Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet certain conditions can sponsor their dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor Their Dependent Children?
Sponsors must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Canadian citizens living outside Canada must show they plan to live in Canada when the sponsored person(s) become permanent residents.
- Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot be sponsors.
- Be able to prove they are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- Be able to provide for the basic needs of those being sponsored.
To sponsor a dependent child, the sponsor must be financially responsible for the sponsored person(s).
| Person you sponsor | Length of undertaking |
| Dependent child (biological or adopted) or child to be adopted in Canada under 22 years of age. | 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child 22 years of age or older | 3 years |
This includes providing financial support and repaying any social assistance received by the sponsored person(s) in that time.
The sponsor and the sponsored person(s) must also undertake a sponsorship agreement meaning:
- The sponsor will provide for the basic need of the sponsored person(s).
- The sponsored person(s) will try to support themselves and any family members.
Income Requirement
In most cases, there is no income requirement to sponsor a dependent child.
Sponsors only need to show they meet income requirements if sponsoring a dependent child that has 1 or more dependent children of their own.
Who Can Be Sponsored?
To qualify as dependents, children must:
- Be under 22 years old.
- Not have a spouse or common-law partner.
To qualify as dependents, children 22 years old or older must:
- Be unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.
- Have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22.
If they qualify as a dependent, candidates can sponsor their:
- Own child.
- Spouse or partner and their child.
To sponsor a dependent child, candidates must submit an application under the Family Class. These applications are processed outside Canada.