1. Home  
  2. Immigration  
  3. Sponsor a family member  
  4. Sponsoring an orphaned minor  
  5. Understanding the responsibilities and obligations related to the undertaking

Understanding the responsibilities and obligations related to the undertaking

An undertaking is a contract that binds you to the person you sponsor and to that person’s accompanying family members.

You then have responsibilities and obligations to honour for the duration of your undertaking. This is why your undertaking must be taken seriously.

Term of undertaking

The term of your undertaking varies depending on the age of the sponsored orphaned child.

Child under age 16  
Minimum age 10, up to age 18. The longer of the two periods is chosen. 

Child age 16 or over 
Minimum 3 years, or up to age 25. The longer of the two periods is chosen.

General notice

You cannot terminate an undertaking once the person you are sponsoring has obtained a permanent residence visa or confirmation of permanent residence.

You must honour your undertaking for its entire term, regardless of the circumstances, for example even if: 

  • your  financial situation deteriorates
  • you go through a separation or a divorce 
  • the  person you sponsor obtains Canadian citizenship 
  • you or the sponsored person move(s) to another province

Your responsibilities to the sponsored person

You have obligations to the person you sponsor and that person’s family members, whether they accompany the sponsored person or not. Your obligations begin as soon as they become permanent residents.

Financial obligations

You must meet the basic needs of the person you sponsor and that person's family members, whether they accompany the sponsored person or not.

This obligation applies for the entire term of your undertaking.

The costs of providing for the basic needs of the sponsored persons include, among others:

Settlement and establishment costs in Québec

  • housing
  • furniture
  • travel
  • food
  • clothing
  • Health-related costs

Health-related costs not covered by an insurance plan:

  • health care and services
  • prescription drugs

Employment integration costs

  • Expenses not covered by a government program to prepare and help the sponsored individuals find a job or enter the job market.

Consequences of not meeting your financial obligations

You will be required to reimburse all sums if the person you are sponsoring or an accompanying family member receives government assistance in the form of:

  • Last-resort financial assistance (social assistance);
  • Special benefits, e.g., glasses, dental treatment, hearing aids.

Support in integration approaches

You undertake to provide the necessary support to the person you are sponsoring and that person's family members in their integration approaches. In particular, you must provide them with assistance and support to:

  • Enrolling children in school;
  • Learn French or enroll in French courses;
  • Access public services;
  • look for a job or make approaches for recognition of studies outside Québec
  • participate in community life in Québec

The sponsored person's responsibilities to you

The sponsored person must inform you:

  • How his or her basic needs are satisfied;
  • Any change of address, if he or she does not live with you; 
  • Any approach with the aim of obtaining financial assistance, particularly government assistance.

Previous



Next


Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration

Last update: February 23, 2023

Comments

Was the information on this page useful to you?
General notice

You have questions or require additional information?

Please contact Services Québec