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Sponsorship for Children and Other Dependents

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by Kathy Watkins

Sponsoring Your Child for Immigration to Canada: A Guide

At Immigration to Canada, we provide all the essential details you need to sponsor your child for immigration. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with dependent or adopted children living overseas, you can bring them to Canada through the Family Class Sponsorship program.

This straightforward process ensures that family reunification is achievable, giving you peace of mind. Our detailed guide will help you navigate the steps involved, ensuring a smooth journey for your child’s immigration to Canada. 

Child or Other Dependent - Immigration to Canada

Understanding Dependent Child Sponsorship for Immigration

The primary goal of dependent child sponsorship, facilitated through the Family Class sponsorship scheme, is to reunite family members living in different countries, enabling them to live together in Canada. This immigration program specifically helps Canadian citizens and permanent residents bring their children from other countries to Canada as permanent residents.

Whether the dependent children are biological or adopted, they can be sponsored to join their parent(s) and live as permanent residents in Canada.

At Immigration to Canada, we specialize in guiding families through this process to ensure successful reunification.

Eligibility Requirements for Sponsoring Your Child to Canada

At Immigration to Canada, we are dedicated to helping you bring your loved ones to our beautiful country. If you want to sponsor your child to come to Canada, you must meet certain criteria:

Age Requirement:

You must be at least 18 years old.

Financial Capability:

You need to be financially capable of supporting your basic needs, those of your dependent children, and your spouse if applicable.

Clean Criminal Record:

You should not have a criminal record.

No Sponsorship Default:

You should not be in default of any previous sponsorship commitments.

Income Stability:

You should not be receiving income assistance, except for situations involving disabilities.

Residency Status:

You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident living in Canada, planning to return to Canada, or a person registered under the Indian Act of Canada.

Proof of Relationship:

You must be able to prove your relationship with your child.

No Serious Offences:

You must not be in prison, charged with a serious offence, or bankrupt.

No Immigration Investigations:

You should not be under immigration investigation.

Determining Your Child's Eligibility for Sponsorship

To qualify for child sponsorship under the Immigration to Canada program, the child must meet specific dependency criteria. These include: 

Additionally, children over the age of 22 can also be considered as dependents if they:

Requirements for Sponsoring a Child Through Immigration to Canada

At Immigration to Canada, we understand the importance of bringing families together. To sponsor a child, you’ll need to meet specific requirements outlined by Canadian immigration law.

Commitment as a Sponsor

Sponsors must sign a formal agreement called an “undertaking,” which binds them to provide for the child’s essential needs. These needs include:

Duration of Sponsorship Commitment

For biological or adopted children under 22 years old, the sponsorship commitment lasts for 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first. For dependent children aged 22 or older, the undertaking period is 3 years.

Child or Other Dependent - Immigration to Canada

How to Sponsor a Child for Immigration to Canada

At Immigration to Canada, we guide you through sponsoring a child for immigration. The process involves four key steps:

Step 1: Gather the Application Package
Visit the government website to download the application package. This package contains all necessary forms and a detailed guide to help you through the process.

Step 2: Pay the Required Fees Online
Fees include the application processing fee, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, the biometric fee, and any applicable third-party fees. Be sure to pay these fees online as part of your application process.

Step 3: Submit Your Completed Application
Carefully follow the instructions in the application guide to submit your completed application. Ensure all forms are correctly filled out and signed.

Step 4: Provide Supporting Documents
When requested by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), submit all required supporting documents promptly to avoid any delays in the processing of your application.

How Does Sponsoring a Child Differ in Quebec?

Sponsoring a child in Quebec involves specific immigration procedures unique to the province. If you live in Quebec, you’ll need to complete steps at both the federal and provincial levels. First, file an application with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Then, you must also apply through the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

Residents of Quebec must obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) and sign an undertaking agreement with the province. This agreement binds you as the sponsor to meet the essential needs of the sponsored child and, if needed, repay the government for any social assistance the child receives during the sponsorship period.

Life After Sponsorship in Canada

When children are sponsored through the Family Class for immigration, they obtain Canadian permanent residency. With this status, they gain the right to live, study, and work in Canada, enjoying all the benefits that come with it.

As a trusted immigration service provider, “Immigration to Canada” is here to guide you through every step of the sponsorship process, ensuring a smooth transition for you and your loved ones.

FAQ
Who qualifies as a "dependent child"?

In order to be considered a dependent child for permanent residence in Canada, the child must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship. Children over 22 can still qualify if they have relied on you for financial support since before turning 22 and are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.

Will I need to prove my eligibility to sponsor my child?

Yes, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria. Your dependent child, and any children they may have, must submit all necessary forms and documents with their application. IRCC may request additional information or documents during the application process, such as medical examinations and biometric data.

Can I sponsor a child who is over the age limit for dependants?

Yes, but this is only possible if the child has:

  • Relied on you for financial support since before turning 22, and
  • Is unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Will my child be ineligible if they turn 22 during processing?

No, it does not. IRCC "locks" the information in the application to remain consistent throughout the processing period, regardless of how long it takes. The "lock date" for your child's age in Family Class applications is the date when IRCC receives your complete application for permanent residence.

How can I avoid delays in my child’s sponsorship application?

To prevent delays in processing, make sure all your contact information and application details are current, accurate, and complete. Report any changes in your living situation or contact information to IRCC immediately.

Do I need to sponsor my child born outside Canada?

If at least one parent (legal parent at birth or biological parent) was born in Canada or became a Canadian citizen before the child's birth, your child may already be a Canadian citizen. However, if your adopted child was born outside Canada, they are not automatically a Canadian citizen. To confirm your child's status, you can apply for a citizenship certificate.

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