Sponsoring a child for immigration to Canada.
If a child qualifies as a dependent and the parent fulfills the criteria to act as a sponsor, the parent is eligible to submit an application for the child to obtain Canadian permanent residency.
Canada’s family class immigration program permits the sponsorship of children, spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, as well as parents and grandparents. This category represents approximately 25% of all new permanent residents welcomed into Canada annually.
In cases where a child is born in Canada or has a parent who is a Canadian citizen, there is a significant likelihood that the child is already a Canadian citizen. If you believe you or your child may fit this description, you can utilize Canada’s citizenship tool for verification.
To be eligible for sponsorship, both the sponsoring parent and the dependent child must satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To be eligible as a sponsor for a child seeking Canadian immigration:
To be eligible as a sponsor for a child seeking Canadian immigration, a parent must be at least 18 years of age and hold status as either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
All supports are required to commit to satisfying the fundamental needs of the person they expected to sponsor. Furthermore, sponsors must sign an undertaking, which obligates them to provide financial support to their sponsored family member once that individual attains permanent residency, as well as to reimburse any social help installments gotten by the supported family part amid the term of the undertaking.
There are specific circumstances that may render a parent ineligible to sponsor their child:
- If the parent was sponsored to obtain permanent residency in Canada less than five years before submitting a sponsorship application.
- If the parent does not plan to reside in Canada with the sponsored child after the child becomes a permanent resident.
- If the parent is a lasting inhabitant living exterior of Canada. (It is important to note that Canadian citizens can submit a sponsorship application regardless of their current country of residence, provided they intend to live in Canada with the sponsored relative once the application is approved.)
- If the parent is receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
- If the parent is incarcerated or has been convicted of specific criminal offenses, particularly those involving family members.
In general, the sponsoring parent is not required to provide proof of financial income. However, if the dependent child being sponsored has dependents of their own, the parent must meet a specified income threshold.
For those residing in Quebec and wishing to sponsor a child, it is essential to comply with Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements in addition to the criteria outlined in this document.
Super Visa:
There are instances where potential sponsors may find themselves unable or unwilling to pursue the Parent and Grandparent Program. This situation may arise if they have not received an invitation to apply or if they wish to expedite the arrival of their parent(s) or grandparent(s) to Canada.
Fortunately, an alternative exists. The IRCC permits the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to undertake extended visits to Canada through the Super Visa program. This visa allows individuals to be approved for a stay of up to two years upon their initial entry into Canada. The Super Visa itself is valid for a duration of up to 10 years, enabling holders to return to Canada as long as the visa remains in effect.
It is important to note that the Super Visa does not constitute a pathway to permanent residency. Applicants are required to secure private medical insurance and are not permitted to work in Canada unless they receive specific authorization. Nevertheless, the relatively swift processing times associated with this program enable families to reunite in Canada more quickly than they might under the Parent and Grandparent Program. Additionally, applicants are not required to wait for an invitation; if they meet the eligibility criteria, they may submit their application at any time and potentially gain approval to enter Canada.
Children: Criteria for Sponsorship in Canadian Immigration
To qualify for sponsorship under Canadian immigration, your child must align with the definition of a dependant as established by Canadian law. There are two criteria to set up this status:
- The child is under 22 years of age and does not have a spouse or common-law partner; or
- The child is 22 years or older and is unable to support themselves financially due to a mental or physical condition, having relied on their parents for financial assistance since before turning 22.
Furthermore, qualification for sponsorship requires that you are supporting your possessive child or the child of your life partner or partner. If you intend to sponsor a child who is not your own but is the child of your spouse or partner, you must also be sponsoring your spouse or partner concurrently. It is important to note that Canada has a distinct process for the sponsorship of adopted children.
To decide if your child qualifies for sponsorship, you may utilize the IRCC’s device outlined to evaluate a child’s status as a dependant.
All family individuals being supported must not be unacceptable to Canada. Applicants under the family class may be considered inadmissible due to previous criminal offenses or medical conditions that could jeopardize public health and safety in Canada.
Importantly, family members who are sponsored are exempt from being deemed medically inadmissible solely on the basis of imposing excessive demand on the Canadian healthcare system. This means that if a sponsored family member has a medical condition that necessitates expensive treatment, they will not be denied immigration on those grounds.
The process of applying to sponsor a child for Canadian immigration:
The process of applying to sponsor a child for Canadian immigration consists of two main elements. Initially, the applicant must demonstrate that they fulfill the necessary qualifications to act as a sponsor. Subsequently, the applicant must establish that the child qualifies for sponsorship for Canadian permanent residency.
To assist in the application process, potential sponsors can refer to IRCC’s Guide 5525, which provides comprehensive information regarding the family sponsorship application.
It is important to recognize that family sponsorship applications are subject to specific requirements based on the applicant’s country. To ascertain these requirements, applicants should consult the IRCC’s family sponsorship application package page. By entering their information, IRCC will produce the relevant checklists, forms, and instructions related to the sponsorship of the child.
Family sponsorship applications must be submitted in paper format. The application should be compiled in a single envelope and sent to IRCC via mail or courier. The fee for sponsoring a child is CAD $150, and the processing time may vary depending on the child’s country of residence.
Regarding the concepts of inland and outland sponsorship for children, while IRCC does not officially categorize applications in this manner, these terms are often associated with spousal sponsorship. An inland application pertains to a situation where the sponsored individual is currently in Canada, whereas an outland application refers to a case where the sponsored individual is outside of Canada.
However, these distinctions do not apply to child sponsorship for Canadian immigration, as all applications for child sponsorship are processed at a visa office located in Canada.
Family Sponsorship and Express Entry:
It is important to note that Express Entry, along with various other economic immigration categories in Canada, permits parents and children to apply for permanent residency concurrently. This implies that individuals who meet the criteria for an Express Entry-aligned program can include their spouse or partner, as well as any dependent children, in their initial application.
In numerous instances, this provision eliminates the necessity of sponsoring family members at a later stage, thereby facilitating the ability for families to remain united. However, prospective applicants must first establish an Express Entry profile and obtain an invitation to apply in order to gain admission to Canada through this program.
FAQ's
If a child qualifies as a dependent and the parent fulfills the criteria to act as a sponsor, the parent is eligible to submit an application for the child to obtain Canadian permanent residency.
Canada’s family class immigration program permits the sponsorship of children, spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, as well as parents and grandparents. This category represents approximately 25% of all new permanent residents welcomed into Canada annually.
There are instances where potential sponsors may find themselves unable or unwilling to pursue the Parent and Grandparent Program. This situation may arise if they have not received an invitation to apply or if they wish to expedite the arrival of their parent(s) or grandparent(s) to Canada.
