When does income matter?
Different from other family sponsorship programs, sponsoring a dependent child usually does not require meeting a minimum income threshold. However, there is an important exception. You must meet Canada’s minimum necessary income requirement if the dependent child you’re sponsoring has one or more dependent children of their own.
In those situations, IRCC evaluates whether you have sufficient income to support yourself, your dependent child; and any accompanying dependents.
Understanding your financial commitment
Sponsorship is a legal commitment and not just an application. When you sign the sponsorship undertaking, you agree to provide your child’s basic needs over the required support period.
These needs generally include: food, housing, clothing, everyday living expenses, and other essential necessities not covered through public health care.
The length of the undertaking depends on your child’s age. For 22-year-old or younger, you should commit 10 years or up to when the child turns 25, whichever comes first. For kids above 22-year-old, you should commit 3 years. Permanent residents sponsored under this program may qualify for publicly funded provincial or territorial health insurance once they become eligible.
If your sponsored child draws social assistance benefits during the undertaking period for reasons not exempted by law, the government can require you to repay those benefits.
How to apply
The sponsorship process begins by completing IRCC’s sponsorship application package for spouses, partners, and dependent children. When preparing your application:
- Select “My dependent child” as the person you’re sponsoring.
- Choose the country where your child currently lives to receive the correct document checklist and forms.
- Complete every required form carefully and include all requested supporting documents.
Applications containing missing information, unsigned forms, or incorrect documentation may be delayed or returned.
Should you hire an immigration representative?
Whether you need a representative or not depends on the complexity of your situation. For instance, if you need to prove dependency because of a physical or mental condition, you may decide to work with an authorized representative.
Under Canadian law, paid immigration representatives must be lawyers or notaries licensed by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulator (where applicable). The representatives may also be licensed immigration consultants under the regulation of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
If someone assists with your application, whether they are paid or unpaid, you must disclose their involvement using the appropriate IRCC representative form.
Estimated processing times
Processing times vary depending on where your child is living when the application is submitted.
The following estimates were current as of June 10, 2026.
| Country of Residence | Estimated Time |
| Canada | 19 months |
| India | 7 Months |
| Nigeria | 19 months |
| Philippines | 12 months |
| People’s Republic of China | 11 months |
Processing times are estimates only and may change as IRCC updates its workload and application volumes.
