October 6, 2025
Sponsoring Your Child for Canadian Permanent Residence – A Complete 2025 Guide
As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your dependent child for permanent residence (PR) in Canada. This program allows families to reunite and build their lives together in a safe and supportive environment.
At Career Wings Immigration, we help parents understand the rules, eligibility, and step-by-step process of sponsoring their children for Canadian immigration.
Who Can Sponsor a Dependent Child
To sponsor your child, you must meet the following requirements:
• Be 18 years 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 permanent resident
• Demonstrate the financial ability to support your child (if applicable)
Important Notes:
• Canadian citizens can sponsor their children even while living abroad, but permanent residents must reside in Canada.
• No minimum income is required if the dependent child does not have children of their own. If the child has dependents, minimum income requirements apply under the Financial Evaluation Form IMM 1283.
Who Cannot Sponsor a Child
You may be ineligible to sponsor your child if:
• You have an existing sponsorship application for the same child still being processed
• You have defaulted on immigration loans, family support payments, or previous sponsorship undertakings
• You are an undischarged bankrupt
• You are receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability
• You have serious criminal convictions (such as violent or sexual offenses)
• You are under a removal order or currently incarcerated
Note for Quebec residents: Sponsorship rules differ under Quebec’s immigration system.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child
Your child must meet IRCC’s definition of a dependent:
• Under 22 years old: Unmarried and not in a common-law relationship
• Over 22 years old: Must be financially dependent on you due to a mental or physical condition and have been dependent since before turning 22
The child must continue to meet dependency requirements until the application is finalized.
The Sponsorship Undertaking
When sponsoring your child, you sign a legally binding agreement with IRCC to provide for your child’s basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare not covered by provincial insurance.
You must also ensure your child does not require social assistance during the undertaking period—or repay the government if they do.
Length of Sponsorship Commitment:
• Child under 22: 10 years or until they turn 25 (whichever comes first)
• Child 22 or older: 3 years
Once your child becomes a permanent resident, the sponsorship cannot be withdrawn.
How to Apply for Child Sponsorship
Applications are submitted online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal and include two parts:
- Sponsorship Application – for approval as a sponsor
- Permanent Residence Application – for the child
Steps to apply:
- Download the application package (forms, instructions, checklist).
- Collect required documents such as proof of relationship, financial details, and parental consent.
- Complete and validate forms online through the PR Portal.
- Pay the required government fees:
- Sponsorship fee: $85
- Processing fee: $85
- Biometrics fee (if applicable for dependents 14+): $85
- Additional $175 if the child has dependents
- Submit the completed application online.
- Provide any additional documents if requested by IRCC.
Processing times vary depending on the child’s country of residence.
Sponsoring a Child in Quebec
Quebec has its own immigration system and procedures. To sponsor a child in Quebec:
• You must receive approval from both IRCC and MIFI (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration).
• Undertaking periods and income requirements differ from federal rules.
• Quebec has temporarily paused applications for dependent children aged 18 and above until June 25, 2026, due to reaching its intake cap (exceptions may apply).
How Career Wings Immigration Can Help
At Career Wings Immigration, we provide expert assistance for both federal and Quebec child sponsorship programs:
• Step-by-step guidance on eligibility and documentation
• Application preparation and review for accuracy and compliance
• Support with Express Entry, PNP, and PR pathways for family reunification
• Comprehensive immigration consulting for smooth and stress-free processing
Reuniting families is at the heart of what we do.
Final Thoughts
Sponsoring your child for Canadian permanent residence is a meaningful and rewarding process—but it requires careful preparation and attention to detail. With the right guidance, you can bring your child to Canada and secure their future in one of the world’s most supportive and family-friendly countries.
Contact Career Wings Immigration Today
WhatsApp: +1-778-881-6000
Website: www.careerwingsimmigration.com
Email: info@careerwingsimmigration.com
Instagram: @careerwingsimmigration