What is a minor child?

The age of majority in most provinces and territories in Canada is either 18 or 19. For example, in Ontario, the age of majority is 18, and in British Columbia, it is 19. 

However, there are two exceptions—Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador—where the age of majority is 16. 

What is the age limit when sponsoring a child to immigrate to Canada?

If you want to sponsor your child to apply for permanent residency in Canada, the age limit for dependent children is not based on age of majority. For immigration purposes, the age limit is “under 22.” To qualify, a dependent child under 22 cannot have a spouse or a common-law partner.

Children who are 22 or older qualify as dependants if they’re unable to support themselves financially due to a mental or physical condition, and they have depended on their parents for financial support since before turning 22. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has an online tool to check if your child qualifies as a dependant.

Note that if you are a Canadian citizen, your child may also be a Canadian citizen, even if they were born in another country. Learn more on the IRCC website.

Example: Angela and Luis are newcomers to Canada with two children, ages 3 and 5. Their children were born in the Philippines but immigrated to Canada as permanent residents along with their parents. This was possible because, as minors, both children were part of Angela and Luis’ immigration application.

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Read more about families:

• What is the RESP contribution deadline?
  An RESP can stay open for up to 35 years, but here’s why you still need to pay attention to the annual deadline: maximizing government RESP grants.
• Three reasons to have a will and estate plan
  Creating a will and estate plan may not be the most romantic gesture, but it’s an essential demonstration of commitment.
• CCB payment dates, and more to know about the Canada Child Benefit
  Parents, here are the CCB payment dates for this year, along with how much you can expect to receive each month.
• The best credit cards for families in Canada
  We’ve rounded up the credit cards that are uniquely suited to family spending.
• The best credit cards for newcomers to Canada
  These are our favourite rewards and low-interest card options for newcomers without a long Canadian credit history.

About MoneySense Editors

MoneySense editors and journalists work closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. Since 1999, our award-winning magazine has helped Canadians navigate money matters.

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