Can I include my spouse's children in the sponsorship application?

Yes. When you sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, you can generally include their dependent children in the same application. A dependent child is defined under federal immigration regulations — typically an unmarried child under 22 years old, though there are exceptions for children who are full-time students or who have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from supporting themselves financially.

Including dependants in the application means they are assessed as part of the same family class sponsorship. Each dependent child must also be admissible to Canada, which includes medical and background checks. If a dependent child is inadmissible, it can affect the entire application under certain circumstances — a concept IRCC sometimes calls "accompanying family members."

It is critical to disclose all dependent children at the time of application, even if you do not intend to bring them to Canada right away. Failing to disclose a dependent child can constitute misrepresentation and result in serious immigration consequences, including bars on future applications. An immigration lawyer can help you understand who qualifies as a dependent and the implications of including or not including particular family members.