DEPENDENT CHILD(REN) VISA

As part of Canada’s aim to foster family reunification, the Dependent Children visa allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are living in Canada to apply to sponsor their or their partner’s dependent or adopted children.

Sponsors must be able to show that their children are still dependent upon them and/or that the various requirements relating to the adoption of the children have been met. Once granted, dependent children will be given permanent residence and the right to join their sponsoring parent(s) in Canada.

In order to apply for the Dependent Children visa, prospective sponsor(s) must show that the child they are sponsoring is financially dependent on them and in most cases continuously enrolled in full-time studies at accredited educational institutions. Alternatively, they must be children who have been adopted or are in the process of being adopted. The sponsor parent must sign an undertaking to provide for the dependent child (ren)’s needs for the relevant period.

Any dependent children, who are granted permanent residence under the Family Class, will have the right to live, work and study in Canada indefinitely. Permanent residents can access Canada’s unique government-funded health care, subsidized education, language training programs, and assistance for finding employment. Additional benefits of Canadian permanent residence include eligibility for Canada Pension Plan Benefits, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the option to participate in retirement plans such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP). Together with the many freedoms associated with permanent residence is the ability to apply for Canadian citizenship.