According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a dependent child must be under the age of 22. If your child is 23 years old, they cannot be included as a dependent on your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). They must submit an entirely separate, independent application and pay their own $100 CAD processing fee.
Planning a family trip to Canada is an exciting experience, whether you are visiting the Rocky Mountains in Alberta or exploring downtown Toronto. 💼 However, navigating the IRCC forms can quickly become confusing when travelling with adult children. Many parents assume that as long as their child is a university student or still living at home, they can simply be added to the family visa application. Unfortunately, Canadian immigration law does not view family units the same way that parents do.
In Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act has a very strict definition of a “dependent child.” To be included on a parent’s application, a child must be strictly under 22 years of age and not have a spouse or common-law partner. Once your child celebrates their 22nd birthday, they cross the legal threshold into adulthood for immigration purposes. They must prove to the Canadian government that they are a genuine visitor in their own right, with their own financial means and ties to their home country.
Step-by-Step Process for Your Adult Child’s Application
Even though your 23-year-old child must apply independently, you can still travel together. 📍 Most families in this situation submit their applications at the same time and group them together in the IRCC online portal so the visa officer knows you are on a family trip. Here is how your adult child should prepare their application.
Step 1: Creating an Independent IRCC Portal Account
Your child must log into the IRCC secure portal using their own email address and create a separate application for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). While you can help them fill out the forms, they are legally the primary applicant. They will need to sign their own IMM 5257 form electronically.
Step 2: Proving Their Own Financial Support
Because your child is an adult, IRCC expects them to have their own money. 💰 However, if they are a student or recently graduated, they may not have sufficient savings. In this case, you can provide a signed “Letter of Financial Support” explicitly stating that you will cover all their expenses in Canada. You must attach your own bank statements, tax returns, and employment letters to their application to prove you have the funds to support them.
Step 3: Establishing Strong Ties to the Home Country
This is the most critical step for young adults. Visa officers heavily scrutinize 20-somethings because they are prime candidates for overstaying and working illegally. Your 23-year-old must prove they have a compelling reason to leave Canada after the trip. They should include a letter from their university confirming they are enrolled in classes, or a letter from their employer granting them approved vacation time.
Step 4: Writing a Clear Purpose of Travel Letter
Your child should draft a cover letter explaining the trip. 📩 They must clarify that they are travelling to Canada with you for a family vacation, list the itinerary (e.g., visiting Niagara Falls, staying in a hotel in Vancouver), and mention that your application is being submitted simultaneously.
Step 5: Grouping the Applications
When applying online, the IRCC system will ask if you are applying with family members. While you cannot put your 23-year-old inside your own application, your child can indicate in their portal that they are travelling as part of a family group. Often, providing the application number of the parent’s file in the child’s cover letter helps the IRCC officer process the entire family’s visas together.
Step 6: Submitting Biometrics
After paying the fees and submitting the application, your adult child will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). 💮 They must take this letter to their nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) to have their fingerprints and photograph taken. You can book your biometrics appointments for the same day so you can visit the VAC together.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Applying for visas as a family means paying individual fees for every adult member. 💰 As of May 2026, the IRCC processing fees must be paid online via credit card. Here is the breakdown in CAD for your 23-year-old’s independent application:
- Visitor Visa (TRV) Fee: The mandatory processing fee for a standard tourist visa is $100.
- Biometrics Fee: The cost to submit fingerprints and a photo is $85 per person (or a maximum of $170 for a family applying together).
- Passport Transmission Fee: If approved, the local VAC may charge a small courier fee (usually $20 to $40) to stamp the passport.
| Applicant Type | Application Method | Government Fees (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Child Under 22 | Included as a dependent in parent’s portal | $100 TRV + $85 Biometrics |
| Child 22 or Older | Separate independent IRCC portal application | $100 TRV + $85 Biometrics |
| Parent (Primary) | Primary applicant in parent’s portal | $100 TRV + $85 Biometrics |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Visitor visa processing times vary drastically depending on your country of citizenship. 🕒 Because your 23-year-old child’s application is separate, it is possible (though uncommon) for their visa to be processed slightly faster or slower than yours. On average, standard TRV processing takes between 30 to 90 days. Always apply at least 3 to 4 months before your planned flight to Toronto or Vancouver to account for any IRCC backlogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my 23-year-old child has a medical disability?
There is one strict exception. If your child is 22 or older but has depended substantially on your financial support since before the age of 22 due to a physical or mental condition, IRCC still considers them a dependent. You must provide extensive medical documentation to prove this exception applies.
Can I just transfer funds to my child’s bank account to show proof?
Visa officers are trained to spot “sudden deposits.” If you transfer $10,000 to your 23-year-old’s account a week before applying, the officer will likely refuse the visa because the money does not legitimately belong to them. It is far safer to provide a Letter of Financial Support accompanied by your own established bank statements.
Does my adult child need an eTA or a TRV?
It depends entirely on the passport they hold. If they hold a passport from a visa-exempt country (like the UK or Japan), they only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which costs $7 CAD and is processed in minutes. If they are from a visa-required country, they need the full TRV.
Will my child’s visa be denied if they are unemployed?
Being an unemployed young adult is a red flag for IRCC, as it shows weak ties to the home country. To overcome this, they must heavily emphasize other ties, such as ongoing university enrollment, property ownership, or immediate family members remaining behind, along with your solid financial guarantee.
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