In short: a dependent child is generally a child who is under 22 years of age and does not have a spouse or common-law partner, and what matters most is the child's age on the day IRCC receives your complete application (the "lock-in" date), not the day permanent residence is granted. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor dependent children for permanent residence as part of the Family Class under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). A child can be sponsored as the principal applicant or included as an accompanying dependant on a parent's or spouse's application. This guide explains who qualifies under IRPR, how the lock-in age rule works, what happens when a child turns 22 mid-processing, the rules for adopted children, custody and consent issues, and the current government fees, so you can avoid the surprises that most often derail a child sponsorship. This is educational information, not legal advice; a licensed immigration lawyer or a College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) regulated consultant can advise on your specific situation.
Definition of "Dependent Child" Under IRPR
Under IRPR s.2, a dependent child is defined as a child who:
- ✓ Is under 22 years of age; AND
- ✓ Does not have a spouse or common-law partner
OR a child who is 22 years of age or older AND:
- ✓ Has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before age 22; AND
- ✓ Is unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition
Key point: A child who is under 22 but is married or in a common-law partnership is not a dependent child for Canadian immigration purposes, even if they are otherwise financially dependent on the parent.
The Lock-In Age Rule: Critical for Applications
The lock-in date is one of the most important concepts in dependent child sponsorship. It is the date on which a child's age is assessed for eligibility, and it is not the date permanent residence is granted.
The lock-in date is generally the date IRCC receives a complete application. As long as the child is under 22 on this date and has no spouse or partner:
- ✓ Because their age is locked in on the date IRCC receives the complete application, the child can remain eligible even if they turn 22 while the application is being processed
- ✗ Only age is locked in. The child must continue to meet the other requirements (including having no spouse or common-law partner) until IRCC finishes processing. Per IRCC, if the child marries or enters a common-law relationship after the lock-in date, they generally become ineligible
- ✗ If the child was 22 or older on the lock-in date, they cannot be included as a dependent child (unless the physical/mental condition exception applies)
Practical tip: If your child is approaching age 22, submit the application as early and as completely as possible. Processing times can be lengthy, a complete, well-prepared application ensures the lock-in date is as early as possible.
What Happens If a Child Turns 22 During Processing?
This is a common concern for families with older dependent children. The answer depends on whether the lock-in date was established:
- ✓Child was under 22 when IRCC received the complete application: The lock-in date protects the child's eligibility. They can turn 22 (or older) during processing and still be approved as a dependent.
- ✗Application was incomplete at submission: IRCC may use the date the application was completed, which could be after the child's 22nd birthday. Ensure all required documents are included at submission to establish the earliest possible lock-in date.
- ✗Child was already 22 at submission: They cannot be included as a dependent child unless the physical or mental condition exception applies.
Adopted Children
Adopted children can be sponsored to Canada, but the rules vary depending on whether the adoption is already complete and how old the child is. An adopted child can be sponsored as a dependent child (subject to the same age rule, generally under 22 and without a spouse or partner) or, separately, as a child you adopted, or are adopting, abroad while the child is under 18. There is no single flat "under 18" rule for every adopted child; the route, and the age that applies, depends on the facts. Across all routes, IRPR s.117 requires that the adoption be genuine, legally valid in the child's country, and created a real parent-child relationship, and not entered into mainly to gain status or privilege under the Act.
Adoption abroad (completed adoption)
If the adoption was legally completed in the child's country of origin and is recognized under the law of your province or territory, the child may be sponsored as a dependent child or as a member of the Family Class. What this means for you: a genuine adoption that an officer is satisfied was not arranged primarily for immigration, and that created a true parent-child bond, is what an officer looks for under IRPR s.117.
- ✓ Adoption must be legally valid in the country of origin
- ✓ Adoption must not be for the primary purpose of acquiring immigration status
- ✓ The child-parent relationship must be genuine
- ✓ Hague Convention adoption requirements apply in many countries
Adoption in Canada
If you are sponsoring a child for adoption in Canada (the adoption has not yet occurred), you must first obtain approval from the province or territory where you live. Provincial approval is required before IRCC will process the child's immigration application.
Adoption law and procedures are complex and vary by province. Consult an immigration lawyer and a family law practitioner before proceeding with international adoption and immigration sponsorship.
Children of a Sponsored Spouse
When sponsoring a spouse or partner, you can include their dependent children in the same application. The child becomes an accompanying dependent.
- ✓ The child does not need to be your biological or adopted child, they can be your spouse's children from a previous relationship
- ✓ Same age rules apply: child must be under 22 and without a spouse or partner at the lock-in date
- ✓ Non-accompanying dependent children must still be declared and listed, even if not immigrating
Non-accompanying dependants: Under IRPR, you must declare all dependent children at the time of application, even those who will not be immigrating with you. Failure to disclose a dependent child can, under the general rule, result in that child later being excluded from the family class and generally unable to be sponsored to Canada (the "one chance" rule under IRPR s.117(9)(d)). Always disclose all dependent children, even if they are staying behind, and confirm your situation with IRCC or a licensed representative.
Custody and Access Issues
Custody and access arrangements can complicate child immigration sponsorships. Key considerations:
- ✓ If the child's other parent has legal custody or shared custody, IRCC will generally require evidence that the other parent consents to the child immigrating to Canada
- ✓ A court order granting sole custody to the sponsor may be required if the other parent does not consent
- ✓ Immigration cannot be used to circumvent custody orders, sponsors must comply with all applicable family law orders
- ✓ Abducting or relocating a child without the other parent's consent may violate custody orders and could result in serious legal consequences
If you are sponsoring a child who has two legal parents and only one is applying, consult a family law lawyer in addition to an immigration lawyer before filing.
Sponsor Eligibility
To sponsor a dependent child, you must:
- ✓ Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- ✓ Be at least 18 years old
- ✓ Reside in Canada or intend to reside in Canada when the sponsored child arrives (for citizens abroad)
- ✓ Not be in default on any previously signed undertaking
- ✓ Not be receiving social assistance (with exceptions for disability)
- ✓ No minimum income requirement applies when sponsoring only a dependent child (unlike sponsoring parents/grandparents)
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Build Document ChecklistGovernment Fees for Child Sponsorship (2026)
Government of Canada fees increased on April 30, 2026. The amounts below reflect the current IRCC fee list for sponsoring a dependent child. Always confirm the exact figures on IRCC before you pay, because fees can change and your situation may include other components:
- • Sponsoring a dependent child (sponsorship fee plus processing fee combined): $180 CAD
- • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $600 CAD per adult, but the RPRF does NOT apply to dependent children, so a sponsored child generally does not pay it
- • Biometrics: $85 CAD per person, to a maximum of $170 CAD per family (children under 14 are generally exempt from giving biometrics)
- • A child sponsored as the principal applicant and a child included on a parent or spouse application are each billed at the same $180 CAD combined rate
These are government fees only and do not include third-party costs such as the immigration medical exam, translations, or police certificates. Use the Fee Calculator to estimate the total government fees for your circumstances, and verify current amounts on IRCC before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is 21 and getting married next year. Can I still sponsor them?+
Yes, as long as your application is complete and submitted to IRCC before the child either turns 22 OR gets married. Note that only age is locked in: the child must remain without a spouse or common-law partner until IRCC finishes processing. Per IRCC, if the child marries or enters a common-law relationship after the lock-in date, they generally become ineligible, so submit your application promptly.
My child turned 22 last month. Is there any option to bring them to Canada?+
If your child turned 22 before your application was submitted (or before the lock-in date was established), they no longer qualify as a dependent child. However, they may qualify through other immigration pathways such as Express Entry, a study permit, or a work permit, depending on their qualifications.
Can I sponsor my stepchild?+
Yes. A stepchild qualifies as a dependent child for sponsorship purposes as long as the legal relationship exists and the child meets the age and marital status requirements. The step-relationship must be legally recognized.
I forgot to declare one of my children on my spouse sponsorship application. What happens?+
This is serious. Under IRPR s.117(9)(d), a non-accompanying dependent who was not examined and declared at the time of an immigration application may, as a general rule, later be excluded from the family class and generally barred from being sponsored to Canada. If you discover an oversight, contact IRCC or an immigration lawyer to determine how it applies to your situation.
Does my child need their own medical exam for the sponsorship application?+
Yes. All persons seeking permanent residence in Canada, including sponsored children, must complete an immigration medical exam performed by an IRCC panel physician. A child cannot generally be approved for permanent residence without one.
What is the current age limit to sponsor a dependent child to Canada?+
The general rule under IRPR is that a dependent child must be under 22 years of age and have no spouse or common-law partner. The age is assessed on the lock-in date, which is generally the date IRCC receives your complete application. A child who is 22 or older can still qualify if they have depended substantially on a parent's financial support since before age 22 because of a physical or mental condition. Confirm the current rule on IRCC before you apply, as eligibility ultimately rests with an officer.
Is there an income requirement to sponsor only a dependent child?+
Generally no. Unlike sponsoring parents or grandparents, sponsoring only a dependent child does not have a minimum income (LICO) requirement in most cases. You must still sign an undertaking to support the child financially and meet the other sponsor eligibility rules, such as not being in default on a previous undertaking and not receiving social assistance except for a disability. Verify your specific situation on IRCC, because a different test can apply if you are sponsoring a child along with a spouse or other relatives.
How much does it cost to sponsor a dependent child in 2026?+
After the April 30, 2026 fee increase, the IRCC fee list shows $180 CAD to sponsor a dependent child, which combines the sponsorship fee and the processing fee. Biometrics are $85 CAD per person (maximum $170 CAD per family), and children under 14 are generally exempt from giving biometrics. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $600 CAD does not apply to dependent children. These are government fees only; confirm the current amounts on IRCC before paying.
My adopted child is 19. Can I still sponsor them?+
Possibly. An adopted child can be sponsored as a dependent child if they meet the general dependent-child rule (typically under 22 and without a spouse or common-law partner). The separate "adopted abroad while under 18" route is a different pathway with its own conditions. In every case, IRPR s.117 requires a genuine adoption that is legally valid in the child's country and was not arranged mainly for immigration, and Hague Convention countries add steps. Because adoption and immigration law are complex and vary by province, speak with an immigration lawyer and a family-law practitioner.
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Build Document ChecklistOfficial sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.