Dependent child sponsorship — biological / adopted / step
Sponsoring biological, adopted, or step children under 22 (or older if dependent). Indian-context: joint family + dependent older children common.
CanadaFamily SponsorshipDependent ChildR2
Under IRPR R2, a "dependent child" of the sponsor is:
(a) Biological or adopted child under 22 years old AND not married or in common-law relationship, OR
(b) 22+ years old, has been continuously a dependent child since before age 22 (financially + emotionally), AND
(i) Has been a full-time student in a post-secondary institution since before age 22, OR
(ii) Has been physically or mentally unable to provide for themselves since before age 22
The 22-year age threshold (effective Oct 2017) replaced the prior 19-year threshold. Children who were dependents under prior threshold + applied before policy change may be grandfathered.
Draft a 500-600 word dependent child sponsorship strategy for [SPONSOR_NAME] sponsoring [CHILD_NAME] ([CHILD_AGE], [RELATIONSHIP], currently in [CHILD_LOCATION]).
§1 — ELIGIBILITY ANALYSIS (180-220 words)
For [CHILD_NAME] aged [CHILD_AGE]:
If [CHILD_AGE] is under 22:
• Default dependency status applies
• Must NOT be married or in common-law relationship
• If married / common-law, child is no longer a dependent under R2
If [CHILD_AGE] is 22 or older:
• Dependency must be established under R2(b)
• Two acceptable bases:
Basis 1: Full-time post-secondary student
• Must have been continuously enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies since before age 22
• Studies must be at recognized post-secondary institution (university, college, vocational)
• Some gap between programs OK if short + reasonable
• Required evidence: enrollment letters, transcripts, current student ID
Basis 2: Physical / mental dependency
• Must have suffered from physical or mental condition since before age 22
• Condition makes child unable to support themselves
• Medical evidence required: doctor's report, ongoing care evidence, financial dependence proof
For not applicable (child is under 22) = [details]:
Confirm dependency basis matches reality.
Note: officers scrutinize "age + 1 day" dependency claims more carefully.
§2 — RELATIONSHIP TYPE — EVIDENCE BY CATEGORY (200-250 words)
A. Biological child:
• Birth certificate showing both parents' names
• Sponsor's name as parent matches sponsor's ID
• DNA testing if birth certificate is delayed-issued or otherwise questioned
B. Adopted child:
• Foreign adoption order (legalised under Hague Adoption Convention or country-specific)
• Provincial / territorial adoption recognition (if adoption from Hague country)
• OR: separate Citizenship Direct Grant under s.5.1 of Citizenship Act
• IRCC processes through R117(1)(b) family class — must establish:
- Adoption was genuine (not for immigration purposes)
- In best interests of child
- No corruption / payment for adoption
• Adoption from India: subject to CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) + Hague Convention compliance
C. Step-child:
• Sponsor's marriage to child's biological parent
• Child must be a member of the family unit
• Some scenarios: sponsor's spouse has a child from prior marriage; sponsor becomes step-parent
• Step-children of common-law / conjugal partners: complex; consult counsel
D. Indian-context specifics:
• Indian birth certificates: must be original-issued (some Indian states have delayed issuance — late-issued certificates require police records + court documents)
• Adopted children: CARA-compliant adoption with Indian state authority approval
§3 — INADMISSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS (80-100 words)
Even dependent children must clear admissibility:
• Criminality: most children under 22 won't have criminal history, but check
• Medical: medical exam required; medical inadmissibility (rare but possible — costly treatment that exceeds excessive demand threshold)
• Misrepresentation: ensure child's prior travel / visa history disclosed accurately
For older dependent children (20s+):
• Police certificates from all countries lived 6+ months since 18
• Recent address history
• Employment history (informational)
§4 — APPLICATION PACKAGE (150-180 words)
Sponsorship (Stage 1) by [SPONSOR_NAME]:
□ IMM 1344 — Application to Sponsor
□ Sponsorship undertaking (3-10 years duration depending on child age):
- Under 16: until age 25 OR 10 years (whichever first)
- 16-21: 10 years OR until age 25 (whichever first)
- 22+: 3 years
PR application by [CHILD_NAME]:
□ IMM 0008 — Generic Application Form
□ IMM 5669 — Schedule A
□ IMM 5406 — Additional Family Information
□ Passport
□ Photos
□ Medical exam
□ Police certificates (if 18+ at time of application)
□ Biometrics
□ Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): CAD 575 (under 22), or CAD 575 (over 22 if accompanying parents)
§5 — SPECIAL CASES (60-80 words)
If child has children of their own (i.e. has minor children at age 19+ who are dependent grandchildren):
• Grandchildren can be included as dependent grandchildren if dependent on the principal applicant
• Each requires their own documentation
If child has spouse / partner:
• Child is no longer dependent under R2(a)
• Child can be sponsored separately as a spouse (if they have a Canadian PR/citizen spouse — different stream entirely)
§6 — TIMELINE (40-60 words)
• Sponsorship eligibility: 2-4 months
• PR application for dependent child: 12-18 months
• Faster than spouse sponsorship typically
• Quebec sponsors: separate provincial process
End with: "DRAFT DEPENDENT CHILD SPONSORSHIP — for RCIC review. R117(9)(d) excluded relationships apply — sponsor must have declared the child in any prior immigration application to Canada. Children turning 22 during processing remain dependent IF lock-in date was met (typically AOR date)."Purchase the vault to unlock