October 30, 2017

Young Adult Children Can Now Qualify as Dependents

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) raised the age limit for dependent children in immigration applications to under 22 years of age, as of 24 October 2017. The increased age limit enables Canadians and permanent residents to bring their young adult children to Canada.

A child under 22 years of age can now be included as a dependent on his or her parent’s application as long as he or she is not married or in a common-law relationship. Furthermore, individuals who are 22 years of age and older can also be considered dependents if they were financially dependent on their parents before turning 22 years old and are not able to support themselves due to a physical or mental health condition.

This regulatory change does not apply retroactively to applications submitted after 1 August 2014 and before 24 October 2017.

As a result of this change, more immigrant children will now have the chance to study or work in Canada and be reunited with their families.