Dependent child sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their biological or adopted children to become Canadian permanent residents. It is processed under the Family Class and shares the same core legal framework as spousal sponsorship, but with distinct rules reflecting the parent-child relationship. Unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program, dependent child sponsorship has no income threshold requirement, no lottery, and does not require a specific minimum income — making it one of the more accessible family class pathways.

The definition of ‘dependent child’ under IRCC’s regulations is specific: a child must be under 22 years of age at the time of the application, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship. Children 22 or older may qualify as dependants only if they have continuously depended on a parent for financial support due to a physical or mental condition since before they turned 22. Biological children, adopted children, and in some cases stepchildren (where a genuine parent-child relationship exists) can be sponsored.

Eligibility Requirements

• Can sponsor biological or adopted dependent children under 22 who are unmarried and not in common-law relationships
• Children 22+ may qualify if they have depended on financial support due to a physical or mental condition since before age 22
• Sponsor must be Canadian citizen or PR
• Child must be admissible (medical, security checks)
• For adopted children: adoption must be finalized before or after immigration (two distinct processes)
• Sponsor must not be subject to a removal order

Eligibility — Sponsor and Child Requirements

Sponsor eligibility mirrors other family class programs: the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and not subject to a removal order, not in receipt of social assistance (except disability), not currently incarcerated, and not in default of a prior sponsorship undertaking.

For adopted children, two distinct processes apply depending on whether the adoption occurred before or after the immigration process. Children adopted abroad (inter-country adoption) must have a finalised legal adoption from the child’s country of origin and meet Canadian recognition requirements. The adoption must not have been entered into primarily to gain PR status for the child — genuine parent-child intent is assessed. For prospective adoptive parents who have not yet finalised the adoption, IRCC also offers a process to facilitate adoption from abroad.

Children born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen parent may also qualify for citizenship by descent (a separate process from sponsorship). If citizenship is established, sponsorship is unnecessary. VGIS can assess whether citizenship by descent applies before advising on sponsorship.

Application Process and Fees

Government fees for dependent child sponsorship are notably lower than other programs: $170 per child sponsored (covering the sponsorship and processing fees; the RPRF does not apply to dependent children). Biometrics are $85 per child if applicable by nationality.

Processing times as of March 2026 vary: approximately 13 months for children already in Canada; approximately 8 months for children in India; approximately 19 months for children in Nigeria. Times vary significantly by country of origin.

1. Confirm sponsor eligibility and child’s dependent definition status.
2. Gather relationship documentation — birth certificate, adoption order, or other proof of legal parent-child relationship.
3. Complete IRCC forms — IMM 1344 (Sponsorship Application) and IMM 0008 (Generic Application) for the child.
4. Obtain medical examination for the child from a designated physician.
5. Police clearances for children aged 18 or older.
6. Custody documents if there are shared custody or court orders affecting the child.
7. Submit application and pay fees. Include biometrics if applicable.

Book a paid consultation with VGIS for child sponsorship guidance, including adoption immigration and custody documentation review, with Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$170 per child (sponsorship + processing; no RPRF for dependent children)
Biometrics	$85 per child (if applicable)

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Child’s birth certificate or adoption order
• Sponsor’s proof of citizenship or PR status
• Police clearances (for children 18+)
• Medical examination
• Custody documents (if applicable)
• Biometrics (if applicable by nationality)

Frequently Asked Questions

My child is 21 — can I still sponsor them before they turn 22?

Yes. What matters is that the child is under 22 at the time the complete sponsorship application is submitted to IRCC. If your child is approaching 22, time is critical — the application must be submitted before their birthday. Once submitted, IRCC typically locks in the age for dependency purposes. Contact VGIS immediately if your child’s 22nd birthday is approaching, as the timeline for preparation and submission is very tight.

Can I sponsor a child I adopted abroad?

Yes, provided the adoption was finalised according to the laws of the child’s country and meets Canadian recognition criteria. IRCC also assesses whether the adoption was genuine — not primarily for immigration purposes. Inter-country adoption sponsorship requires the adoption order or court decree, proof of the adoption process, and documentation showing the genuine parent-child relationship. Some countries have bilateral adoption agreements with Canada that simplify the process.

Is there an income requirement to sponsor my child?

No. Unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program, there is no minimum income requirement (MNI or LICO) for sponsoring a dependent child. The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance (except for disability) and must not be bankrupt, but there is no income threshold that must be demonstrated. This makes dependent child sponsorship considerably more accessible than PGP.

My child is turning 22 during IRCC processing — will they lose PR eligibility?

Generally, no. IRCC’s policy locks in the child’s dependent status at the time the complete application is received. If your child was under 22 when the application was submitted and IRCC accepted it, aging out during processing does not disqualify them. However, if the original application was incomplete and IRCC requested additional documents that were submitted after the child turned 22, the status may be assessed differently. Submitting a complete application at the outset is important.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

📬 Get Immigration Updates

Express Entry draws, IRCC policy changes, and program news — delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

---

Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.