In the realm of immigration, timing plays a crucial role. This applies not only to the primary applicant but also to their dependents. Today, we aim to highlight the critical factors to bear in mind when adding dependent children to your Permanent Residency applications, and how timing can greatly affect their eligibility.
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Is it possible for my child to be considered a dependent in my application for Canadian Permanent Residency?
Firstly, let’s establish whether your child can be categorized and added as a dependent in your PR application.
There are three primary factors to consider:
Age
If your child is under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship, they are considered a dependent.
Exemptions for Dependents Over 22
Children who are 22 or older can still qualify if they have relied on their parents financially since before turning 22 and are unable to support themselves due to a physical or mental condition.
Marital Status
Your child must be unmarried and not in a common-law relationship during the processing of the application. If they are single, divorced, or widowed, they are eligible as long as they maintain that status until becoming a permanent resident.
A common question from our clients is about the situation with adopted children.
Both biological and adopted children can be considered dependent. However, evidence of the parent-child relationship must be provided through documents such as birth certificates, baptismal certificates, documents proving assisted human reproduction technologies, adoption orders, among others.
It’s important to note that accompanying dependent children of spouses, common-law partners, and conjugal partners can also be included in the application.
In cases involving custody disputes with any of your dependents, it’s crucial to understand that IRCC will require proof of permission for the child to be relocated from their current jurisdiction.
If you’re considering immigrating to Canada and need guidance and support, you’ve come to the right place! We are licensed and have successfully assisted applicants from over 50 nationalities in applying for Canadian immigration through Studies, Working, Sponsorship, and Business. Receive a FREE email assessment by clicking here.
What occurs if your child is nearing their 22nd birthday or reaches 22 during the processing of the PR application?
This is when IRCC refers to what is known as the “lock-in date”. When you apply for immigration, the age of your dependent children, whether they’re accompanying you or staying behind, is fixed or “locked in” on the date your application is fully received. This means that for family class and most applications at the Federal level, your child’s age is determined based on the day your complete application package, including all required documents and fees, is received, as long as they meet the age and marital status requirements.
For provincial programs, the ages of children are determined based on when the province receives the principal applicant’s complete nomination application.
If you’re considering immigrating to Canada and need guidance and support, you’ve come to the right place! We are licensed and have successfully assisted applicants from more than 50 nationalities in applying for Canadian immigration through Studies, Working, Sponsorship, and Business. Receive a FREE email assessment by clicking here.
The Canada Startup Visa Option
Here’s an extra piece of advice for those interested in Business immigration: the Startup Visa program offers one of the most reliable ways to secure the age of your dependent children, particularly as they approach the age threshold. This is because the process typically involves a quicker application and processing timeline, ensuring that your children’s ages are fixed at the time of application submission.
In summary, whether you’re considering family or business immigration routes, timing is crucial for your children. Get prepared and start early, especially if your child is nearing the age limit. Use these insights to seamlessly include them in your journey to a new life in Canada. We trust this information aids you in bringing your loved ones alongside you!
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If you’re considering immigrating, whether for the long term or temporarily, you’ve come to the right place! Our team is fluent in over +9 languages, and we assist applicants from over 50 different countries throughout their immigration process. Receive a FREE email assessment by clicking here.
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