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Sponsor a Child for PR in Canada 2026
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Sponsor a Child for PR in Canada 2026

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Adding a dependent child to a spousal sponsorship (Family Class) application can be straightforward – if you follow IRCC’s rules closely. This guide walks you through who qualifies as a dependent child, how the under-22 rule and exceptions work, and how IRCC’s age “lock-in” can protect children from aging out—as long as IRCC receives a complete application.

You’ll also learn the practical differences between accompanying vs. non-accompanying dependents and why IRCC requires you to declare all family members, even if they won’t immigrate to Canada right now. To protect future reunification options, IRCC may still require non-accompanying family members to complete an immigration medical exam. Finally, the guide explains sponsor responsibilities, including when income requirements apply (most cases: they don’t) and what the undertaking means for dependent children.

Sponsoring a dependent child through a spousal sponsorship application requires careful preparation to avoid delays, returned applications, or refusal risks. Our licensed Canadian immigration consultants provide end-to-end support – from confirming your child’s eligibility and lock-in timing to preparing custody/consent documentation and submitting a complete, well-organized application package. From 2023 to 2025, we successfully supported 1000+ family-based immigration applicants (including Spousal Open Work Permit cases). Book a consultation with our team for tailored advice, or explore our service fees to learn more.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child?

Age rule & exceptions

For Canadian family sponsorship, IRCC generally considers a child a dependent child if they are under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship.

This can also extend to the next generation: Canada’s immigration regulations include a “dependent child of a dependent child” (often described as a grandchild) as a family member – meaning if your dependent child has their own dependent child, that child may be included if they also meet the dependent definition.

If your son or daughter is 22 or older, they may still qualify, but only in a narrow situation. IRCC requires both of the following:

  • they have depended on their parents for financial support since before turning 22, and
  • they can’t financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition.

In these cases, you’ll usually need medical evidence and supporting documentation to show the condition and the long-term dependency (for example, documentation from a healthcare professional and proof of ongoing financial support).

Historical note: the dependent-child age limit changed on October 24, 2017 from “under 19” to “under 22.”

Age “lock-in”

In Canadian family sponsorship, IRCC uses an “age lock-in” rule so a child doesn’t become ineligible just because processing takes time. In simple terms, IRCC freezes your child’s age on a specific date and assesses them based on that age, not the day the application is finalized.

When is the Lock-in Date? For most Family Class applications, the lock-in date is the day IRCC receives your complete permanent residence application.

The “Completeness” Trap 

This rule only works if your application is perfect. If IRCC returns your application because it is missing a document, a signature, or the correct fee, you lose your lock-in date. If your child turns 22 before you can fix and resubmit the package, they could “age out” and lose their eligibility.

The One Thing That Doesn’t Freeze 

While the lock-in rule helps with age, it does not freeze the child’s marital status. Your child must remain single (not married or in a common-law relationship) throughout the entire time the application is being processed.

Note: If your application was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, older rules may apply. However, for all new applications in 2026, the ‘under 22’ standard is the rule.

Relationship Proof

When you include a dependent child in a spousal sponsorship application, IRCC looks closely at proof of the parent–child relationship. In general, a dependent child can be your biological child or your adopted child (or your spouse/partner’s). IRCC also makes it clear that the applicant has the responsibility (“onus”) to provide evidence of identity and relationships.

What IRCC means by “biological child” (including assisted reproduction)

“Biological child” includes the straightforward case (a child born to the parent in the application). It can also cover assisted reproduction situations. IRCC guidance explains that a “biological child” can include a child who:

  • is not genetically related to the parent making the application,
  • was born through assisted human reproductive technologies, and
  • was born to the parent making the application or to the person who, at the time of birth, was that parent’s spouse/common-law partner/conjugal partner.

Proof is usually a birth certificate. In assisted reproduction cases, IRCC may require authorized evidence showing the circumstances (for example, evidence identifying the birth mother and/or the spouse/partner at the time of birth, plus evidence that assisted reproduction was used).

In some countries, IRCC checklists may also accept a baptismal certificate as supporting evidence (especially where late birth registration is an issue).

Surrogacy note (important): IRCC guidance indicates that if a child was born through a surrogacy arrangement, the child is generally considered the legal child of the surrogate mother who gave birth until a later process (such as adoption) creates a legal parent–child relationship.

Stepchild

If you’re including your spouse/partner’s child, you typically prove:

  1. your relationship to your spouse/partner, and
  2. that the child is your spouse/partner’s biological or adopted child.

Adopted child (use the correct IRCC kit)

IRCC specifically notes that if you’re sponsoring an adopted child (or a child you will adopt in Canada), you should use the adopted children and other relatives application kit rather than the standard spouse/partner/dependent child kit. 

Marital Requirements

To qualify as a dependent child under IRCC rules, it’s not enough to meet the age test—your child also has to be “single” in immigration terms. For most applications, IRCC treats a child as a dependent only if they are under 22 and don’t have a spouse or partner.

What counts as a “partner” here matters. IRCC considers someone a common-law partner if they’ve lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months (with only short, temporary breaks). That means the issue usually isn’t “dating” or “engagement”—it’s whether the child becomes legally married or starts a common-law relationship.

Engagement is a common question. Being engaged doesn’t change a child’s marital status under IRCC definitions, but marriage does, and 12 months of cohabitation in a marriage-like relationship does. Practically: your child can be engaged, but they must not marry or become common-law before becoming a permanent resident.

Timing is also critical. IRCC guidance explains that (aside from age lock-in rules) dependents must continue meeting the requirements through processing, and older IRCC program guidance is explicit that a dependent child must still be not married or common-law at visa issuance and when they arrive at the port of entry. In plain language: the “must be single” requirement doesn’t end when the visa/COPR is issued – it remains in effect until the child lands in Canada and becomes a permanent resident. 

If you’re unsure, IRCC has an official tool to check whether your child qualifies as a dependent. 

Sponsor Eligibility & Income Requirements

Income Requirements

For spousal sponsorship applications that include a dependent child, IRCC’s rule is straightforward: in most cases, there is no minimum income requirement you need to meet.

However, IRCC sets out an important exception that many families miss. You do need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold if either of these applies:

  • you’re sponsoring a dependent child who has 1 or more dependent children of their own (for example, a dependent child with a child—often described as a grandchild), or
  • you’re sponsoring a spouse/partner who has a dependent child, and that dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own.

When MNI applies, IRCC states it’s based on Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), and the required income depends on your family size. In that scenario, IRCC also instructs sponsors to include a Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283) with the application (your document checklist will reflect this).

Even when there’s no formal income threshold, IRCC still expects sponsors to be able to provide for basic needs and to ensure the sponsored family members won’t need to rely on social assistance. 

Sponsorship Obligations

When you sponsor a spouse/partner and include a dependent child, you sign an undertaking—a binding promise to financially support the people you’re sponsoring for a set period of time.

What you’re committing to

IRCC explains that the undertaking means you will:

  • financially support your sponsored family members for the undertaking period, and
  • make sure they don’t need social assistance; if they receive it while you’re responsible for them, you may have to repay it, and you may be blocked from sponsoring others until it’s repaid.

IRCC also describes the basic needs you agree to provide, such as food, clothing, shelter, and health needs not covered by public health services.

How long the undertaking lasts (outside Quebec)

The undertaking period starts when the person you sponsor becomes a permanent resident.

  • Dependent child under 22: 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first
  • Dependent child 22 or older: 3 years

IRCC notes Quebec has its own undertaking rules and durations, so Quebec residents must follow Quebec’s process.

It can’t be shortened after PR is granted

Once your sponsored family members become permanent residents, IRCC states there is no way to cancel or shorten the undertaking period. You remain responsible even if circumstances change (for example, citizenship, relocation, relationship changes, or financial hardship). 

“Accompanying” vs “Non-Accompanying” Child

accompanying Meaning

In IRCC terms, an accompanying family member is a spouse/partner or dependent child (including a dependent child of a dependent child) who plans to immigrate to Canada with the principal applicant and is included on the permanent residence application.

IRCC also uses “accompanying” to describe family members who are processed for permanent residence as part of the same case. In internal definitions, an accompanying family member is generally someone who receives their visa at the same time as the principal applicant, and they can’t become a permanent resident before the principal applicant.

If your child is marked as accompanying, it means IRCC will assess and process them as part of the file to become a permanent resident (either traveling with the principal applicant or, in some situations, following later—depending on how the application is finalized and the instructions you receive). 

Declaring all children

A key rule in Canadian immigration is that you should declare all family members, including children, even if they are not immigrating to Canada with you. The reason is simple: IRCC needs the full family picture to process your application correctly, and non-accompanying family members may still have to be assessed for admissibility.

This matters because IRCC’s program guidance warns that family members who are not declared and examined can become excluded from the family class and may not be eligible to be sponsored later under the regulations.

IRCC also has a public policy pathway for certain “undeclared family” situations, but it’s limited and doesn’t apply in every case – so the safest approach is to declare all children from the start. 

Medical examination

IRCC requires an immigration medical exam (IME) for permanent residence applicants – and importantly, IRCC states that your family members must also complete a medical exam even if they are not coming with you.

IRCC explains the practical reason clearly: dependants need to be found admissible in order to remain eligible to be sponsored in the future. If a dependent child is not examined when required, it can create long-term barriers later (including being treated as an excluded family member under the rules described in IRCC guidance).

If your child is listed as non-accompanying, the medical exam step can feel confusing – especially in custody situations – but from IRCC’s perspective it’s a core safeguard: it allows IRCC to assess admissibility now and helps protect the option to reunite the family through sponsorship later. 

Custody, Consent, and Permission to Immigrate

Custody documents

For spousal sponsorship applications that include a dependent child, IRCC’s rule is straightforward: in most cases, there is no minimum income requirement you need to meet.

However, IRCC sets out an important exception that many families miss. You do need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold if either of these applies:

  • you’re sponsoring a dependent child who has 1 or more dependent children of their own (for example, a dependent child with a child—often described as a grandchild), or
  • you’re sponsoring a spouse/partner who has a dependent child, and that dependent child has 1 or more dependent children of their own.

When MNI applies, IRCC states it’s based on Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), and the required income depends on your family size. In that scenario, IRCC also instructs sponsors to include a Financial Evaluation (IMM 1283) with the application (your document checklist will reflect this).

Even when there’s no formal income threshold, IRCC still expects sponsors to be able to provide for basic needs and to ensure the sponsored family members won’t need to rely on social assistance. 

Sponsorship Obligations

A consent (authorization) letter is a practical travel document that shows a child has permission to travel when one parent/guardian is not accompanying them. The Government of Canada explains that a consent letter demonstrates a child has permission to travel outside Canada from every parent/guardian not travelling with them.

For immigration and travel contexts, Canadian authorities commonly expect you to carry:

  • a copy of the child’s birth certificate,
  • a letter of authorization signed by the non-travelling parent (ideally in English or French), and
  • a copy of the non-accompanying parent’s signed passport or national ID.

A strong consent letter typically includes: the child’s full name and birthdate, travel dates and destination, the accompanying parent/adult’s details, and the non-accompanying parent’s contact information (address/phone/email).

Important distinction: for PR processing where a minor is immigrating without both parents, IRCC often uses IMM 5604 (a declaration by the non-accompanying parent/guardian), which must be witnessed by a notary public.

 

IRCC Application Process

Document Checklist Requirements

For spousal sponsorship applications that include dependent children, IRCC expects you to follow the official application package checklist(s)—because the required documents depend on your situation (in-Canada vs outside Canada), the child’s country of residence, and whether there are special circumstances (like custody). IRCC’s “How to apply” page specifically directs applicants to use the application package for the document checklist for you and the people you’re sponsoring, plus any country-specific instructions.

The standard checklist most people use for this pathway is IMM 5533: Document Checklist – Spouse (Including Dependent Children). If you’re sponsoring a dependent child as a principal applicant (child sponsorship on its own), IRCC also has IMM 5534: Document Checklist – Dependent Child.

Best practice to mention on your page: submit clear copies (IRCC notes they generally accept copies, but you should keep originals in case they ask later), and treat the checklist like a “must-have” compliance list—missing items can trigger delays or returns.

IRCC Processing Time

IRCC processing times change often, so the most accurate approach is to direct readers to IRCC’s official Check processing times tool. IRCC explains that the displayed processing time is an estimate of how long it would take if they received an application today, based on their inventory and capacity—and it includes the time needed to give biometrics.

IRCC also clarifies an important detail: processing time starts the day they receive a complete application and ends when a decision is made. This is useful context for families adding a child, because completeness (correct forms, signatures, fees, and supporting documents) can affect whether your file moves forward smoothly.

On your webpage, it’s also worth noting that timelines can vary by factors such as the applicant’s location, document complexity (for example, custody situations), and whether IRCC requests additional information.

IRCC Application Fees

IRCC publishes a single official fee list for sponsorship. For spouse/partner sponsorship, the full set is listed as $1,205 CAD (sponsorship fee + processing fee + right of permanent residence fee), and IRCC also lists a lower total without the right of permanent residence fee.

If you’re adding a dependent child to the same application with your spouse/partner, IRCC lists an additional fee of $175 CAD per child (“Include any dependent child on an application with your spouse or partner”).

You may also need to budget for biometrics fees (if required) and other third-party costs (translations, police certificates where applicable, medical exams). IRCC’s fee list and online payment portal are the best references for the government fees themselves.

Application Status Tracker

After you apply, IRCC offers several ways to follow progress. IRCC’s “After you apply” guidance for sponsoring a spouse/partner/child says applicants can create an IRCC secure account and link their application (paper or online) once IRCC has started processing and the applicant has an application number.

IRCC also provides the Application Status Tracker for family class PR applications (including spouse/partner and dependent child categories). In addition, the older Client Application Status (ECAS) tool is still available for status checks using identifiers like UCI or application number.

A helpful line to include on your page: you generally won’t be able to track anything until you receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) and an application number, because that’s when IRCC’s systems can recognize and link the file.

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