June 1, 2014
- Mesinschi Law Offices
On August 1, 2014 the Canadian Government will change the definition of a "Dependent Child" reducing the age to "under 19 years of age".
This change has long been discussed but final implementation has been approved and an effective date has been set. The change is purportedly to bring the immigration meaning of "dependent child" in line with the "age of majority" definition employed by most Canadian provinces for drinking and voting but otherwise seems to bear no basis in reality or good sense with respect to actual, financial, dependence.
In an economy where children are increasingly dependent on their parents for financial support for longer due to sky-rocketing housing, fuel, credit, and living expenses but, conversely, decreasing income levels the chance seems more motivated by political rather than economic or rational factors.
The change will not affect applications that have already been submitted and received by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Government of Canada has promised that special provisions will be made for multi-stage applications (student-to-permanent-resident applications, for example) where the first stage was completed under the old program.
The change will, however, effect any application that has not yet been submitted rendering some cases ineligible and requiring the child to qualify on their own under either academic or skilled-worker programs.
This change will prove devastating for divided families, particularly those where young -- financially dependent -- children remain in foreign countries without their parents. Given the harsh realities in some parts of the world this change could not have come at a worse time for most families.
If you, or someone you know, has an application which might be affected they MUST COMPLETE, SIGNED, GOVERNMENT FILING FEES PAID, AND FULLY SUBMITTED TO CIC NO LATER THAN JULY 21, 2014.
For existing clients whose required documentation is not received by this date, we will work with you to find alternative application categories for your dependent children over the age of 19.
(c) 2014. Mesinschi Law Offices.
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