A dependent child is an unmarried, non-common-law child under 22 years old, or an older child with a condition that prevents self-support.

To sponsor a dependent child, parents must:

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Not be incarcerated, facing serious criminal charges, or bankrupt.

Sponsors must also provide proof of their relationship to the child through documents such as birth or adoption certificates. Parents may sponsor an adopted child before finalizing the adoption. The child must be either the biological or adopted child of the sponsor or their spouse.

In Quebec, sponsors must commit to a financial undertaking based on the child’s age:

• For children under 16, the support commitment is for 10 years or until the child turns 18, whichever is longer.
• For children aged 16 or older, the commitment is for three years or until the child turns 25, whichever is longer.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents sponsoring a dependent child are not required to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) if the child has no dependent children of their own. However, if the dependent child does have children, the sponsor must meet the MNI based on the total family size.

To ensure a swift processing of your sponsorship application, it is essential to submit it correctly from the beginning. The team at HMD is experienced in handling spousal sponsorship cases and can assist you throughout the process. Find out how HMD can support you in bringing your loved ones to Canada by completing our free online assessment.

We offer high-quality Canadian immigration services, delivered by some of the top immigration family sponsorship lawyers in Canada. With a meticulous, detail-driven approach, we ensure that every case is handled with precision, leaving nothing to chance. This commitment to excellence is the key to our success and our proven track record of successful outcomes for clients. Our services are accessible online from anywhere, at competitive rates, with no hidden fees. We proudly serve clients across Canada and around the world, including in: