Sponsorship of a child or another dependent person

Definition of a Dependent Child

Requirements for Sponsoring a Dependent Child

Sponsoring a Dependent Child in Quebec

Minimum Income Required for Sponsoring a Dependent Child

To be eligible for sponsorship, a child must meet the definition of a dependent child. Whether the child is biological or adopted by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they are considered dependent if they are unmarried and do not live in a common-law relationship, and if they are under 22 years old. A child over the age of 22 may also be considered dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being self-sufficient.

As with all family sponsorship categories, both the sponsor and the sponsored person must meet specific eligibility criteria for the child to obtain permanent residency. Parents wishing to sponsor their child must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Not be in prison, charged with a serious offense, or bankrupt.

Parents must also provide proof of their relationship with the child, such as birth or adoption certificates. Parents in the process of adoption can sponsor the child before the official finalization of the adoption. In addition to meeting the definition of a dependent child, the sponsored child must either be the biological or adopted child of the sponsor or their spouse.

If the Canadian sponsor resides in the province of Quebec, they must commit to financially supporting the family member they are sponsoring. The duration of this commitment varies according to the age of the dependent child:

• For a dependent child under 16 years old, the sponsor must commit to support them financially for 10 years or until the child turns 18, whichever period is longer.
• For a dependent child aged 16 or older, the sponsor must commit to support them financially for three years or until the child turns 25, whichever period is longer.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents sponsoring dependent children are not required to meet the minimum income requirement (MIR), provided that the dependent child is not themselves a parent of another child. However, if the sponsored dependent child has their own children, the sponsor must then meet the minimum income requirement based on the size of their family unit.

Family Sponsorship Assessment

If you wish to sponsor your spouse or children, or if you are considering being sponsored, we are here to help! Simply fill out our free sponsorship assessment form, and a member of the AMRIIS team will contact you to discuss the available options.