Dependent children in Canadian immigration

A child is your dependant if they're your biological or adopted child (or your spouse's or partner's) and either:

• they're under 22 and don't have a spouse or common-law partner, or
• they're 22 or older, have depended on your financial support since before age 22, and can't support themselves because of a physical or mental condition

IRCC uses the child's age on the date your application is received (the "lock-in date"). If your child is 21 when IRCC receives your application, they stay eligible even if they turn 22 while it's being processed. They must not marry or enter a common-law relationship before they become a PR.

For Express Entry, the lock-in date is when IRCC receives your permanent residence application, not when you create your profile.

• Express Entry and PNP: list every dependent child, even if they're not coming with you. They usually need a medical exam too.
• Spousal sponsorship: you can include your partner's dependent children.
• Sponsoring your own child: citizens and PRs can sponsor a dependent child on their own.

Not declaring a child can stop you from sponsoring them later, so always list every child.

When you sponsor a dependent child under 22, you promise to support them for 10 years or until they turn 25, whichever comes first.

• Sponsoring a partner and their children? Compare inland and outland sponsorship.
• Moving through Express Entry? Use our document checklist to list every child correctly.
• Not sure your child qualifies? Book a consultation with Manu Sharma, RCIC.

• IRCC: Who you can include as a dependent child
• IRCC: Sponsor your spouse, partner or children, who you can sponsor
• IRCC: Find out if your child is a dependant