Sponsoring Dependent Children for Canadian Permanent Residence

If you are a Canadian citizen and your child was born outside Canada, your child may already be a Canadian citizen. Children born abroad to a Canadian parent who was born or naturalized in Canada are citizens by descent. Since Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025, many children and grandchildren born abroad before that date are citizens too.

A child who is already a citizen does not need sponsorship. Instead, apply for a citizenship certificate and then a Canadian passport. Sponsoring a child who is already a citizen wastes time and money.

A child qualifies as a dependent child if, on the day IRCC receives your complete application, they are:

• Under 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner, or
• 22 or older, have depended on your financial support since before age 22, and cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.

The age is "locked in" on the date your complete application is received. If your child turns 22 during processing, they still qualify.

Biological and adopted children can qualify. For adoptions, there are separate processes (immigration or a direct citizenship grant), and IRCC checks that the adoption was genuine and legal. Children of your spouse or partner can be included in a spousal sponsorship; see spousal sponsorship.

You must be at least 18 and a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act. Permanent residents must live in Canada. Canadian citizens living abroad can sponsor a dependent child if they will live in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident.

You cannot sponsor if, for example, you are in default on a previous undertaking, support payments, or an immigration loan, are in prison, or have certain criminal convictions. The full list is in IRCC's sponsorship guide.

There is no minimum income requirement, unless the child you sponsor has a dependent child of their own.

You sign a promise to support the child financially and repay any provincial social assistance they receive during the undertaking period:

In Quebec, you also sign an undertaking with the Quebec government, which sets its own length and rules. See the Quebec hub.

When you became a permanent resident, IRCC asked you to list all your family members, including children who were not coming with you, and to have them examined (medical and background checks). If you did not declare a child, or the child was not examined, you usually cannot sponsor that child later. This rule applies even if you left the child out by mistake.

If this applies to you, do not apply without advice. There may be limited options, such as a humanitarian and compassionate application. Talk to a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC).

• The child's birth certificate naming the parents.
• Proof of your status in Canada.
• Custody and consent: if the child is under 18 and the other parent is not coming to Canada, you need proof you have legal custody and, usually, the other parent's written consent or a court order.
• Adoption papers, if applicable.
• Medical exams and biometrics for the child. Police certificates are needed for children 18 and older.
• For a child 22 or older: medical evidence of the condition and proof of your financial support since before age 22.

IRCC may ask for DNA testing if documents do not clearly prove the relationship. It must be done through an accredited lab listed by IRCC.

Processing times depend on where the child lives. Check the IRCC processing times tool or our processing times page.

Fees include a sponsorship fee and a processing fee for the child. Dependent children do not pay the right of permanent residence fee. Check current amounts on the IRCC fee list.