Checking your eligibility to sponsor an orphaned minor
If you wish to sponsor an orphaned minor who is your brother, sister, nephew, niece or grandchild, you must meet the following conditions.
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 orphaned minor 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 orphaned minoryou want to sponsor;
- The other requirements that the orphaned minor you want to sponsor must comply with to obtain permanent residence.
Conditions that the orphaned minor you sponsor must comply with
You must check whether you and the child you want to sponsor complies with the conditions of the family reunification category.
Demonstrating your financial capacity
You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to meet the needs of the person you sponsor and that person’s family members.
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.
Psychosocial assessment
After analyzing your application and establishing that you have sufficient financial resources, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (Ministry) will ask you to undergo a psychosocial assessment. The assessment will make it possible to verify that you are able to take care of the minor child you want to sponsor.
With your consent, the MIFI will submit a request to a health and social service agency in your area to have you undergo an assessment. You will be required to pay the fees charged by that agency for the psychosocial assessment.
Undertaking to apply for a tutorship judgment
You must undertake to apply to the Superior Court of Québec, within 90 days of the minor's arrival in Québec, for the appointment of a tutor for the minor.
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: December 17, 2025