Eligibility quiz
Do you have a parent, or a parent’s spouse or common-law partner, who is willing to sponsor you?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Canada
Permanent residents can live in Canada indefinitely and move to any province.
They can also earn a living in any province.
Study in Canada
Permanent residents can study anywhere in Canada, subject to school and provincial rules.
Work in Canada
Permanent residents can work for any employer and get a Social Insurance Number for work.
Job and licensing rules apply, and some jobs needing high-level security clearance are not open to permanent residents.
Travel and return
Permanent residents can travel outside Canada and return.
To return by a commercial carrier, they normally need a valid permanent resident card and a passport or refugee travel document.
Without a valid card, they generally need a permanent resident travel document.
Use public services
Permanent residents have protection under Canadian law and can use courts and public services on the same general basis as other residents.
Use public healthcare
Permanent residents can apply for public health insurance.
Coverage and eligibility vary by province or territory, and some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months.
Receive social benefits
Permanent residents can receive most social benefits available to Canadian citizens.
Payments are not automatic; eligibility depends on the program and factors such as where the person lives, income and age.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Download the application forms
Download the dependent-child checklist IMM 5534 and the forms linked from it. You need a separate application for each child being sponsored.
Download the checklistGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create or sign in to your Permanent Residence Portal account and complete the permanent-residence forms; your sponsor completes the sponsor forms. You and your sponsor sign IMM 1344 as instructed; if you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs for you.
Fill in your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in a Canada dependent-child sponsorship application in the Permanent Residence Portal?”
Upload your documents
Scan and upload your checklist, completed forms, photos and supporting documents in checklist order. Do not mail a duplicate package unless IRCC asks you to.
Upload your documentsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I upload documents for Canada dependent-child sponsorship in the Permanent Residence Portal?”
Pay the fees online
Pay the applicable sponsorship, processing and biometrics fees through IRCC’s online payment service, as well as the permanent-residence fee if you choose or need to pay it before the application is finalized. Upload your payment receipt to your application.
Pay the feesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay Canada dependent-child sponsorship fees online?”
Submit your application
Submit your sponsorship and permanent-residence applications together through the Permanent Residence Portal. IRCC may return an incomplete application or one with missing fees for you to correct and resubmit.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Canada dependent-child sponsorship application in the Permanent Residence Portal?”
Book a biometrics appointment
When IRCC asks for biometrics, you and any family members who need to give them should book appointments at an official collection location. Follow the deadline in your request.
Book biometrics appointmentsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a biometrics appointment for Canada dependent-child sponsorship?”
Give your biometrics
You and any family members asked for biometrics should attend your appointments with your request letters and passports.
Find biometrics instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to a biometrics appointment for Canada dependent-child sponsorship?”
Complete your medical examination
When IRCC instructs you, have your immigration medical examination with an IRCC-approved doctor. Any family members asked to have an examination should do the same.
Find an approved doctorSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I find an approved doctor for a Canada dependent-child sponsorship medical examination?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application’s progress and respond by the deadlines if IRCC asks you or your sponsor for police certificates, other documents, an interview or a passport.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Canada dependent-child sponsorship application?”
Confirm your permanent residence
If you are outside Canada, follow IRCC’s instructions to complete the visa and confirmation process, then travel with the required documents. If you are in Canada, follow IRCC’s instructions for confirming your permanent residence there.
Find confirmation instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I confirm permanent residence after Canada dependent-child sponsorship is approved?”
Provide your address and photo
After you become a permanent resident, provide a Canadian address and photo when IRCC asks for them. IRCC starts your first permanent resident card process after confirmation, so you do not need to make a separate application for your first card.
Find card instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I provide an address and photo for my first Canada permanent resident card after dependent-child sponsorship?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your long-form birth certificate showing your parents’ names from the office that issued it. If you were adopted, provide your adoption papers as proof of your relationship to your parent.
Parent’s residence proof
Provide proof that your sponsoring parent lives in Canada. If your Canadian citizen parent lives abroad, provide evidence that they intend to live in Canada when you become a permanent resident.
Parent’s status records
Provide proof that your sponsoring parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, such as their Canadian citizenship certificate or proof of permanent residence. Also provide proof of your parent’s identity as requested in the checklist.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Time spent in Canada
To keep permanent residence, holders must spend at least 730 days in Canada during the preceding five years.
The days do not have to be continuous, and some time abroad can count in limited circumstances.
Voting and office limits
Permanent residents cannot vote or run for political office.
Permanent residence can end
Permanent residence can end by official decision, giving it up voluntarily, a removal order taking effect, or becoming a Canadian citizen.
Falling short of the required time in Canada does not end it automatically; an official decision is needed.
An expired permanent resident card alone does not end the status.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Indian Passport, OCI, PCC & Visa Services.
English Facebook group for people interested in Canadian visas and citizenship
Request to joinr/DFImmigrationCanada
English Reddit group for people interested in Canadian visas and citizenship
Join on RedditCAPAGO Algérie - VISA FRANCE SHENGEN CANADA
French Facebook group for people interested in Canadian visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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