Child Sponsorship

The family sponsorship program in Canada allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are parents of a child living abroad to apply to sponsor their child or another dependent for Canadian permanent residency. This program helps in reuniting families by enabling children to join their parents in Canada.

Dependent Child

A dependent child is defined as a child who meets the following criteria:

• Age: The child must be under 22 years of age.

• Marital Status: The child must not be married or in a common-law relationship.

• Biological or Adoptive Relationship: The child must be the biological or adoptive child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• If a child is above the age of 22 but has a physical or mental impairment that renders them unable to support themselves financially, they may still be considered a dependent for the purpose of sponsorship.

Requirements for Dependent Child Sponsorship

• Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status: The sponsoring parent must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

• Age of Majority: The sponsoring parent must be at least 18 years old, which is the age of majority in Canada.

• Eligibility: The sponsoring parent must not be incarcerated, facing significant criminal charges, or have filed for bankruptcy.

• Documentation of Relationship: The sponsoring parent will need to provide documentation proving their relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate or adoption certificate. The child must be the biological child of the sponsor or the sponsor’s spouse, or the sponsor’s adopted child.

Sponsorship of Dependent Children Minimum Required Income

• The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income to support the sponsored dependent child.

• Minimum required income varies based on family size and number of dependents.

• Dependent children sponsorship exempts the financial undertaking requirement.

• No repayment of social assistance is required for sponsoring dependent children.

• Income criteria are directly linked to family size and number of dependents.

• Varied application processes and income requirements may exist; check official IRCC resources.

Inability to Sponsor their child

• Residing Outside of Canada: If a parent is a permanent resident of Canada but is currently living outside the country, they may not be eligible to sponsor their child. Permanent residents are required to reside in Canada in order to sponsor a child from another country. However, in some cases, if the child is born outside of Canada, they can obtain a visitor visa (TRV) to return to Canada with the permanent resident parent and be sponsored from within the country. Canadian citizens residing abroad can still apply for child sponsorship, but they must demonstrate their intention to live in Canada with the sponsored child once the application is approved.

• Receiving Social Assistance: Parents who are receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability may be ineligible to sponsor their child. This requirement aims to ensure that the sponsor has the financial means to support the child without relying on government assistance.

• Criminal History: If a parent has a criminal record or has been imprisoned, especially for offences against relatives, they may be deemed ineligible to sponsor their child. This precaution is taken to safeguard the well-being of the child and ensure that they are placed in a safe and stable environment.

Automatic Canadian Citizenship for Foreign-Born Children of Canadian Citizens

• Children born to Canadian citizens outside of Canada are automatically considered Canadian citizens. They need to apply for a citizenship certificate, which our firm can assist with.

Adoption Children

• Children adopted outside of Canada, or those to be adopted upon arrival in Canada, can be sponsored for permanent residence or apply for Canadian citizenship. The adoption must meet legal requirements in both countries. Immigration authorities ensure the adoption is genuine and in the child’s best interests, with consent from biological parents.

Sponsoring an Orphaned Child of a Close Relative

• Orphans under 18, unmarried, and related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can be sponsored if both parents are deceased. This sponsorship allows the orphan to come to Canada and be cared for by their Canadian relative.

Quebec’s Dependent Child Sponsorship

• If the sponsor resides in Quebec, there are additional requirements and procedures specific to the province. The sponsor must obtain authorization from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) before sponsoring a dependent child.

FAQs

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