Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor dependent children for permanent residence as part of the Family Class immigration program under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Children can be sponsored as the primary applicant or as accompanying dependants on a parent's immigration application. Understanding who qualifies as a "dependent child" under IRPR — and the critical age rules — is essential to avoid surprises during the application process.
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:
- ✓ The child remains eligible to be included in the application even if they turn 22 before IRCC makes a decision
- ✓ The child may marry or enter a common-law relationship after the lock-in date and remain eligible
- ✗ 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 completed before or after the sponsorship application.
Adoption abroad (completed adoption)
If the adoption was legally completed in the child's country of origin and recognized under provincial law, the child may be sponsored as a dependent child or as a member of the Family Class.
- ✓ 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 result in that child being permanently unable to be sponsored to Canada later (the "one chance" rule under IRPR s.117(9)(d)). Always disclose all dependent children, even if they are staying behind.
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)
Build your document checklist
Get a complete list of required documents for sponsoring a dependent child to Canada.
Build Document ChecklistGovernment Fees for Child Sponsorship
- • Sponsorship application fee: $75 CAD per sponsor
- • Principal applicant (child) processing fee: $150 CAD
- • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 CAD (not required for dependent children)
- • Biometrics: $85 CAD per person (for applicable ages)
Use the Fee Calculator to estimate the total government fees for your specific situation.
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. A child who is under 22 but acquires a spouse or common-law partner AFTER the lock-in date can still be processed. 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 declared at the time of an immigration application may be permanently barred from being sponsored to Canada. If you discover an oversight, contact IRCC or an immigration lawyer immediately to determine if it can be corrected.
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 a designated IRCC physician.
🛠 Useful tools
Document Checklist and Fee Calculator for your child sponsorship application.
Your Next Step
Build your document checklist and calculate your government fees to prepare your dependent child sponsorship application.
Build Document ChecklistImportant: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.