IRCC NEWS RELEASE:

Temporary public policy regarding requests to process children aged 19 to 21 as dependants

A regulatory amendment to raise the age limit for dependent children from under 19 to under 22 was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on May 3, 2017, and came into force on October 24, 2017. The higher age limit applies to applications received on or after October 24, 2017. For applicants whose permanent residence application was received between August 1, 2014 and October 23, 2017, the under 19 definition of a dependent child continues to apply.

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the provisions of the Regulations listed below to foreign nationals who meet the following eligibility criteria and conditions:

A permanent residence application for a child can be made if the:

1. Child was 19, 20, or 21 as of May 3, 2017 (the date of final publication of the regulatory amendment) or as of date the parent’s permanent residence application was made, if received on or after May 3, 2017 and before October 24, 2017;
2. Parent or child had a permanent residence application that was either pending on May 3, 2017 or was received on or after May 3, 2017 and before October 24, 2017 (the child must have been previously identified as “additional family” on their parent’s application); 
3. Child is not a spouse/common-law partner; and, 
4. Child is not otherwise inadmissible.

The child can be:

1. Processed or added to an application (as a dependent child) if the permanent resident visa or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) had not been issued at the time the Department was notified of the intention to add the child; OR

2. Sponsored as a member of the Family Class once the parent is granted permanent residence.

Start and End dates

This public policy comes into effect on October 24, 2017 and ends once processing of all applications submitted under this public policy is complete.