Dependent Child Sponsorship Canada lets eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their dependent children for permanent residence.
“Dependent child” usually means under 22 and not married or in a common‑law relationship; older children may qualify if they’ve relied on a parent due to a medical condition. Applications are filed online; fees start at $170 per child, and biometrics/medical exams may apply.
Snapshot
- Eligibility: You’re 18+ and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada (citizens abroad must show plans to return). Your child meets the IRCC definition of “dependent.”
- Key steps: Check eligibility → gather documents (IDs, birth/adoption records, custody/consent like IMM 5604) → apply online → pay fees → complete biometrics/medical exam → wait for a decision.
- Typical timeline: ~ 12 months. Always check the IRCC processing times tool for your situation.
- Core documents: Sponsor status proof, child’s birth/adoption papers, passport photos, custody/consent (IMM 5604) if a parent isn’t accompanying, and police certificates for applicants 18+ if requested
- Fees: $170 per child (sponsorship $85 + processing $85); biometrics $85 per person / $170 family; no RPRF for dependent children.
- Next step: Start your case review, we’ll map your checklist and timing based on your family’s facts.
Micro‑table: what happens when
✅ This isn’t legal advice; policies change. Check official sources or consult a licensed professional.
A small, real picture
Leila moved to Calgary for work. Her 7‑year‑old, Yusuf, lived with his dad abroad. With consent paperwork and a tidy file, Yusuf landed before grade three. New backpack. New snow boots. Big smile.
Who can sponsor a dependent child?
You can sponsor if you’re 18+, a Canadian citizen (including living abroad with plans to return), a permanent resident living in Canada, or registered under the Indian Act, and you meet IRCC’s other conditions.
Who qualifies as a “dependent child”?
- Under 22 and not married/common‑law, or
- 22+ if they’ve required financial support since before 22 and can’t support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.
Age lock‑in: IRCC “freezes” your child’s age on the date it receives your complete PR application, so turning 22 during processing doesn’t make them ineligible if they qualified on that date.
Need a quick check? Share your child’s age and status, and we’ll confirm if they meet the definition and flag any risks early.
Documents you’ll need for child sponsorship program
- Proof of status (sponsor): PR card, citizenship proof.
- Child’s proof: Birth certificate or adoption papers.
- Consent/custody (if applicable): IMM 5604 (Declaration from Non‑Accompanying Parent/Guardian) or court orders when only one parent is sponsoring.
- Police certificates: For applicants 18+, depending on program and history; follow your checklist/instructions.
- Photos & passports: Per IRCC specs.
Tip: Keep a single PDF per checklist item, labeled clearly (e.g., Child‑Birth‑Certificate.pdf). Small organization saves big time.
Fees and real‑world costs
- IRCC government fees (child‑only sponsorship): $170 per child ($85 sponsorship + $85 processing)
- Biometrics: $85 per person or $170 per family (if applying together).
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): Not required for dependent children.
- Third‑party costs: Medical exam (panel physician) and any translations, certified copies, or courier, budget a few hundred dollars.
- Processing time: IRCC’s tool shows current estimates; times vary by country and caseload.
How to apply (simple steps)
- Confirm eligibility. Make sure you (and your child) meet the rules.
- Create/Sign in to the PR Portal and follow the “Sponsor your spouse/partner/child” path.
- Upload forms and evidence per the checklists. Double‑check names and birthdates.
- Pay fees online and include the receipt.
- Respond fast to biometrics and medical requests.
- Track status and submit any extra documents IRCC asks for.
Helpful next step: Upload your document checklist, and we’ll review it before you hit “submit.”
Biometrics & medical exam: who, when, where?
- Biometrics: Most applicants aged 14–79 give fingerprints and a photo. Under 14 are exempt.
- Medical exam: All PR applicants (and some family members) must complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC‑approved panel physician.
Quebec residents: special rules (and a current cap)
If you live in Quebec, there’s an extra provincial undertaking step. IRCC will tell you when to submit it; don’t send it early. As of now, Quebec isn’t accepting new undertakings for spouses/partners and dependent children aged 18+ until June 25, 2026 (cap reached). Minors remain eligible. Always check the province’s page before applying.
What am I promising as a sponsor? (Undertaking)
When your child becomes a permanent resident, you commit to their basic needs (housing, food, non‑covered health care). The length of the undertaking for a dependent child under 22 is 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first. For a dependent child 22+, it’s 3 years. (Quebec differs.)
Do I need a minimum income?
Usually, no for a dependent child, unless your child has a child of their own, in which case a minimum income applies.
Not sure? Ask for a quick income check, and we’ll confirm whether the minimum applies to you.
FAQs
You can sponsor if you’re 18+ and a Canadian citizen (planning to live in Canada when your child becomes a PR) or a permanent resident living in Canada, and you meet IRCC’s other conditions.
A child under 22 who isn’t married/common‑law, or 22+ if they’ve been financially dependent since before 22 and can’t support themselves due to a physical or mental condition. Age is locked in on the date IRCC receives a complete PR application.
$170 per child (sponsorship $85 + processing $85). Biometrics are $85 per person / $170 family. No RPRF applies to dependent children.
Usually, no for a dependent child, unless your child has a child of their own; then you must meet the income requirement.
Most applicants aged 14–79 provide biometrics. All PR applicants must complete an immigration medical exam with a panel physician.
Timelines vary by case and visa office. Use IRCC’s processing‑times tool for current estimates; plan for around 12 months as a rough guide .
Quebec is not accepting new undertakings for spouses/partners and dependent children aged 18+ until June 25, 2026 (cap reached). Minors remain eligible. Follow Quebec instructions when IRCC tells you to submit the provincial undertaking.
