Verifying your eligibility to sponsor a dependent child
Important notice
The maximum number of undertaking applications to sponsor a spouse, a common-law spouse, a conjugal partner or a dependent child aged 18 or over has been reached for the period June 26, 2024 to June 25, 2026. This means that:
- The Ministère is not receiving any new undertaking applications for these family members until June 25, 2026;
- You may submit an undertaking application for these family members when a new application reception period opens.
The Ministère is continuing to receive undertaking applications for other family members under the family reunification category.
For more information, consult this page.
Confirmation from the Government of Canada of your eligibility as a guarantor
You must have submitted a sponsorship application in advance to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You must then have received a letter from IRCC that:
- Was sent to you, not to the person you want to sponsor;
- Indicates that you are eligible for the sponsorship;
- Invites you to continue the steps you are taking with the Gouvernement du Québec.
Note that, at this stage, IRCC has, in general, recognized your eligibility as a sponsor, but has not yet verified:
- The family relationship between you and the person you want to sponsor;
- The other requirements that the person you want to sponsor must comply with to obtain permanent residence.
Conditions that the person you sponsor must comply with
You must make sure that the child you wish to sponsor meets the requirements of h the conditions of the family reunification category for sponsoring a dependent child.
Place of residence
You must live in Québec. If you are a Canadian citizen, you may reside abroad at the time of application, but you must undertake to reside in Québec when your dependent child becomes a permanent resident.
Financial capacity
If the dependent child you wish to sponsor also has a dependent child, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to comply with your undertaking.
If your dependent child does not have a dependent child, you do not have to demonstrate your financial capacity.
Child already adopted
If you wish to sponsor a dependent child you have already adopted, you must :
- Demonstrate that the adoption was finalized abroad before you took up residence in Québec ;
- Submit the adoption judgment obtained abroad. To be legally recognized in Québec, a child's adoption must be considered a full adoption. From a legal standpoint, a full adoption terminates the relationship (filiation) between the child and his or her family of origin. The adopted child ceases to belong to his or her family of origin.
Simple adoptions are not accepted, i.e. adoptions in which the child retains a kinship link (filiation) with their family of origin despite being placed in the care of an adoptive family.
Parental consent
If the dependent child is under 18 and the parent who holds or exercises parental authority is not accompanying the child to Québec, you must obtain their written authorization for the child to settle in Québec.
Financial obligations
If you have already made a sponsorship undertaking or undertakings, you must demonstrate that:
- You have honoured your financial obligations;
- If applicable, you have repaid to the Gouvernement du Québec or another province any sum that was disbursed to this person as last resort financial assistance (social assistance).
Criminal record
You must not have been convicted in Canada or abroad of any of the following:
- A sexual offence;
- An attempt or threat to commit a sexual offence;
- An offence resulting in bodily harm against a close friend or relative;
- An offence that is either attempted or threatened, resulting in bodily harm against a close friend or relative
- A violent crime;
- An attempt to commit a violent criminal act.
If you have been convicted of any of these offences, you must:
- Have obtained a final acquittal;
- Or have obtained a suspension of your criminal record;
- Or have completed your sentence at least five years prior to submitting your application.
Next
Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: from 8:00 to 16:00
Wednesday: from 10:00 to 16:30
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Greater Montréal: 514-864-9191
Elsewhere in Québec (Toll free): 1-877-864-9191
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Last update: February 23, 2026