You will be required to sign an "undertaking" making you legally responsible for the family member you are sponsoring. If that family member should need government social assistance, you will have to repay this money.

The undertaking will stay in effect for a period of time based on the family member you are sponsoring and will not be cancelled even if circumstances change (i.e. if the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen, if you divorce or separate, if you have financial problems).

 

The length of the undertaking you will be required to sign will depend on the family member you are sponsoring and, in the case of children, their age:

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Sponsored person                                                                                             Length of undertaking (excluding Quebec)

Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner                                                 3 years

Dependent child                                                                                                        10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first

Dependent child 22 years of age or older                                                               3 years

Parent or grandparent                                                                                               20 years

Other relative                                                                                                             10 years

 

 

 

For Quebec residents, the length of the undertaking also depends on the family member you are sponsoring and, in the case of children, their age:

Sponsored person                                                                                              Length of undertaking

Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner                                                 3 years

Dependent child under 16 years of age                                                                  Minimum 10 years (or until age 18), whichever is longer

Dependent child 16 years of age and older                                                            Minimum 3 years (or until age 25), whichever is longer

Other relatives                                                                                                           10 years

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Dependent Child Sponsorship

You can sponsor your dependent children, whether natural or adopted, to live with you as permanent residents in Canada.

 

Children must meet the following definition of a dependent child to be eligible for sponsorship:

• A child is considered a dependent if he or she is not married or in a common-law relationship and is under 22 years of age.

• If a child is over 22 years of age, they may be considered a dependent if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves.

 

To be eligible under this program, you:

• and your child abroad must be approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to receive a visa,

• must prove your relationship with the child you are sponsoring, either by a birth or adoption certificate.

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