Bring Your Child Home.
Prepare a clear dependent child sponsorship application that aligns eligibility, parentage, custody, family declarations and admissibility from the beginning.
One Family. Different Cases.
The correct filing strategy depends on the child’s age, relationship status, parentage, custody, location and whether adoption is involved.
Child Under 22
The child is under 22 when the complete application is received and does not have a spouse or common-law partner.
Child Aged 22+
The child has depended financially on a parent since before 22 and cannot support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Child In Canada
Being physically in Canada does not itself create permanent status. Family Class, temporary status and filing logistics must be reviewed separately.
Adoption Involved
Adopted-child and international-adoption cases use a different application package and require separate legal and immigration analysis.
Which Child Route Applies?
Select the situation closest to your family. This tool provides planning direction, not an eligibility decision.
Confirm The Lock-In Date.
Confirm the child was under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship when IRCC received the complete application. Then align identity, parentage, custody and family declarations.
Confirm Both Sides First.
The application combines sponsor eligibility with the child’s eligibility for permanent residence and admissibility to Canada.
Who May Sponsor
The sponsor must generally be at least 18 and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act.
- Qualifying Canadian status
- Residence rules satisfied
- No applicable default or bar
Meet The Definition
Most children qualify through the under-22 test. Older children must meet both the longstanding support and medical-condition requirements.
- Correct age assessment
- Relationship status reviewed
- Dependency evidence where required
Prove The Family Link
Birth, identity, marriage, divorce, custody, name-change and related civil records must establish the legal relationship clearly.
- Parentage documented
- Names and dates aligned
- Translations properly prepared
Complete Every Examination
The child and relevant family members must complete required medical, background, biometric and document steps.
- Medical instructions followed
- Family members declared
- Requests answered on time
Build A Complete Family Record.
Use this private checklist to identify gaps before submission. The required evidence depends on the child’s actual family circumstances.
What Needs Review First?
Choose the situation closest to yours. The result identifies the first planning priority, not an approval prediction.
Move Through The Process Clearly.
Confirm eligibility, resolve custody and declarations, submit the sponsorship and permanent-residence applications, then respond carefully through finalization.
Confirm Eligibility
Test sponsor rules, the dependency definition, Family Class route and admissibility.
Align The Family Record
Organize identity, parentage, custody, consent and every child declaration.
Complete Both Files
Coordinate sponsor forms, the child’s PR forms, fees and country documents.
Track The Case
Monitor biometrics, medicals, document requests and final landing instructions.
Protect The Child’s Full Record.
Custody arrangements and non-accompanying family members can determine whether the application is complete and whether future family sponsorship remains possible.
Review the family record →Prove Who The Parents Are
Use civil records and legal documents that connect the sponsor, the child and any other parent without unexplained discrepancies.
Clarify Decision-Making Authority
Review court orders, separation agreements, consent requirements and whether the child may legally immigrate.
Declare And Examine
A child not immigrating now must still be declared and generally examined to preserve the integrity of the application and possible future options.
Audit What Was Disclosed
If the child was omitted or not examined before, obtain case-specific advice before assuming a new sponsorship can correct the record.
Support Continues After Approval.
Outside Quebec, the undertaking for a child under 22 generally lasts 10 years from the day the child becomes a permanent resident, or until age 25, whichever comes first. For a dependent child aged 22 or older, it is generally three years.
- Basic needs and uncovered health needs remain the sponsor’s responsibility.
- Social assistance received during the undertaking may have to be repaid.
- Changed family or financial circumstances do not automatically cancel it.
Get Clear Answers.
Understand age rules, older-child dependency, custody, adoption, medical examinations, income and sponsorship undertakings.
Discuss your application →A child generally qualifies if they are under 22 and do not have a spouse or common-law partner when IRCC receives the complete application. A separate exception may apply to certain children aged 22 or older.
They must have depended substantially on a parent for financial support since before age 22 and be unable to support themselves because of a mental or physical condition. Both requirements must be proven.
Adopted-child and international-adoption cases use a different sponsorship package. Adoption legality, provincial or territorial requirements and the child’s best interests require separate review.
The child must still be declared. Review custody orders, consent to immigration, decision-making authority and whether the child can complete required examinations.
Non-accompanying dependent children generally must be declared and examined. Failing to declare or examine a family member can create serious admissibility and future-sponsorship consequences.
Most dependent-child sponsorships do not have a formal minimum-income requirement. An income test can apply if the child being sponsored has a dependent child of their own.
Outside Quebec, it is generally 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first, for a child under 22; for a dependent child aged 22 or older, it is generally three years. Quebec rules differ.
No automatic temporary status is created by sponsorship. The child’s visitor, student or worker status and any extension or restoration needs must be managed separately from the permanent-residence case.
Prepare The Right Child Sponsorship File.
Get strategic guidance on dependency, sponsor eligibility, custody, declarations, medical requirements and the documents needed for a clear Family Class application.