Sponsor a dependent child for permanent residence
Official name: Family class sponsorship: dependent child
A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act, aged 18 or older, can sponsor their dependent child for permanent residence. A dependent child is generally under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship; a child 22 or older can qualify if they have depended on the parent financially since before 22 and cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition. In most cases there is no income requirement, unless the child has children of their own. The sponsor signs an undertaking to support the child.
3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
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What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Biological or adopted dependent children of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians.
Eligibility
Who can sponsorSponsor
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need to be at least 18, living in Canada, and a citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act.
- Citizens living abroad must show they plan to live in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident
- Permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor
Official wording
At least 18; a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act; living in Canada. Citizens living abroad must show they plan to live in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident; permanent residents living outside Canada cannot sponsor.
Who counts as a dependent childChild
Sign in to check this route against your profileYour child must be your biological or adopted child and meet the age or dependency conditions.
Age rules for a dependent child
- Under 22not a spouse or partner
- Under 22
- 22 or olderdependent since before 22
- 22 or older
- Defined in Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (s. 2)
- Biological child must not be adopted by someone other than the parent's spouse or partner
- Child 22 or older must be unable to self-support due to a physical or mental condition
Official wording
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (s. 2), the child must be the parent's biological child (not adopted by someone other than the parent's spouse or partner) or adopted child, and either under 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner, or 22 or older, financially dependent on the parent since before 22, and unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.
Income: usually not requiredSponsor
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou usually do not need to show income to sponsor a dependent child.
- Income is required only if the child has dependent children of their own
Official wording
In most cases there is no income requirement to sponsor a dependent child. The sponsor must show enough income only if the dependent child has one or more dependent children of their own.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 4 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 2 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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