Regulations have changed to raise the age of dependent children from “under  19” to “under  22”.

As of October 24, 2017, regulations have changed to raise the age of dependent children from “under  19” to “under  22”.

These instructions are specific to new applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on or after October  24, 2017.

To enhance family unity and reunification, and in recognition that many young adults remain with their parents longer , the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) have been amended to introduce a new definition of “dependent child”.

The only change in this new definition is that the maximum age of a dependent child has increased from 18 to 21. The definition retains the requirement for a dependent child to be unmarried and not in a common-law relationship and for overage children with a physical or mental condition to have been continually unable to financially support themselves since before turning 22.

The new definition applies to applications received on or after October  24, 2017. Applications received between August  1, 2014, and October  23, 2017, will be processed based on the previous definitions.

Previous definition: From August  1, 2014, to October  23, 2017, a dependent child was defined as a child under 19 who was not a spouse or common-law partner or a child 19 or older who was dependent on a parent due to a physical or mental condition.