September 19, 2025
Sponsoring Your Child for Canadian Permanent Residence – A Complete Guide
As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your dependent child for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. This pathway allows families to reunite and build their lives together in a safe, supportive environment.
At MyWorld Immigration, we help parents understand the rules, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step process of sponsoring their child for Canadian immigration.
This guide covers everything you need to know—from who can sponsor, to the undertaking commitment, to the application process.
Who Can Sponsor a Dependent Child?
To sponsor your child, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
- Live in Canada (or plan to return once your child becomes a PR).
- Demonstrate the financial ability to support your child (if applicable).
Note:
- Canadian citizens may sponsor their child even while living abroad, but permanent residents must live in Canada to apply.
- There is no minimum income requirement if your dependent child does not have children of their own. If your child has dependents, you’ll need to meet the minimum income level shown in the Financial Evaluation form (IMM 1283).
Who Cannot Sponsor a Child?
Even if you meet the above criteria, certain situations may make you ineligible to sponsor your child. These include:
- Having an existing sponsorship application for the same child still in process.
- Defaulting on past immigration loans, family support payments, or performance bonds.
- Failing to meet financial commitments under a previous sponsorship undertaking.
- Being in bankruptcy (not yet discharged).
- Receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.
- Having a serious criminal conviction (violent or sexual crimes).
- Serving a prison sentence or being subject to a removal order from Canada.
Quebec residents should note: Some restrictions differ under Quebec’s sponsorship rules.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child?
To be eligible for sponsorship, the child must meet the IRCC definition of a dependent:
- Be under 22 years old, unmarried, and not in a common-law relationship.
- If over 22, the child may still qualify if:
- They cannot financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition, and
- They have been financially dependent on their parents since before turning 22.
Dependency status must remain valid until the application is fully processed.
The Sponsorship Undertaking
When you sponsor your child, you sign a legally binding agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This agreement commits you to:
- Provide for your child’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, health not covered by provincial healthcare).
- Ensure your child does not require social assistance during the undertaking period. If they do, you must repay the government.
Length of Sponsorship Commitment:
- Under 22 years of age: 10 years or until the child turns 25 (whichever comes first).
- 22 years or older: 3 years.
Important: You cannot withdraw your sponsorship once your child becomes a permanent resident.
How to Apply for Child Sponsorship
The application process involves two parts submitted together through the IRCC PR Portal:
- Sponsorship Application – You apply to be approved as a sponsor.
- Permanent Residence Application – Your child applies for PR.
General Steps:
- Get the application package (includes forms, instructions, and a personalized checklist).
- Collect all required documents (proof of relationship, financial details, consent from the other parent/legal guardian, police certificates if applicable).
- Complete and validate forms online in the PR Portal.
- Pay the government fees:
- Sponsorship fee: $85
- Processing fee: $85
- Biometrics fee (if applicable, for dependents 14+): $85
- Additional $175 fee if the sponsored child has a dependent of their own.
- Submit the application online.
- Provide additional documents if IRCC requests them.
Processing times vary depending on your child’s country of residence.
Sponsoring a Child in Quebec
Quebec operates under a separate immigration system with unique rules:
- Applicants must be approved by both IRCC and the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
- Quebec has different undertaking periods and income assessment requirements.
- Currently, Quebec is not accepting applications for dependent children aged 18 and older until June 25, 2026, due to reaching its cap. Some exceptions may apply.
How MyWorld Immigration Can Help
At MyWorld Immigration, we understand how important family reunification is. Our experienced consultants help parents navigate complex sponsorship rules and ensure applications are filed correctly the first time.
Our Services Include:
- ✅ Guidance on child sponsorship applications (federal and Quebec).
- ✅ Assistance with document preparation and legal requirements.
- ✅ Support with Express Entry, PNP, and PR pathways for your family.
- ✅ End-to-end immigration consulting services for a smooth process.
Reuniting families is at the heart of what we do.
Final Thoughts
Sponsoring your child for Canadian permanent residence is one of the most rewarding immigration programs available, but it requires careful preparation and compliance with IRCC rules.
With the right support, you can bring your child to Canada and secure their future in one of the world’s most welcoming countries.
WhatsApp: +1-672-399-0000
Website: www.myworldimmigration.com
Email: info@myworldimmigration.com
Instagram: @myworldimmigration