Family sponsorship
Sponsoring your dependent child from Quebec: IRCC first, then the MIFI
Who counts as a dependent, the age lock-in date, the other parent's consent, and why the 2026–2028 Quebec cap doesn't apply to children.
Many parents come to Quebec first, settle, get permanent residence, and only then bring a child who stayed behind with family. If that's you, sponsoring your child is a two-government process (IRCC, then Quebec's immigration ministry, the MIFI), and in 2026 it has one clear advantage over sponsoring a spouse or parent: no cap and no waiting calendar on the Quebec side. Based on IRCC and Québec.ca pages checked on October 17, 2026.
Does your child count as a dependent?
- Under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship; or
- 22 or older, financially dependent on a parent without interruption since before age 22, and unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental condition.
The age is "locked in" on the date IRCC receives the complete permanent residence application. If your child is close to 22, a complete package filed now matters more than a perfect package filed in three months.
Check one thing before anything else: a child born abroad to a Canadian citizen may already be a citizen. IRCC is clear that you can't sponsor a child for permanent residence if they're already a citizen.
Can you sponsor?
You must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian, and live in Canada. Permanent residents living abroad can't sponsor; citizens living abroad must show they'll live in Canada when the child becomes a permanent resident. In Quebec, you must also live in Quebec (or, as a citizen abroad, commit to living there).
Common barriers include being in prison, owing an immigration loan, receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability, certain convictions, a removal order, or already having a pending application for the same child. IRCC notes that some other barriers (unpaid support, undischarged bankruptcy, a broken sponsorship agreement) don't apply when you sponsor a child in Quebec.
There's no income requirement, unless your child has a dependent child of their own.
Who's the applicant?
When you sponsor only your child, the child is the principal applicant. You must prove that the other parent or legal guardian agrees to the child immigrating to Canada. If your child has children, they must be declared, whether they come or not. Adopted children qualify through a full adoption (adoption plénière); Quebec asks for proof that a foreign adoption was finalized before you were domiciled in Quebec.
The order of steps
| Step | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sponsorship and PR application | IRCC | Proof of parentage, custody and consent documents |
| 2. Letter to the sponsor | IRCC | Addressed to you, confirming you're eligible and inviting you to continue with Quebec |
| 3. Undertaking application | MIFI | Québec.ca forms, IRCC's letter, all documents; by mail only, one application per envelope |
| 4. Final review and decision | IRCC | Identity, relationship, medical and security checks on the child |
Don't send the undertaking to Quebec early: IRCC warns that Quebec won't process it if you didn't wait for IRCC's confirmation.
The 2026–2028 Quebec cap doesn't apply to children
From July 2, 2026 to June 30, 2028, the MIFI accepts at most 13,300 undertakings for spouses and partners and 2,400 for parents, grandparents and other relatives, on a calendar based on the date of IRCC's letter. Dependent children are exempt from both the cap and the calendar: their undertaking can be received at any time. Adding a dependent child to an undertaking that's already pending is exempt too.
How long you're responsible
Under Quebec's undertaking: for a child under 16, at least 10 years or until age 18; for a child 16 or older, at least 3 years or until age 25. The longer period applies. An adult child signs a statement confirming they understand the undertaking.
See our family sponsorship page for how we prepare both parts, or describe your situation and book a consultation. Sponsoring your spouse at the same time? Read about the spousal undertaking process and cap.
Frequently asked questions
My child wasn't declared when I immigrated. Can I still sponsor them?
That's a situation to have analyzed before filing anything. It can seriously affect eligibility; see our complex cases page.
The other parent won't sign. What now?
IRCC asks for proof of consent or legal authority, such as a custody order. Talk to a family lawyer in the child's country about custody; immigration follows from it.
Can I send the Quebec undertaking at the same time as the federal file?
No. Wait for IRCC's letter inviting you to continue with Quebec.
Official sources
Official pages consulted on October 17, 2026:
- IRCC — Sponsor your spouse, partner or child: eligibility
- IRCC — Who you can sponsor
- Québec — Parrainer un enfant à charge
- Québec — Règles de réception des demandes d’engagement
More in this series
- Sponsoring a spouse in Quebec: how the undertaking fits the federal process
- Sponsoring a spouse or partner to Quebec: who can sponsor, and who can be sponsored
- Sponsoring parents and grandparents when you live in Quebec: where things stand in 2026
- Sponsorship refusal: appealing to the Immigration Appeal Division
- The Quebec sponsorship undertaking: what the sponsor is agreeing to
About this guide
Written for Visa Canada Rouge, a Montreal immigration consultancy led by Moadh Rahmaoui, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB, licence R534941, listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration requirements, fees and processing times change often: check them on the official websites (canada.ca, quebec.ca) when you apply. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Every file is different.
This guide covers the general rules. To find out what applies to you, talk to a regulated consultant.