The candidate can sponsor a dependent child or a child he plans to adopt for Permanent Residency in Canada.  Currently, the eligible age for a dependent is 18 or younger.
You can sponsor if you are:​

• At least 18 years of age
• A Canadian permanent resident living in Canada or a Canadian citizen
• Not in prison, bankrupt, under a removal order (if a permanent resident) or charged with a serious offence 

Requirements for sponsored child​

• Dependent child is 18 years old or younger, and not married or in a common-law relationship.  ​

• If dependent child is above 18, they must satisfy one of the following in order to be considered a dependent:
  • suffer from a physical or mental disability and has been financially dependent on the support of the parents since before the age of 18

​Requirements for the nature of the relationship​

• The child is the biological child of the parent and has not been adopted by another person OR
• The child is adopted by the parent