A dependent child is under 22 and does not have a spouse or common-law partner, or is 22 or older and has depended on you financially since before turning 22 because of a physical or mental condition. Age is locked in on the day IRCC receives a complete application, so a child who is 21 when you file remains a dependant even if the file takes longer than a year to process. Getting a complete application submitted on time can therefore be decisive.
Adopted children can be sponsored where the adoption is legally valid where it took place and recognized in Canada, created a genuine parent-child relationship, and severed the legal ties with the birth parents. For international adoptions, the province’s adoption authority is usually involved, and the process differs depending on whether the child will become a permanent resident or a citizen. We map the correct route before any paperwork begins.
Where the child has another parent, IRCC expects proof that you have custody or that the other parent consents to the child moving to Canada permanently. Court orders, custody agreements and notarized consents must be consistent with the birth certificate and the child’s history. Gaps here are one of the most common reasons these files stall.
Who this is for
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents whose children live abroad
- Parents sponsoring a child aged 22 or over who is dependent because of a physical or mental condition
- Families completing an international or domestic adoption who need the immigration side handled
- Parents who share custody and need the other parent’s consent documented correctly
- Parents who obtained permanent residence without declaring a child and need honest advice on their options
What we do
- Confirm your child qualifies as a dependant and lock in their age by filing a complete application
- Advise on the adoption route, coordinate with the provincial adoption authority and assemble the legal record
- Gather custody orders, consent letters and identity documents that are consistent across every country involved
- Prepare medical and financial dependency evidence for children who are 22 or older
- Assess the impact of any child who was not declared on a previous application
- File, track and respond to IRCC until your child lands
How it works
- 1
Eligibility review
We confirm the child meets the dependent child definition, review your status as a sponsor and identify any age deadline that must be met.
- 2
Document plan
You receive a checklist covering birth or adoption records, custody and consent, and any medical or dependency evidence, with translation requirements explained.
- 3
Preparation
We complete the sponsor and applicant forms, reconcile names, dates and relationships across every document, and draft any explanatory submissions.
- 4
Filing and follow-up
We submit the application, confirm it is accepted as complete, respond to IRCC requests and keep you updated until permanent residence is confirmed.