Family Sponsorship Immigration For Dependent Children

 Canadian citizens or permanent residents who meet certain conditions can sponsor their dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada.

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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

• Dependent child (biological or adopted) or child to be adopted in Canada under 22 years of age.

• Dependent child 22 years of age or older

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Length of undertaking

• 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first

• 3 years

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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.

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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.

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To sponsor a dependent child, candidates must apply under the Family Class. These applications are processed outside Canada.