Tips on Sponsoring a Dependent Child or Other

Submitting an application to sponsor your dependent child can be a frustrating endeavour without the right support. Many of our clients have an easy enough time locating application forms online but have no idea where to start with respect to gathering documents.

Akrami & Associates will guide you every step of the way with this.

If you intend on submitting your application without the support of a representative, there are a couple of factors you should keep in mind.

Eligibility

You may not be eligible to be a sponsor if you:

• did not meet the terms of a sponsorship agreement in the past,
• did not pay alimony or child support even though a court ordered it,
• get government financial help for reasons other than being disabled,
• were convicted of an offence

Finances

Though there are no financial requirements to sponsor your dependent child or any preclusion therein, your finances will still be assessed. An immigration officer should be satisfied, based on your income/savings/assets, that you will be financially capable of supporting your child in Canada. An officer may refuse you based on the fact that he feels you will be unable to maintain your undertaking or promise to be financially responsible for your Common Law Partner for the allotted amount of time.

Documentation

The documentation you submit for sponsoring your child is somewhat more straightforward than other sponsorships in that so long as you meet the requirements of your eligibility to sponsor, and you and your child have a valid relationship, the documentation will speak for itself. However, if you are not the sole guardian, for example, and your child lives out of the country with the other parent, you will need to get consent from the other parent to remove that child from their home country. Beyond this, the standard civil documents are applicable, such as the child’s birth certificate.

If you are a citizen of Canada, your child may be eligible for citizenship by naturalization.