Child Sponsorship

Overview

The Child Sponsorship Program is a compassionate pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their dependent children to Canada. This program is part of the larger Family Class immigration category, which prioritizes family reunification. The sponsor, residing in Canada, undertakes a commitment to support their child financially, ensuring they do not need to rely on social assistance from the government.

How it works

To sponsor a dependent child, the sponsor must meet specific eligibility criteria, including age, residency status, and financial capacity. The child being sponsored must also meet the definition of a dependent child under Canadian immigration law. The application process involves two main stages: the sponsor's eligibility assessment and the sponsored child's permanent residence application, including medical, security, and criminality checks. The program aims to reunite families, allowing children to join their parents in Canada as permanent residents.

Who it's for

This program is ideal for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have a biological or adopted dependent child living outside of Canada, or in Canada without permanent resident status, whom they wish to sponsor for permanent residence. It's designed for parents who can demonstrate the financial ability to support their child and fulfill specific undertakings to the Canadian government.

To be eligible to sponsor a dependent child, both the sponsor and the child must meet certain criteria.

Sponsor Eligibility:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
• Status in Canada: Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. If a Canadian citizen living abroad, they must demonstrate an intent to reside in Canada when the sponsored child becomes a permanent resident. Permanent residents must reside in Canada.
• Financial Capacity: Must sign an undertaking to provide for the basic needs of the sponsored child. There is no Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirement for sponsoring a dependent child, unlike some other family sponsorship streams. However, sponsors must not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability.
• Clean Record: Must not be in default of a previous sponsorship undertaking, have outstanding immigration loans, or have a criminal record for certain offenses.
• No Inadmissibility: Must not be subject to a removal order or be incarcerated.

Dependent Child Eligibility:

• Age: Must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or common-law partner. If the child is 22 years old or older, they can still be considered a dependent child if they have depended on the parent for financial support since before age 22 and are unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
• Relationship: Must be the biological or adopted child of the sponsor. Step-children may also be included if they are the biological children of the sponsor's current spouse or common-law partner.
• Not Inadmissible: Must not be inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as serious criminality, misrepresentation, or medical inadmissibility. However, medical inadmissibility may be overcome for family class members if the condition does not pose an excessive demand on Canadian health or social services.
• Genuine Relationship: The relationship between the sponsor and the child must be genuine.

The following is a list of commonly required documents. Specific requirements may vary based on the applicant's country of origin and individual circumstances.

• Sponsor's Documents:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status (e.g., Canadian passport, PR card, citizenship certificate).
  • Proof of residency in Canada (e.g., utility bills, driver's license).
  • Income tax option C printouts/NOAs for the most recent tax years (typically 1-3 years).
  • Proof of employment or income (e.g., employment letters, pay stubs).
  • Declaration of a significant number of forms specific to the sponsorship application (e.g., IMM 1344, IMM 5768).

• Sponsored Child's Documents:

  • Birth certificate to prove the relationship with the sponsor.
  • Adoption order (if applicable) and other adoption-related documents.
  • Valid passport and copies of all pages.
  • Identity documents (e.g., national ID card).
  • Proof of relationship with the sponsor (e.g., photos, communication records).
  • Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician.
  • Police certificates from all countries where the child has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
  • Photographs meeting IRCC specifications.
  • Educational documents (if applicable).
  • Statutory Declaration of Dependent Child (IMM 0004) if applicable to declare dependency status for children 22 or older.

• Other Documents:

  • Marriage certificate of parents (if applicable).
  • Custody agreements (if parents are separated or divorced).
  • Any other documents requested by IRCC to establish eligibility or verify information.

The child sponsorship application process involves several key steps:

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure both the sponsor and the dependent child meet all eligibility requirements as outlined by IRCC.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary documents for both the sponsor and the sponsored child. This is a critical step, as missing documents can lead to significant delays or refusal.
3. Complete Forms: Accurately complete all required IRCC forms. This typically includes the Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking, and Generic Application Form for Canada, among others.
4. Pay Fees: Pay all applicable government fees online through the IRCC portal. Ensure you keep receipts as proof of payment.
5. Submit Application: Submit the complete application package to IRCC. For child sponsorship, applications are typically submitted online through the Permanent Residence Portal, but some may still be mailed depending on specific instructions.
6. Biometrics: Upon receiving an official request from IRCC, the sponsored child (and potentially the sponsor if overseas) will need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a designated Service Canada or VAC (Visa Application Centre) location.
7. Medical Examination: The sponsored child will receive instructions to undergo a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
8. Police Certificates: Obtain police certificates from any country where the sponsored child has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
9. IRCC Review: IRCC will review the application, assess eligibility, and conduct background checks. They may request additional documents or an interview.
10. Decision: If the application is approved, the sponsored child will receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and instructions on how to finalize their permanent resident status.

The Child Sponsorship program is specifically designed for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their own dependent children. This can include biological or adopted children who meet the definition of a dependent child. If the sponsor also has a spouse or common-law partner, they are not directly sponsored under this program, but their dependent children from a previous relationship may be included as part of the primary applicant's (sponsored child's) application if they also meet the dependency requirements and are under the care of the primary sponsored child (e.g., a sibling of the sponsored child who is also dependent on the sponsor). However, the primary focus is on the direct parent-child relationship for sponsorship. Step-children of the sponsor's current spouse who meet the dependency criteria can also be included.

Upon receiving permanent residence through the Child Sponsorship Program, the sponsored child will have the right to live, study, and work anywhere in Canada. They will not require a separate work permit or study permit. As permanent residents, they will have nearly all the same rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens, including access to healthcare, education, and the ability to work in any occupation for which they are qualified. Prior to obtaining permanent resident status, a sponsored child residing in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit under specific public policies, allowing them to work while their permanent residence application is being processed. This is not guaranteed and requires meeting specific criteria.

The Child Sponsorship Program is a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Upon successful completion of the sponsorship process, the dependent child is granted permanent resident status in Canada. There is no intermediate step or temporary status; the goal of the program is to provide permanent status to eligible dependent children. After acquiring permanent residence, the child can eventually apply for Canadian citizenship, provided they meet the residency requirements and other eligibility criteria for citizenship.

Applications for child sponsorship can be refused for several reasons. Understanding these can help sponsors prepare a strong application:

• Ineligibility of Sponsor: The sponsor does not meet age, residency, or financial undertaking requirements, or has a history of default on previous sponsorships.
• Ineligibility of Sponsored Child: The child does not meet the definition of a dependent child (e.g., age limit, not financially dependent due to a mental or physical condition).
• Inadmissibility of Sponsored Child: The child is found inadmissible due to criminality, misrepresentation, or a medical condition that poses an excessive demand on Canadian health or social services (though exceptions exist for family class).
• Incomplete Application: Missing documents, unsigned forms, or incomplete information can lead to refusal or significant delays. IRCC is strict about complete applications.
• Lack of Genuine Relationship: IRCC may have doubts about the authenticity of the parent-child relationship, especially in cases of adoption or if there are inconsistencies in the information provided.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or concealing material facts can lead to a refusal and a ban from reapplying for several years.
• Failure to Respond to IRCC Requests: Not responding to requests for additional documents or information in a timely manner can result in file closure or refusal.