As of January 1st, 2014, candidates applying for Canadian Immigration for children who are 19 or older will not be able to sponsor them through Family Sponsorship immigration. Instead, these children will have to apply for Canadian immigration individually.

Presently, a "dependent child" is considered to be so as long as she or she is under the age of 22. These dependents are automatically accepted into the country if their parents qualify to become permanent residents of Canada. Exceptions to this under-22-year-old rule include children who are married and are therefore considered to no longer be dependent on their parents. On the other hand, applicants who are older than 22 but are still financially dependent on their parents and are enrolled in full-time studies will be considered as dependents of their parents when applying for immigration.

The most up-to-date statistics from Ottawa show that nearly 90% of sponsored children who applied for immigration in 2012, or 64,757, were under the age of 19. Meanwhile, in the same year, only 7,327 dependent children applicants were over the age of 19.

As a result, the main reason for lowering the age of dependent children is that it will determine where the individuals will be receiving their post-secondary education. The process of credential recognition can be extremely tedious and may results in individuals not working in their proper field due to industry standards or language requirements.

How to prepare for High school!

Each student entering high school will be given a course selection form. It is best if the parents sit down and go over the options with their child. There are courses that are designed for college and university. Depending on the child's academic style, it's best to choose an option that is in their best interest. Children that do well in grade 9 are more likely to pass high school. Having the support of their teachers, parents and any other forms of support (peers, tutors etc.) are all crucial to help the outcome of their educational performance.

What to look for when choosing a High school

-          Do you have an area of study that they would like to focus on? Some schools specialize in certain programs that might be of interest to you

-          Meet with the principle. Does he/she seem approachable and supportive to students and staff?

-          What kind of extracurricular activities does the school have to offer? Extracurricular activities are important in keeping teenagers engaged in school

-          Understand you're your personality; will you feel more comfortable in a larger or smaller school?

-          Larger schools usually have more course selection and more extracurricular activities. Smaller schools may have a more intimate and friendly environment

VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER!

In order to successfully complete high school, you MUST complete 40 hours of community service! This means volunteering with local organizations, hospitals, shelters, and anywhere else that will offer you a volunteering opportunity.

Try picking a place that offers variety, so you have exposure to different activities. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to seek what you enjoy and what you don't.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact a youth facilitator at nicyouth@tcet.com. We have locations in Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, and Malton.  

www.ImmigrationPeel.ca

www.settlement.org