Sponsoring Dependent Children to Canada

A dependent child is a member of the family class (Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, IRPR, s. 117(1)(b)). You can sponsor a child on their own, with the child as principal applicant, or include your partner's or your own child as a dependant on a spouse or partner sponsorship. Each child sponsored as a principal applicant needs a separate, complete application.

Age limit for most dependent children

Under 22

Government fees per child, with no right of permanent residence fee

$180

Undertaking for a child under 22, or until age 25 if sooner

10 years

To appeal a refusal to the Immigration Appeal Division

30 days

Two things decide most cases: whether the child meets the legal definition on the lock-in date, and whether the documents prove the parent-child relationship and the other parent's consent. If documents are weak, IRCC may offer a DNA test, but only as a last resort.

• RelationshipYour biological child (if not adopted by someone other than your spouse or partner), or your adopted child. When you sponsor your spouse or partner, their biological or adopted child can be included.
• Under 22Less than 22 years old and not a spouse or common-law partner
• Or 22 or olderHas depended substantially on the parent's financial support since before 22, and cannot be financially self-supporting because of a physical or mental condition
• Still dependent at decisionApart from age, the child must keep meeting the definition until IRCC finishes processing (for example, must not marry)
• Not a citizenA child who is already a Canadian citizen cannot be sponsored
• Declared earlierIf you became a permanent resident without declaring and having the child examined, the child is generally excluded (IRPR s. 117(9)(d))
• AdmissibleThe child must pass medical, criminal and security checks. Excessive demand on health services does not apply to a sponsored child (IRPA s. 38(2)(a)).

The age lock-in date is the day the application is made (IRPR s. 25.1(1)); IRCC's guide says the day it receives your complete application. A child who turns 22 during processing still counts. If the age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, an older definition may apply. IRCC has an online tool to check whether a child qualifies.

The sponsor rules are the same as for other family members: at least 18, a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, living in Canada, and not barred by social assistance, a default, a disqualifying conviction or a removal order. A citizen living abroad may sponsor a dependent child who has no children of their own if they will live in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident (IRPR s. 130(2)).

An adoption counts only if it creates a legal parent-child relationship and ends the earlier one (IRPR s. 3(2)). It must not be mainly for immigration. For a child adopted under 18, it must also be in the child's best interests, which IRPR s. 117(3) defines through these conditions:

• Home studyA competent authority conducted or approved a home study of the adoptive parents
• Parents' consentThe child's parents gave free and informed consent before the adoption
• Genuine relationshipThe adoption created a genuine parent-child relationship
• Legal in both placesLawful where it took place and where you lived; if you lived in Canada at the time, the child's destination province stated in writing that it does not object
• Hague ConventionIf both countries apply the Hague Convention on Adoption, both authorities approved it in writing; if not, there is no evidence of child trafficking or undue gain
• Medical informationYou confirm in writing that you obtained information about the child's medical condition (IRPR s. 118)

A person adopted at 18 or older qualifies only if a genuine parent-child relationship existed before they turned 18 and the adoption was legal (IRPR s. 117(4)). You can also sponsor a child under 18 whom you plan to adopt in Canada, with your province's written statement of no objection (IRPR s. 117(1)(g)). Adopted children use a separate sponsorship package.

1. 1

   Confirm the child qualifies

   Check age, relationship and dependency on the lock-in date, and rule out Canadian citizenship.

2. 2

   Choose the application

   To sponsor only your child, list the child as principal applicant and complete the Additional Family Information form (IMM 5406). A parent or legal guardian signs for a child under 18.

3. 3

   Get custody and consent documents

   If the child is under 18 and the other parent is not immigrating, submit the Declaration From Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardian For Minors Immigrating to Canada with that parent's photo ID, or a letter of explanation if this is impossible, plus custody documents required for the child's country.

4. 4

   Submit online with fees

   Submit the sponsorship and permanent residence applications through the Permanent Residence Portal. IRCC returns incomplete applications.

5. 5

   Biometrics, medicals and checks

   After the acknowledgement of receipt, the child gives biometrics within 30 days of IRCC's letter and completes the medical exam and any police certificates IRCC requests.

6. 6

   Decision

   IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if needed, a permanent resident visa in the child's passport.

DNA testing. If documents are missing or doubtful, IRCC may offer a DNA test after trying other ways, such as an interview or a procedural fairness letter. The test is voluntary, but if you decline or miss the deadline in IRCC's letter, the officer decides on the evidence available. Only laboratories accredited by the Standards Council of Canada are accepted. You choose the lab and pay all costs, whatever the result. For a parent-child link, the lab usually tests the child and both parents.

Dependent children and adopted children do not pay the right of permanent residence fee. Medical exams, police certificates, translations and any DNA test are paid to third parties.

No income test applies to a dependent child who has no dependent children, or to a child you plan to adopt in Canada (IRPR s. 133(4)). If the child has a child of their own, you must show the minimum necessary income on the Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283). The Sponsor income requirements page has the tables.

In Quebec, an undertaking for a dependent child is exempt from Quebec's cap and intake schedule and can be submitted at any time, once IRCC tells you to. Processing times vary by country; check IRCC's processing times tool for your child's situation.

A missing consent declaration from the other parent does not always mean refusal, but the officer will review your explanation and may ask for more. A sponsor can appeal a refusal to the Immigration Appeal Division within 30 days after receiving it (IRPA s. 63(1)). A misrepresentation refusal can be appealed for a child (IRPA s. 64(3)).

The child travels with the COPR and any permanent resident visa before they expire, and a border services officer makes the final decision at the port of entry. They can later apply for citizenship once they meet the requirements.

Your undertaking starts on the day the child becomes a permanent resident and cannot be cancelled. A child under 22 does not sign the sponsorship agreement; a child 22 or older does. If the child receives social assistance during the period, you must repay it. Public health coverage may not start right away, so check your province's rules.