Sponsoring a
dependent child

Who is a dependent child?

According to IRCC:

• a child under 22 who is not married and does not have a common-law partner;
• a child aged 22 or older who cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition, and who has depended on a parent for most of their financial support without interruption since turning 22.

Custody and adoption

• Custody: if the parents are separated, documents (custody, consent of the other parent) may be requested depending on the file;
• Adoption: the rules vary depending on the adoption. An international adoption may follow a separate process: we review your situation before choosing the approach.

In Québec

• IRCC: the sponsorship and permanent residence application is filed with IRCC first;
• MIFI: the sponsor who lives in Québec then submits an undertaking application to the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration, after IRCC's notice. The MIFI then issues the child's Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ);
• Québec adds its own requirements: for example, the adoption must be a full adoption completed before settling in Québec, and the consent of the parent with parental authority is required if a child under 18 is not travelling with you.

How we can help

Pro Immigration can help you:

• check whether your child meets the definition of a dependent child;
• review special cases: custody, separation, adoption;
• gather the evidence and documents for the file;
• prepare the application, and the MIFI undertaking in Québec;
• file the application, follow it and respond to IRCC's requests.

We cannot guarantee that the application will be approved, or a processing time.