While in most cases the dependent child would immigrate with their parent at the time the spouse/partner is being sponsored, there can be instances where the child is not able to come along.
As a result of those circumstances, the dependent child (both natural and adopted) living abroad can be sponsored at a later time. The sponsor and the sponsored person (the dependent child) will be required to prove their relationship to one another.
Dependent children sponsored through the Family Class obtain permanent residence status and all its benefits including the right to study and work in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements
Requirements for the Sponsor:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be either a Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen
- Cannot be bankrupt, under a removal order, in prison, or charged with a serious offence
Requirements for the Sponsored Person (must be one of the following):
- Less than 22 years old and not a spouse or common-law partner
- Is 22 years old or older and is financially dependent on the parent(s) since before the age of 22 while being unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition
Nature of the relationship:
- The sponsored person must either be the biological child of the parent if the child has not been adopted by a person other than the spouse/common-law partner; or
- The sponsored person is the adopted child of the parent that is sponsored him/her