Children’s Sponsorship is an immigration pathway that allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their children for permanent residency in Canada. The Child Sponsorship Program is part of Canada’s family reunification policy, enabling families to live together in Canada.

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and want to bring your biological or adopted children to Canada, the Children’s Sponsorship is the route for you. This program is part of the Family Class sponsorship system and is designed to make it easier for parents to reunite with their children.

Key Features of Children’s Sponsorship:

1. Eligibility to Sponsor a Child: To sponsor a child, the sponsor (the Canadian citizen or permanent resident) must meet the following criteria:
   • Age Requirement: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
   • Canadian Status: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
   • Ability to Support: The sponsor must be able to provide financial support for the child, ensuring the child does not require social assistance once they arrive in Canada.
   • No Criminal or Immigration Violations: The sponsor should not have a criminal record, particularly concerning violent or sexual crimes, or any immigration-related violations (e.g., previous failed sponsorships).
   • No Social Assistance: The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance, unless it is for a disability.
2. Eligibility of the Child: The child being sponsored must meet the following requirements:
   • Age: The child must be under the age of 22 at the time of application. If the child is over 22, they may still qualify as a dependent if they are financially dependent on the sponsor due to a physical or mental condition.
   • Relationship: The child must be a biological or legally adopted child of the sponsor.
     • For adopted children, the adoption must be legally recognized, and the child must be adopted in accordance with the legal requirements of both the home country and Canada.
   • Single: The child must be single (not married or in a common-law relationship).
   • Not a Risk to Canada: The child must not be inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as criminal activities or serious medical issues (e.g., contagious diseases or conditions that pose a public health risk).
3. Types of Child Sponsorship:
   • Biological Children: If you have a biological child (your son or daughter), you can sponsor them as long as they meet the eligibility requirements mentioned above.
   • Adopted Children: If you legally adopt a child, you can sponsor them under the Child Sponsorship Program, provided the adoption is valid and recognized by both Canadian law and the laws of the country where the adoption took place.
   • Dependent Children: If your child is over 22 but is financially dependent on you due to a mental or physical condition, they can still be considered a dependent for sponsorship purposes.
4. Proof of Relationship:
   • As with other family sponsorships, the sponsor must provide proof of the parent-child relationship. This can include:
     • Birth certificates (for biological children).
     • Adoption certificates (for adopted children).
     • Legal documents proving custody or guardianship (if applicable).

This is to ensure the relationship is genuine and legally recognized.

The Process of Sponsoring a Child:

1. Prepare the Application:
   • The sponsor must complete and submit a sponsorship application and a permanent residence application for the child.
   • The application forms will include detailed information about the sponsor and the child, including supporting documents like:
     • Proof of citizenship or permanent residency (for the sponsor).
     • Birth or adoption certificates (for the child).
     • Proof of financial support and the sponsor’s ability to support the child once they arrive in Canada.
     • Police clearance certificates, medical records, and other required documents.
2. Submit the Application:
   • Submit the complete application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The application should include both the sponsorship forms and the permanent residency application for the child.
   • Application fees need to be paid, including processing fees for the sponsor and the child, as well as the right of permanent residence fee for the child.
3. Processing Times:
   • Processing times for children’s sponsorship applications vary, but on average, it can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the visa office responsible for processing the application.
   • Processing times can be affected by factors such as missing documents, security checks, medical examinations, and the applicant’s country of residence.
4. Medical and Security Checks:
   • The child must undergo a medical examination as part of the application process. This is to ensure they do not have any serious medical conditions that could pose a health risk to Canada.
   • The child may also need to provide a police clearance certificate if they are over 18 years old or have lived in a country for an extended period.
5. Decision on the Application:
   • Once IRCC processes the application, a decision will be made. If the application is approved, the child will receive permanent resident status and can join their sponsor in Canada.
   • If the application is refused, the sponsor can appeal the decision, provided there are valid grounds for appeal.
6. Arrival in Canada:
   • Once approved, the child will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applying from outside Canada).
   • Upon arrival in Canada, the child will become a permanent resident and can enjoy the benefits of living in Canada, including access to healthcare, education, and social services.

Key Points to Remember:

• Age Limit: Children must be under 22 years old to be eligible for sponsorship unless they are dependent due to physical or mental conditions.
• Proof of Relationship: You must provide official documentation to prove the child is your biological or adopted child.
• Genuine Relationship: IRCC will assess the genuineness of the relationship to ensure that the child being sponsored is truly the sponsor’s dependent and not part of fraudulent or misrepresented claims.
• No Financial Minimum for Certain Cases: Unlike other family sponsorship categories, there is generally no minimum income requirement to sponsor a child, although sponsors must demonstrate they can financially support the child.
• Adoption Requirements: If sponsoring an adopted child, the adoption must be recognized by both Canada and the country where the child was adopted.

Conclusion:

Sponsoring a child for permanent residency is a wonderful way to reunite with your family and bring your children to Canada. If you meet the requirements and have all the necessary documentation, the process can be relatively straightforward. However, make sure to follow the application guidelines carefully to avoid delays.

If you need further details or have specific questions regarding the sponsorship process, feel free to ask! I’m happy to help!