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Canadian Immigration Law Firm

What is a dependent child?

Those who immigrate to Canada are permitted, and encouraged to bring their family with them when they immigrate to Canada (spouse and children). However, in circumstances where the child or children of a sponsor are living outside Canada, they may qualify to immigrate to Canada under the family class sponsorship program as a dependent child of the sponsor. This also applies to the child or children of the person that will be sponsored. If you need assistance, contact our Canadian immigration law firm.

In order to sponsor a child or children under this program, both the sponsor and the sponsored child (the dependent) must be approved by the Canadian government. Upon successful sponsorship, the child or children will receive unconditional Canadian permanent residency, giving them the right to work or study in Canada. An individual is considered a dependent child if he or she:

  • is under the age of 22 and is not married or in a common-law relationship;

  • is over the age of 22 and has been continuously enrolled in full-time studies and has been financial dependent on the support provided by a parent since before the age of 22;

  • became a spouse or common-law partner before the age of 22 but is continuously enrolled as a full-time student and has also been financially dependent on the support of a parent since becoming a spouse or common-law partner;

  • is over the age of 22 but has been financially dependent on the support of a parent since before the age of 22, due to a physical or mental condition

Other Eligible Relatives

A Canadian citizen permanent resident may also sponsor other relatives such as:

  • adopted children

  • an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece, granddaughter, grandson who are under 18 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship

  • other family members may be eligible under exceptional circumstances.