How Foreign Citizens in Canada Sponsor a Child for PR

(CANADA) Foreign citizens living in Canada who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their children for Permanent Residency through the Family Class sponsorship stream, a pathway that continues to operate with stable rules and quicker processing in 2025. As of September 15, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says parents can file online for a dependent child under 22 who is unmarried or not in a common‑law relationship.

Children 22 or older may still qualify if they’ve depended on the parent financially since before 22 due to a physical or mental condition. The program serves families both inside and outside Canada, with inland and outland processing tracks based on where the child lives during the application.

Who can sponsor

• The sponsor must be at least 18 and either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
• Only Canadian citizens can sponsor while living abroad; permanent residents must live in Canada to sponsor.
• IRCC excludes certain people from sponsoring:
  • Sponsors who are bankrupt
  • Sponsors who are incarcerated
  • Sponsors who are behind on child support or loan payments
  • Sponsors receiving social assistance (except disability assistance)

These long‑standing limits are intended to protect children and ensure sponsors can meet their responsibilities during the undertaking.

Income and Quebec-specific rules

• There is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a dependent child who does not have dependents of their own.
• If the child being sponsored has dependents, the sponsor must meet an income threshold to show they can support everyone.
• In Quebec, sponsors must complete provincial steps and sign a provincial financial undertaking after federal approval.
  • IRCC stresses sponsors should plan for both federal and, where applicable, provincial obligations to avoid delays.

Inland vs outland processing and timelines

• Processing varies by country and whether the case is filed inland or outland.
• Families should expect different timelines if the child is already in Canada versus abroad.
• IRCC has focused on easing backlogs and simplifying steps since 2024; these efforts continue through 2025.
• While the Parents and Grandparents Program remains paused, child sponsorship continues normally.
• IRCC emphasizes that complete applications move faster than those missing documents or signatures.

How to apply (online)

• The application is fully online through the IRCC Permanent Residence (PR) Portal.
• Steps:
  1. Download the application package and follow the instruction guide.
  2. Use the personalized checklist included in the package.
  3. The sponsor completes the sponsorship section.
  4. The child completes the permanent residence section.
  5. Submit both parts together in the same online submission.

• Government fees: $255 total for most cases, broken down as:
  • $85 sponsorship fee
  • $85 processing fee
  • $85 biometrics fee (if biometrics apply)
• IRCC collects biometrics for dependents who are 14 or older.
• If the child has their own dependents, IRCC adds $175 to cover those applicants.

Proof of relationship and custody documentation

IRCC places special emphasis on proof of the parent‑child relationship. Required or commonly requested documents include:

• Birth certificates listing both parents
• Adoption records, where relevant
• Court documents for custody or guardianship

Where only one parent is sponsoring, a notarized consent letter from the non‑accompanying parent is often necessary, especially when the child is outside Canada. IRCC warns that missing consent or unclear custody can trigger long delays or refusals, particularly when orders from different countries are involved.

• Families facing separation or disputed custody should gather:
  • Certified translations
  • Complete court records
  • Notarized consent or guardian documents
• Doing this before filing reduces the risk of requests for further evidence.

Police certificates, biometrics, and responding to IRCC

• Police certificates are needed for a dependent child who has lived outside Canada for six or more consecutive months after turning 18.
• IRCC may ask for updated documents or extra evidence after submission.
• Applicants should respond quickly to any IRCC request to keep the file moving.
• For Quebec, sponsors must also obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC) and sign a provincial undertaking after IRCC assesses sponsor eligibility.

Work options while PR is in process

Some older dependents may have options while their PR file is processing:

• Dependent children 18 or older might qualify for an Open Work Permit if:
  • Their parent works in a high‑skilled job (TEER categories 0 to 3), and
  • They were listed as dependents on a permanent residence application.

Families should check these rules carefully — an open work permit can let older dependents gain Canadian work experience and support themselves while waiting for PR.

IRCC guidance and document checks

IRCC continues to tighten online guidance and checklists. The department’s message is simple: complete and accurate files get quicker results.

Practical checklist items IRCC emphasizes:

• Double‑check names, dates, and numbers on all forms
• Match details across passports and birth records
• Ensure every required signature is in place before paying fees
• When documents are not in English or French, include certified translations with the originals

Complete checklists and clearer instructions are meant to reduce common mistakes and limit back‑and‑forth exchanges.

Choosing inland vs outland

• Inland filing:
  • Suits families who are already together in Canada and can maintain status during processing.
  • May offer different travel and processing considerations.
• Outland filing:
  • Often works best when the child remains abroad and requires PR status to travel and settle.
  • Travel and return options differ from inland files.

Families should weigh schooling schedules, medical needs, and travel plans before choosing a path. When in doubt, a short consultation with an authorized representative can clarify trade‑offs without slowing preparation.

Fees, timing, and practical tips

• Budget for $255 federal total in standard files, plus $175 if the child has dependents.
• Biometrics appointments for children 14 or older are booked after IRCC issues an instruction letter.
• Police certificates for multiple countries can take time — start early to avoid last‑minute delays.
• Missing or inconsistent documentation can delay school start dates, provincial health coverage, or other settlement steps after landing.

Real‑life example

A permanent resident in Toronto who became a PR last year can sponsor her 12‑year‑old son still living overseas. By including:

• The long‑form birth certificate
• A passport‑style photo
• A consent letter from the child’s father

she can satisfy key evidence requirements at the start rather than after an IRCC request. A well‑prepared package can reduce the wait and help reunite families sooner.

Final takeaway

IRCC’s Family Class sponsorship for a dependent child is built around family unity, a core goal of Canada’s immigration system 🇨🇦. Even with the Parents and Grandparents Program paused this year, child sponsorship remains open and stable.

• No major policy shifts announced for late 2025/early 2026
• Processing improvements and clearer checklists aim to keep files moving
• A clean, honest, and timely file gives families the best chance to reunite sooner

For official program details, IRCC maintains a comprehensive guide on sponsoring a dependent child, including eligibility, documents, and fees. Readers can review the government’s page for sponsoring children under the Family Class at this official resource: IRCC child sponsorship overview.

Applications are filed through the online PR Portal, where sponsors upload forms and supporting documents for both the sponsorship and the child’s permanent residence application; portal instructions are available at the IRCC site, and applicants should use the personalized checklist included within the application package to avoid missing items.

Quick action checklist for families

1. Download the application package and instruction guide, then generate the personalized checklist through the online tool.
2. Collect civil status records:
   • Birth certificates listing parents
   • Adoption papers if relevant
   • Custody or guardianship orders
3. If only one parent applies, secure a notarized consent letter from the non‑accompanying parent.
4. For dependents 14 or older, prepare for biometrics after IRCC issues instructions.
5. For any child who lived outside Canada for six or more months after turning 18, order police certificates early.
6. Complete the sponsor’s application and the child’s permanent residence forms, then submit both together online and pay the required fees.

Families who meet the rules but feel unsure about a certain document — especially in complicated custody or adoption cases — can still move forward while seeking legal help to fill any gaps. IRCC will contact applicants if it needs more evidence, but the strongest files are those that address custody and consent up front with clear, notarized documents.

IRCC’s message in 2025 is steady: Family Class sponsorship offers a reliable route to bring a dependent child to Canada as a permanent resident, provided the file is complete, honest, and timely. Once approved, a sponsored child becomes a permanent resident with the right to live, study, and work in Canada and to apply for a PR card after landing. Families who plan carefully and submit a clean, well‑organized file give themselves the best chance to reunite sooner rather than later.