children-sponsorship🇨🇦 Canada
Sponsoring Dependent Children: Complete Guide
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Sponsoring Dependent Children
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their dependent children to come to Canada as permanent residents. Children can also be included on a spousal sponsorship application.
Who Is a Dependent Child?
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 22 years old at the time of application |
| Relationship | Biological or adopted child |
| Dependency | Has depended substantially on the parent's financial support since before age 22 |
| Over 22 exception | If has depended substantially on financial support due to a mental or physical condition since before age 22 |
Sponsoring Children Alone
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor status | Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
| Age | 18+ |
| Relationship | Biological or adopted child |
| Income | No minimum income requirement |
| Undertaking | Until child turns 22 or for 10 years (whichever comes first) |
Children on Spousal Applications
Children can be included on a spousal sponsorship application:
| Scenario | Details |
|---|---|
| Your children | Include on your sponsorship application |
| Spouse's children | Include as accompanying dependents |
| Both | All dependent children can be included |
Adoption
To sponsor an adopted child:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Adoption | Must be legal in the child's country of origin AND in your province of residence |
| Hague Convention | If the child's country is a Hague Convention signatory, additional rules apply |
| Home study | Required by your province |
| Best interests | The adoption must be in the best interests of the child |
Processing Times
| Type | Typical Processing |
|---|---|
| Child on spousal application | ~12 months (processed together) |
| Child alone | ~12 months |
| Adopted child | 12–24 months (adoption process adds time) |
Required Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Long-form showing parents' names |
| Custody/guardianship documents | If applicable |
| Adoption order | If adopted |
| Medical exam | Required for all applicants |
| Police certificate | If child is 18+ |
| Consent | From other legal parent (if not sponsoring both parents) |
| Photos | Immigration specifications |
Tips
- Include children on spousal applications — more efficient than separate applications
- Age lock — the child's age is "locked" at the time of submission
- Get consent from the other parent — legally required if you have shared custody
- International adoption is complex — start the process well in advance
- Over-22 dependents — can still qualify if they have a qualifying condition
- Don't delay — submit before the child turns 22
Source: IRCC — Sponsor Your Children
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