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Dependent Child Sponsorship

The Canadian government is deeply dedicated to maintaining family unity and thus permits parents to sponsor their dependent children for immigration to Canada.

A parent who meets the eligibility criteria to be a sponsor can apply for their child to become a permanent resident in Canada, provided the child meets the definition of a dependent.

Canada’s family-class immigration program permits the sponsorship of various relatives, including children, spouses, common-law/conjugal partners, parents, and grandparents, with family-class immigration accounting for approximately 25% of all new permanent residents admitted into Canada annually.

The likelihood of a child being a Canadian citizen is high if they were born in Canada or if one of their parents is a citizen of Canada. To confirm eligibility, one can use Canada’s citizenship tool. To be eligible for sponsorship, the sponsoring parent and the dependent child must meet the requirements established by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What requirements are needed for a parent to sponsor their child’s immigration to Canada?

To be considered as a sponsor, a person must meet two requirements: they must be 18 years old or above, and they must hold either Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status.

Sponsors must commit to fulfilling the essential requirements of their intended sponsored person and sign a pledge to offer financial aid to their sponsored family member after they acquire permanent residency. Furthermore, they must reimburse any social assistance payments obtained by the sponsored family member throughout the pledge.

Some circumstances exist that could make a parent unqualified to act as a sponsor for their child:

If the sponsoring parent became a Canadian permanent resident less than five years ago and has no intention of living in Canada with the sponsored child upon their permanent residency.

If the sponsoring parent is a permanent resident of Canada but resides outside the country, except for Canadian citizens who can apply for sponsorship from any country with the intent to live in Canada with the sponsored relative.

If the sponsoring parent is receiving social assistance for reasons other than disability.

If the sponsoring parent is incarcerated or has a criminal record, particularly for offenses committed against relatives.

Typically, the parent who is sponsoring does not need to demonstrate evidence of their financial earnings. Nevertheless, if the child who is being sponsored has their dependent children, then the sponsoring parent must satisfy a specific income criterion.

If you reside in Quebec and intend to support a child, it is important to acknowledge that you need to fulfill the immigration sponsorship criteria of Quebec along with the prerequisites stated in this piece.

Super Visa

Some potential sponsors may face obstacles in applying for the Parent and Grandparent Program, either because they didn’t receive an invitation or because they prefer a faster process to bring their elderly relatives to Canada. Fortunately, there is an alternative option available.

Through the Super Visa program, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can have extended stays in Canada, with the possibility of staying for up to two years upon their first entry. The Super Visa is valid for up to a decade, allowing its holders to return to Canada multiple times during that period.

The Super Visa is not a program that offers permanent residence. Those who apply for it must have their medical insurance and are not allowed to work in Canada unless they have specific authorization. Despite these restrictions, the processing times are relatively fast, allowing families to reunite in Canada more quickly than through the Parent and Grandparent Program. Additionally, applicants do not need to wait for an invitation to apply; as long as they meet the eligibility requirements, they can apply at any time and potentially be approved to come to Canada.

What are the qualifications that must be met for a child to be sponsored for immigration to Canada?

Initially, it is necessary to confirm whether your offspring fulfills Canada’s criteria to be considered a dependent. There exist two approaches to prove the dependent status:

The child must be younger than 22 years old and not married or living with a partner.

The child must be 22 years old or older and have a mental or physical condition that makes them unable to support themselves financially. Additionally, they must have relied on their parents for financial support before turning 22 years old.

To qualify for sponsorship, you must either be sponsoring your child or the child of your partner. If you are sponsoring your partner’s child who is not your own, you must also be sponsoring your partner.

It is important to note that there is a different procedure for sponsoring adopted children in Canada. To determine if your child is eligible for sponsorship, you can use the IRCC’s tool to determine if they meet the criteria to be considered a dependent.

To immigrate to Canada as a sponsored family member, it is important not to have any inadmissibility issues such as past criminal convictions or medical conditions that may endanger the health and safety of the Canadian public. However, it’s worth noting that sponsored family members won’t be denied entry solely on the grounds of their medical conditions being too costly for the Canadian healthcare system.

What is the process for sponsoring a child for immigration to Canada?

The process of sponsoring a child for Canadian immigration consists of two parts. Firstly, the applicant needs to demonstrate their eligibility as a sponsor. Secondly, they must provide evidence that the child meets the criteria for Canadian permanent residency sponsorship. The IRCC’s Guide 5525 offers information on the family sponsorship application process that can be useful for applicants in preparing their application.

It’s important to be aware that the requirements for family sponsorship applications differ depending on the country. To find out about the specific requirements, applicants should visit IRCC’s family sponsorship application page and provide their details. IRCC will then produce the relevant checklists, forms, and instructions related to sponsoring the child.

The family sponsorship applications are not online, so they must be completed in hard copy and sent to IRCC in a single envelope by mail or courier. Sponsoring a child requires a fee of CAD 150, and the processing time depends on the country where the sponsored child resides.

Do you want to sponsor children who live within or outside of your local area?

The phrases “inland” and “outland” are frequently used to describe applications for spousal sponsorship, even though they are not officially used by IRCC. “Inland” refers to cases where the sponsored spouse is residing within Canada, while “outland” applies to situations where the sponsored spouse is living outside Canada.

However, these terms are not applicable for sponsoring a child for Canadian immigration, as all sponsorship applications for children are processed by a visa office in Canada.

The concepts of family sponsorship and Express Entry are being discussed

Express Entry, along with several other immigration programs for economic classes in Canada, permits parents and children to apply for permanent resident status concurrently. This implies that if an individual meets the requirements for an Express Entry program, they can simply include their spouse/partner and any dependent children in their initial application, thus eliminating the need to sponsor family members later on and making it easier for families to stay together.

However, to be accepted into Canada through Express Entry, prospective applicants must first create an Express Entry profile and obtain an invitation to apply.

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