Dependent Child Sponsorship

The Canadian government places a strong emphasis on keeping families united, which is why they offer programs that allow Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent or adopted children to join them in Canada. Family sponsorship applications are prioritized at Canadian Visa Offices to help families reunite as quickly as possible. Both the sponsor (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) and the child (residing abroad) must meet eligibility requirements as assessed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Upon approval, the sponsored child will be issued a visa to travel to and live in Canada. 

Eligibility Criteria: Dependent Children

For a child to qualify as a dependent under Canada’s sponsorship program, they must meet specific criteria:

• Age: The child must be under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship.

• Exceptions for Over-Age Dependents: Children over 22 may still qualify if they have depended on their parents for financial support before turning 22 and are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.

Requirements for Sponsoring a Dependent or Adopted Child

To be eligible to sponsor a dependent or adopted child, sponsors must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (if residing outside Canada, they must return to Canada when the child gains permanent residency).

• Be at least 18 years of age.

• Reside in Canada (when the child arrives).

Exclusions: Certain factors may disqualify an individual from sponsorship, including:

• Failure to fulfill a previous sponsorship commitment.

• Default on court-ordered payments such as alimony or child support.

• Conviction of certain violent criminal offenses, depending on the nature and timing of the offense and any record suspensions granted.

Financial Requirements: Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)

Typically, sponsors are not required to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold when sponsoring dependent children, provided the child does not have children of their own. If the child has dependents of their own, the sponsor must meet the MNI based on their household size.

Sponsorship for Inter-country Adoption

For those sponsoring adopted children from another country, the adoption process generally takes place in the child’s country of origin. Adoption laws and requirements vary by country, and some may allow only in-country adoptions. If you are adopting a child who is biologically related to you, special rules may apply based on the province or territory in Canada and the child’s home country.

For Canadian immigration purposes, all international adoptions must:

• Be legal in the child’s home country and comply with the laws of your province or territory in Canada.

• Terminate the child’s legal relationship with their biological parents.

• Comply with provincial or territorial requirements, including a home study.

• Establish a genuine parent-child relationship with the child.

• Be in the best interests of the child.

• Not be primarily to secure permanent residency for the child.

Requirements for the Hague Convention and Non-Hague Adoption Cases

Canada adheres to the Hague Convention to ensure that international adoptions prioritize the child’s best interests and uphold human rights standards. For countries participating in the Hague Convention:

• The authorities in both the child’s home country and Canada must approve the adoption.

• Safeguards are established to prevent illegal or inappropriate adoptions and to protect the rights of children and families.

Private adoptions are not permitted under the Hague Convention. Canadian provincial and territorial laws fully implement the Hague Convention's standards, which also guide adoptions from countries that do not participate in the Convention.

Medical Requirements for Sponsored Children

Before receiving a permanent resident visa, adopted children must complete a medical examination. Your provincial or territorial adoption agency will guide you on how and when this medical evaluation should occur. Additionally, sponsors must sign a declaration confirming that they are aware of any medical conditions the adopted child may have.

Government Fee

·   Sponsorship fee ($85.00 CAD per child)

·   Processing fee  ($85.00 CAD per child)

·   Biometric fee ($85.00 CAD): If dependent child is 14 years or older