If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your dependent child for permanent residence in Canada. This allows your child to live, study, and work in Canada as a permanent resident.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child?
To be considered a dependent child, the applicant must:
- Be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship
- If 22 years or older, they must be financially dependent on their parents due to a physical or mental condition
Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor
To sponsor a dependent child, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Live in Canada (or prove intent to return if living abroad)
- Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability benefits)
- Not have been convicted of certain crimes, including violent or sexual offenses
Financial Requirements
- There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring a dependent child
- The sponsor must show proof of financial ability to support the child’s basic needs
Required Documents for Sponsorship
- Completed sponsorship application forms
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate, adoption papers, or legal guardianship documents)
- Identity documents (passports, national ID cards)
- Police clearance certificate (for the child if they are 18 or older)
- Medical exam results (for the child)
- Proof of financial support (bank statements, tax records, or employment letters)
Application Process
- Check eligibility of both sponsor and child.
- Complete the application forms for sponsorship and permanent residence.
- Pay the application fees (processing, biometrics, and right of permanent residence fee).
- Submit the application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Wait for processing and provide additional documents if requested.
- Complete medical and background checks for the child.
- Receive the final decision and, if approved, obtain permanent residence for the child.
Processing Time
- 6 to 12 months (may vary based on country and case complexity)