Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship: Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
Sponsor your biological, adopted, or stepchild for Canadian PR. Under-22 rule, over-age dependents, no income test, ~12-month processing from India.
~12 months
CAD 85 + CAD 175 per child
Permanent Residence
Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship is a permanent residency stream administered by IRCC under the Family Class that allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians under the Indian Act to sponsor their dependent children — biological, adopted, or stepchildren — for PR. The IRCC definition of a dependent child is under 22 years old and not a spouse or common-law partner, raised from under 19 effective October 24, 2017. Children aged 22 or older qualify only as over-age dependents if they have been unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition continuously since before age 22.
There is no minimum income requirement for sponsoring dependent children, no language test, no points-based score, and no work experience requirement. Government fees per child are reduced compared to adult applicants — CAD 85 sponsorship fee plus CAD 175 child processing fee, with no Right of Permanent Residence Fee for children. The sponsorship undertaking is 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first, for under-22 children; 3 years for over-age dependents. Processing takes approximately 12 months. Adopted children may alternatively obtain Canadian citizenship by descent under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act — a separate path from PR sponsorship that bypasses the immigration process.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship?
Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship is open to Canadian citizens, PRs, and registered Indians aged 18+ who wish to sponsor their biological, adopted, or stepchildren for permanent residence. The audience profiles below summarise who typically qualifies in 2026.
- Canadian citizens aged 18 or older living in Canada or planning to return when the sponsored child arrives
- Permanent residents aged 18 or older with valid PR status, currently residing in Canada
- Registered Indians under the Canadian Indian Act, regardless of citizenship or PR status
- Sponsors of biological children — under 22 and not in a spouse or common-law relationship
- Sponsors of legally adopted children — under 22, where the adoption is recognised in Canada and conforms to the Hague Convention (where applicable)
- Sponsors of stepchildren — children of a current or former spouse/common-law partner of the sponsor
- Sponsors of over-age dependents — children 22 or older who have been continuously unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition since before age 22
- Sponsors who included the dependent child in their own original PR application as a non-accompanying family member, declared and examined at landing (avoiding the IRPR 117(9)(d) bar)
- Sponsors residing in Quebec who additionally complete the Quebec selection process with MIFI under separate provincial rules
- Sponsors of children born outside Canada who are eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent — adoption, biological, or otherwise — may pursue citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act as an alternative to PR sponsorship
The under-22 age cap was raised from under 19 effective October 24, 2017. Over-age dependents (22+) qualify only when the inability to financially self-support has been continuous from before age 22. Adopted children may pursue Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act as an alternative to PR sponsorship.
Categories
Types of Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship
Dependent child sponsorship covers three distinct categories with different documentary requirements and undertaking lengths. Identify the correct category before opening the application — adoption in particular has a parallel provincial process that often determines the overall timeline.
Under-22 Dependent Child — biological, adopted, or stepchild
The standard category. A dependent child is under 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner. Includes biological children, legally adopted children, and stepchildren of a current or former spouse. Sponsorship undertaking is 10 years from PR or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first. The under-22 age cap was raised from under 19 effective October 24, 2017 — so a child born after October 24, 1995 may have been eligible at 22 but not at 19 under earlier rules.
Over-Age Dependent — 22 or older with a continuous condition
An exception for adult children who are unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition. The condition must have been continuous from before age 22 — children who became dependent later in life do not qualify. Documentation requires medical records showing the condition's onset before age 22, current status, and inability to financially self-support. Sponsorship undertaking is 3 years from PR (shorter than the under-22 undertaking).
Adopted Child or Relative to be Adopted (Hague Convention)
Adopted children follow a separate documentary path. The adoption must be legally recognised in both the country of origin and Canada, and must conform to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (1993) where the country of origin is a Hague signatory. Provincial adoption authorities (in the sponsor's province) must approve the adoption. As an alternative to PR sponsorship, eligible adopted children may receive Canadian citizenship by descent under Citizenship Act section 5.1 — a route that bypasses the immigration process entirely.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship?
Each Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship application is judged against a defined set of measurable IRCC criteria covering sponsor status, the under-22 age test, the continuous-condition test for over-age dependents, adoption-specific rules, and the sponsorship undertaking. There is no minimum income for sponsoring children — a meaningful difference from the PGP stream.
- Sponsor Minimum Age: Sponsor must be 18 years or older at the time of submitting the sponsorship undertaking
- Sponsor Status: Sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act
- Sponsor Residence: Sponsor must reside in Canada (Canadian citizens may sponsor while abroad if they intend to return when PR is granted)
- Sponsor Income Requirement: No minimum income for sponsoring dependent children — neither the sponsor's tax records nor LICO is tested
- Dependent Child Age — Standard: Under 22 years old at the time of application (lock-in age preserved if aged out during processing through no fault of the applicant)
- Dependent Child Marital Status: Not a spouse or common-law partner at the time of application
- Over-Age Dependent — Continuous Condition: 22+ children qualify only if continuously unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition since before age 22
- Adoption — Hague Convention: Adoptions from Hague signatory countries must comply with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption
- Adoption — Provincial Approval: Provincial adoption authorities in the sponsor's province must approve the adoption
- Sponsorship Undertaking — Under 22: 10 years from PR or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first
- Sponsorship Undertaking — Over-Age Dependent: 3 years from PR
- Sponsorship Application Fee: CAD 85 per sponsor
- Principal Applicant Processing Fee — Child: CAD 175 per dependent child (reduced from the CAD 545 adult rate)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee — Child: None — no RPRF for dependent children
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 per applicant aged 14 or older; CAD 170 family rate
- Section 117(9)(d) Bar: Dependent children not declared and examined at the sponsor's own PR landing are barred from being sponsored later — a hard, no-discretion bar
- Sponsor Inadmissibility Bars: Default on a previous undertaking, certain criminal convictions, undischarged bankruptcy, or being a sponsored spouse within 5 years of own PR
- Quebec Special Rules: Quebec sponsors sign a separate undertaking with MIFI and complete Quebec selection in addition to the federal application
Program Details
Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship: Full Program Specifications & Immigration Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Program Name | Sponsorship of a Dependent Child (Family Class) |
| Visa Category | Permanent Residence — Family Class |
| Visa Type | Family Class (Sponsored) |
| Categories | Under-22 dependent child, over-age dependent (with continuous condition), adopted child |
| Points Based | No — relationship-based, not points-based |
| CRS Applicable | No |
| Province Specific | No (federal program; Quebec has separate selection rules) |
| Leads to PR | Yes — direct PR upon approval |
| Leads to Citizenship | Yes — after 3 years of physical presence as PR in the preceding 5 years; adopted children may also pursue citizenship under section 5.1 Citizenship Act |
| Sponsor Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Sponsor Maximum Age | No upper limit |
| Sponsor Status Required | Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act |
| Sponsor Residence Requirement | Sponsor must reside in Canada (citizens may sponsor from abroad if returning when PR is granted) |
| Sponsor Income Requirement | None for dependent children |
| Job Offer Required | No |
| Language Test Required | No |
| Work Experience Required | No |
| Education Requirement | No minimum |
| Dependent Child Age Definition (IRPR section 2) | Under 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner; raised from under 19 effective October 24, 2017 |
| Over-Age Dependent Test | 22+ unable to be financially self-supporting due to a physical or mental condition continuously from before age 22 |
| Lock-in Age | The age is locked in at the date IRCC receives the complete application — children who turn 22 during processing through no fault of their own remain eligible |
| Eligible Children | Biological, legally adopted, and stepchildren (children of a current or former spouse/common-law partner) |
| Adoption — Hague Convention | Required for adoptions from Hague signatory countries |
| Adoption — Provincial Approval | Required from the sponsor's province of residence |
| Adoption — Citizenship Alternative | Adopted children may pursue citizenship under Citizenship Act section 5.1 instead of PR sponsorship |
| Sponsorship Undertaking — Under 22 | 10 years or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Sponsorship Undertaking — Over-Age | 3 years from PR |
| Application Mode | Online via the IRCC PR Portal (primary mode since 2022) |
| Sponsorship Application Fee | CAD 85 per sponsor |
| Principal Applicant Processing Fee — Child | CAD 175 per dependent child |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | None for children (CAD 575 for over-age adults) |
| Biometrics Fee | CAD 85 per applicant; CAD 170 family rate (children under 14 do not give biometrics) |
| Biometrics Required | Required for ages 14 and over (under 14 are exempt) |
| Biometrics Validity | 10 years from the date given |
| Medical Exam Required | Yes — by an IRCC-approved panel physician (eMedical) |
| Police Clearance Required | Yes — for the sponsored child if aged 18 or older, from every country lived in for 6 months or more since age 18 |
| Interview Required | Sometimes — at the visa officer's discretion, especially for adoption or over-age dependent cases |
| Processing Time (India) | Approximately 12 months (verify against the IRCC live processing-time tool) |
| Section 117(9)(d) Bar | Children not declared and examined at the sponsor's own PR landing are barred from future sponsorship |
| Sponsor Inadmissibility Bars | Bankruptcy, criminal convictions for specified offences, default on previous undertaking, or sponsored spouse within 5 years |
| Quebec Special Rules | Separate MIFI undertaking and Quebec selection process |
| Same-Sex Sponsors | Recognised — same eligibility rules apply since 2005 |
| Official Source URL | canada.ca — Sponsor your spouse, partner, or children |
* Data sourced from official IRCC publications. Fees and processing times subject to change — verify at canada.ca before applying.
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship?
The Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship application requires a category-specific document set covering child identity, parent-child relationship proof, adoption documents (where applicable), continuous-condition medical records (for over-age dependents), and admissibility. Prepare each item below before opening your IRCC PR Portal application.
- Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the application date for each sponsored child, plus digital passport-style photographs meeting IRCC specifications
- Sponsor's proof of status — Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian passport, PR card, or Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
- Completed sponsorship application forms — IMM 1344 (Sponsorship Agreement) and IMM 5532 (Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation, where applicable)
- Completed Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) and Schedule A — Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) for the sponsored child
- Birth certificate of the sponsored child showing the sponsor (or sponsor's spouse, for stepchildren) as parent
- For adopted children — full adoption decree, Hague Convention compliance documents (where the country of origin is a Hague signatory), home study report, and provincial adoption-authority approval letter
- For stepchildren — marriage certificate or common-law declaration of the sponsor and the child's biological parent, plus the child's birth certificate showing the biological parent
- For over-age dependents — comprehensive medical records documenting the physical or mental condition, the date of onset (must be before age 22), the continuous nature of the inability to financially self-support, and current status; statements from treating physicians
- Evidence of the dependent child's relationship and continuing dependence — school records, residency proof, financial-support records, photographs, communication records
- Police clearance certificates from every country the sponsored child has lived in for 6 months or more since age 18 (only if the child is 18 or older at application time)
- Upfront medical examination (eMedical) results from an IRCC-approved panel physician — required for the sponsored child
- Biometrics — fingerprints and photograph collected at a VFS Canada centre in India (required for ages 14-79; under 14 are exempt)
- Sponsorship Undertaking and Agreement signed by the sponsor (and co-signer, where applicable) committing to the relevant undertaking length
- Where the other parent of the child has custody or access rights, written consent from that parent for the child to immigrate to Canada (or court order overriding consent)
- Quebec sponsors only — separate undertaking with the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) and Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
- Additional documents and requirements may vary based on the specific Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship category, applicant profile, or immigration pathway
Application Process
How to Apply for Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship: Step-by-Step Process
Apply for Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship in eight sequential IRCC stages — from confirming dependency and the section 117(9)(d) status through the adoption-specific path (where applicable), gathering documents, paying the CAD 260 in government fees per child, and submitting via the IRCC PR Portal.
Confirm Sponsor and Dependent Child Eligibility
Verify that the sponsor is a Canadian citizen, PR, or registered Indian aged 18 or older with no inadmissibility bars. Confirm the child meets the under-22 dependency test (under 22 and not a spouse or common-law partner) or the over-age dependent test (continuous condition since before age 22). Identify the category: biological, adopted, stepchild, or over-age dependent — each has a distinct documentary path.
Verify the Section 117(9)(d) Status
Critically check whether the sponsored child was declared and examined as a non-accompanying family member during the sponsor's own PR application. Children not declared at the sponsor's landing are barred from future sponsorship under IRPR 117(9)(d) — a hard, no-discretion bar with no humanitarian relief in most cases. If unsure, retrieve the sponsor's original PR file via an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request before opening a sponsorship application.
Adoption-Specific Path (If Applicable)
For adopted children: complete the provincial adoption process in the sponsor's province, obtain the adoption decree and home study, and ensure Hague Convention compliance where the country of origin is a Hague signatory. Decide whether to pursue PR sponsorship (this stream) or Canadian citizenship by descent under Citizenship Act section 5.1 (a separate, often faster path that bypasses immigration). The two paths are alternatives, not parallel.
Gather Documents and Sign the Undertaking
Collect identity, status, relationship, medical, and (for over-18 children) police-clearance documents. The sponsor signs the Sponsorship Agreement (IMM 1344) committing to either 10 years / age 25 (under-22 child) or 3 years (over-age dependent). For over-age dependents, assemble medical records documenting the continuous condition since before age 22 — this is the most-scrutinised part of these applications.
Submit the Application via the IRCC PR Portal
Create an IRCC PR Portal account and upload the sponsorship application alongside the principal applicant's PR application. Pay the CAD 85 sponsorship fee, CAD 175 child processing fee per dependent child, and CAD 85 biometrics fee per child aged 14-79. There is no Right of Permanent Residence Fee for children — the RPRF only applies to adults (over-age dependents pay CAD 575 RPRF).
Complete Biometrics, Medical, and Police Checks
After receiving the Biometrics Instruction Letter, the sponsored child (aged 14 or older) attends a VFS Canada centre in India for fingerprints and photograph. Children under 14 are exempt. Complete the upfront medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician — results upload directly to IRCC. Submit police clearance certificates if the child is 18 or older.
Application Review and Possible Interview
A visa officer reviews the relationship documents, medical and security clearances, and (for over-age dependents) the medical evidence supporting the continuous-condition test. Adoption cases may be flagged for an interview to verify the genuineness of the parent-child relationship and best-interests-of-the-child considerations.
Receive Permanent Residence and Land in Canada
If approved, the sponsored child receives a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa. They must land in Canada before the COPR expiry to activate PR status. The sponsorship undertaking begins on the date PR is granted — 10 years or age 25 for under-22 children, 3 years for over-age dependents.
The application process, fees, and timelines may vary depending on the specific Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship category, applicant category, and immigration program.
Canada Dependent Child Sponsorship is the dedicated PR pathway for biological, adopted, and stepchildren of Canadian citizens and PRs. The program has no income test, no language test, and no points-based score — eligibility hinges on the under-22 age cap, the not-a-spouse rule, and the genuineness of the parent-child relationship.
For Indian applicants, the most common refusal reasons are documentary: incomplete birth certificates, missing custody-consent letters from a non-sponsoring biological parent, or thin medical records for over-age dependents. Adoption cases additionally require provincial adoption authority approval and Hague Convention compliance — a parallel administrative path that runs alongside the federal sponsorship application and often sets the timeline.
Section 117(9)(d) — the hard bar against sponsoring a family member not declared at the sponsor's own PR landing — is the single most important rule to verify before opening this application. If your sponsor's original PR file is unclear, file an ATIP request to confirm what was declared. For adopted children, weigh the citizenship-by-descent path under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act as an alternative; it is often faster and bypasses the immigration process entirely.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore Family Sponsorship FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Related Resources
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