The Government of Canada is strongly committed to keeping families together and, as such, allows parents to sponsor their dependent children for Canadian immigration. If a child meets the definition of a dependant and the parent meets the requirements to be a sponsor, then the parent can submit an application for the child to become a Canadian permanent resident.

Canada’s family class immigration allows the sponsorship of children, spouses, common-law/conjugal partners, and even parents and grandparents. Family class accounts for more than one in four of the new permanent residents admitted to Canada each year.

If a child was born in Canada, or if one of the child’s parents is a Canadian citizen, then there is a strong possibility that the child is already a Canadian citizen. If you think you or your child might meet this criteria, you can use Canada’s citizenship tool to check.

In order to qualify for sponsorship, both the sponsoring parent and the dependent child must meet the eligibility requirements listed below, as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Requirements

• Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Sign an undertaking for 3 years for spouse and 3-10 years for Child that you will provide and meet the basic requirement of person of people you are sponsoring.
• Live in Canada or if you are a citizen, then you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a Permanent Resident
• Satisfy Quebec specific laws regarding sponsorship if you live in Quebec.
• There is no requirement of Low Income Cut Off -LICO in case of spouse and children but if you are sponsoring a child having a minor child then you must meet LICO.

You cannot be a sponsor if you:

• Was previously sponsored by a spouse or common law partner and became a Permanent Resident less than five years ago.
• Have previously sponsored a spouse or common law partner and three years have not passed since this person has become a Permanent Resident.
• Receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability.
• Are in default of a previous sponsorship undertakings if any.
• Have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner or child and a decision has not yet been made.
• Are bankrupt or in the process of a bankruptcy proceeding.
• Are under a removal order.
• Are or were convicted of a violent or sexual offence or are currently in jail.