they:
- Are unable to support themselves financially due to a mental or physical condition
- Have relied on parental financial support since before turning 22
It’s also important to note that your child must continue meeting dependency requirements until Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a final decision on their application.
The Sponsorship Agreement And Undertaking
When you apply to sponsor your child for Canadian permanent residence, you must sign a sponsorship agreement and an undertaking. These documents confirm that you will take financial responsibility for your child for a set period of time (the undertaking period).
During this period, you agree to:
- Cover your child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
- Pay for health-related needs not covered by Canada’s public healthcare system, like dental or vision care.
- Ensure your child does not require government social assistance. If they do, you will be responsible for repaying the government.
In most cases, both the sponsor and the child must sign the agreement. However, dependent children under 22 are exempt from this requirement.
Length of sponsorship commitment in Canada:
| Age | Length Of Time |
| Under 22 years of age | 10 years or until they turn 25 (whichever comes first). |
| 22 years of age or older | 3 years. |
Withdrawal: You can only withdraw your sponsorship application before your child becomes a permanent resident. Once PR status is granted, the undertaking cannot be canceled.
Applying To Sponsor A Dependent Child
To sponsor your child or the child of your spouse, you must submit two applications together:
- Sponsorship Application: To be recognized as a sponsor.
- Permanent Residence Application: For your dependent child to become a permanent resident.
The principal applicant in this case is your child (the dependent). Both applications must be submitted online through the Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
Key Requirements For The Application
- You must provide proof that the other parent or legal guardian has agreed to the child immigrating to Canada.
- If your child has a child of their own, they must include them as a dependent in the application, regardless of whether that child will move to Canada.
Step-By-Step Process
Step 1: Download the application package from IRCC, which includes instructions, forms, and a personalized document checklist.
Step 2: Gather and upload all required documents. If you cannot provide a document, submit a written explanation.
Step 3: Provide a police certificate if applicable. Any dependent aged 18 or older who has lived outside Canada for six or more consecutive months since turning 18 must submit police certificates from each country of residence.
Step 4: Complete, sign, and validate all required forms in the PR Portal.
Step 5: Pay the application fees, which total $255:
- Sponsorship Fee: $85
- Processing Fee: $85
- Biometrics Fee: $85 (for dependents aged 14 and above)
If your sponsored child has a dependent child of their own, an additional fee of $175 applies.
Step 6: Submit the application online following the instructions provided.
Step 7: Provide any further supporting documentation if requested by IRCC.
Processing times vary depending on the child’s country of residence.
Special Rules For Quebec Residents
Quebec operates under a separate agreement with the federal government, giving it control over family sponsorship programs. If you live in Quebec, you must follow additional steps.
- Sponsors in Quebec must apply to both IRCC and Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
- MIFI assesses whether you qualify to sponsor and will notify IRCC of its decision.
- Quebec has its own sponsorship undertaking requirements and fees.
- If your dependent child has dependents of their own, you will also need to meet Quebec’s income requirements through an income assessment with MIFI.
Important Update For Quebec:
Quebec has paused sponsorship applications for dependent children aged 18 and older until June 25, 2026. Applications received before this date will be returned, and fees refunded, unless they qualify for limited exceptions.
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