Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?

Yes: under 22 with no spouse or partner counts as a dependent child

On what you answered, your child qualifies as a dependent child. The age that counts is the child's age on the day IRCC receives your complete application.

“they’re under 22 years old and they don’t have a spouse or common-law partner”

“With the exception of age, the dependent child must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.”

“You can sponsor a child if they’re not inadmissible to Canada and qualify as a dependant .”

“If your child has a child of their own (your grandchild), you must declare your grandchild as a dependant in the application, whether they are coming to Canada or not.”

Yes: 22 or older can count, because of the condition and the dependence since before 22

“they’re unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition”

“they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22”

“With the exception of age, the dependent child must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.”

“You can sponsor a child if they’re not inadmissible to Canada and qualify as a dependant .”

Yes: the age is locked in on the day IRCC received your complete application

“Your child or the child of your spouse or common-law partner can be considered a dependent child if that child meets the requirements below on the day we receive your complete application:”

“With the exception of age, dependants must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.”

“If your child’s age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, a previous definition of dependent children may apply.”

Not as a dependent child: under 22, but with a spouse or partner

“they’re under 22 years old and they don’t have a spouse or common-law partner”

“With the exception of age, the dependent child must continue to meet these requirements until we finish processing your application.”

Not as a dependent child: 22 or older without a condition that keeps them dependent

“they’re under 22 years old and they don’t have a spouse or common-law partner”

“they’re unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition”

“they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22”

IRCC: check if a child qualifies as a dependant (a few questions)

Not as a dependent child: the dependence must go back to before age 22

“they have depended on their parents for financial support since before the age of 22”

“they’re unable to financially support themselves because of a mental or physical condition”

It depends on the child's age and situation on the day IRCC receives the complete application

“Your child or the child of your spouse or common-law partner can be considered a dependent child if that child meets the requirements below on the day we receive your complete application:”

“If your child’s age was locked in on or before October 23, 2017, a previous definition of dependent children may apply.”

IRCC: check if a child qualifies as a dependant (a few questions)

Not as a dependent child: the child must be yours or your spouse's or partner's

“they’re your biological or adopted child (or your spouse or partner’s biological or adopted child)”

Yes, through IRCC's separate program to sponsor a child adopted from abroad

“This is a program to sponsor an adopted child from another country for permanent residence.”

IRCC: immigration process for an adopted child

Yes, as an orphaned relative (not as your dependent child), if they meet all of IRCC's requirements

“You can sponsor an orphaned brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild only if they meet all of these requirements:”

“they’re related to you by blood or adoption”

“they’re under 18 years old”

“both their parents have passed away”

“they’re single (not married or in a common-law relationship)”

“You can’t sponsor them if ... 1 or both of their parents is still alive ... no one knows where their parents are ... their parents abandoned them”

IRCC: sponsor your relatives

No need: a child who is already a citizen cannot be sponsored

“You can’t sponsor your child for permanent residence if they’re already a citizen.”

“If you’re a Canadian citizen, your child may also be a citizen, even if they weren’t born in Canada.”

First check whether your child is already a Canadian citizen

“If you’re a Canadian citizen, your child may also be a citizen, even if they weren’t born in Canada.”

“You can’t sponsor your child for permanent residence if they’re already a citizen.”

IRCC: check if you may already be a citizen

Not for a child who was not declared and examined when you became a permanent resident

“The public policy doesn’t apply to applications submitted after September 10, 2026 . Previously undeclared family members are not eligible for family sponsorship.”

“We’ll continue to apply the public policy to eligible applications we received between May 31, 2019 and September 10, 2026 .”

IRCC: the public policy for undeclared family members (expired)

Not while you are a permanent resident living outside Canada

“If you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada, you can’t sponsor.”

“If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the people you’re sponsoring become permanent residents.”

Only a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian can sponsor

“are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada under the Canadian Indian Act”

Yes: a new family member, such as a newborn child, can be added as a dependant during processing

This is from IRCC's instructions to its own officers, posted for stakeholders. IRCC also asks you to tell it about a birth or adoption as soon as it happens; its Help Centre explains how to ask (linked).

“During processing, a principal applicant can add a new family member as a dependant, such as a newborn child or, in the case of a parent or grandparent, a new partner.”

“Applicable fees must be paid, and the new applicant must pass medical and background checks.”

IRCC Help Centre: how can I include a dependent child on my application?