Because the Canadian government is devoted to keeping families together, parents can sponsor their dependent children for Canadian immigration. If a child satisfies the definition of a dependant and the parent meets the sponsoring conditions, the parent can apply for the child to become a permanent resident of Canada. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to sponsor a child for immigration to Canada.
Sponsoring a Child For Canadian Immigration
Those who immigrate to Canada are actively encouraged to bring their families with them, especially their children. Therefore, if a sponsor’s child or children live outside of Canada, they may be eligible to immigrate to Canada as a dependent child of the sponsor through the family class sponsorship program.
Both the sponsor and the sponsored child (the dependent) must be approved by the Canadian government in order to sponsor a child or children under this program. If the sponsorship is successful, the child or children will be granted unconditional Canadian permanent residency, allowing them to work and study in Canada.
What Counts As A Dependent Child?
A person is deemed a dependent if he or she meets the following criteria:
- Is aged under 22, and is not in a common-law relationship nor married
- Is aged above 22, and:
- has been continuously enrolled in their studies full-time, and
- has been financially dependent on their parents since before they reached the age of 22
- Became a common-law partner or spouse before they reach 22 years of age but is also:
- a continuously enrolled full-time student, and
- has been financially dependent on their parents since becoming a common-law partner or spouse
- Over 22 years of age, but has been financially dependent on their parents due to a physical or mental condition
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can also sponsor other relatives, like:
- adopted children
- orphaned relatives under the age of 18 and are not in common-law relationships or married, including:
- brothers,
- sisters,
- nephews,
- nieces,
- granddaughters, and
- grandsons
- other family members that meet eligibility under special circumstances
Am I Eligible To Sponsor A Child For Canadian Immigration?
In order for you to qualify as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years of age and be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
If you wish to sponsor a child, you must agree and commit to providing the basic needs of whoever you want to sponsor.
On top of that, you must sign an undertaking, which means that:
- you agree to financially support your sponsored family member as soon as they become a permanent resident, and
- repay any social assistance payments that they received during the duration of the undertaking.
Steps to sponsor a child for immigration to Canada
Step 1. Get the Application Package which includes a document checklist, the forms you’ll need to fill out, and a step-by-step guide
Step 2. Pay the Online Application Fees. This includes the processing fees, right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), biometrics fee, and any other third-party fees
Step 3. Submit your application by following the submission steps in the application guide
Step 4. If prompted, your child will be asked to provide biometrics, pass a medical test or obtain a police certificate
When Am I Not Qualified To Sponsor A Child?
There are some scenarios when you may be ineligible to sponsor a child, such as:
- if you have been sponsored to become a permanent resident of Canada for less than five years before you apply to sponsor a child,
- if you do not plan to reside in Canada with the child once they gain permanent residency,
- if you are receiving social assistance for any reason other than a disability,
- if you are incarcerated or have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, especially those committed against relatives
- if you reside outside of Canada, even though you are a permanent resident of the country.
Take note that Canadian citizens can file for sponsorship regardless of their country of residence, but they should intent to live in Canada with their sponsored relative as soon as their application pushes through.
In most circumstances, the sponsoring parent is not required to provide evidence of financial income. If the dependent child being sponsored has children of their own, the sponsoring parent will be required to meet particular income criteria.
If you are currently living in Quebec and want to sponsor a child, take note that you must meet all of Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements on top of all the other requirements listed here.
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