{"id":46096,"date":"2014-03-18T15:23:02","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T19:23:02","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-03-10T13:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T17:00:02","slug":"best-interests-child","status":"publish","type":"publications-page","link":"https:\/\/www.cleo.on.ca\/en\/publications-page\/best-interests-child","title":{"rendered":"Best interests of a child"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>IRCC must consider the best interests of any child under the age of 18 who could be directly affected by the decision on the application. This could include, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the applicant&#8217;s own child, no matter where the child was born or where they live, whether in Canada or elsewhere<\/li>\n<li>a child in Canada who is not the applicant&#8217;s child but with whom they have a close relationship. For example, this could be a child that the applicant looks after, such as a niece or grandchild, or a friend&#8217;s child<\/li>\n<li>a child outside Canada who is not the applicant&#8217;s child but who relies on their support in some way. For example, a niece or grandchild abroad who they support financially<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Examples of what could have an impact on the best interests of a child include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the child&#8217;s age<\/li>\n<li>the relationship between the child and the applicant, or between the child and others<\/li>\n<li>separation between the child and any parent or close relative in Canada that is a citizen or permanent resident<\/li>\n<li>how long the child has been in Canada and the child&#8217;s ties to Canada and to the applicant&#8217;s home country<\/li>\n<li>any medical issues or needs related to a disability<\/li>\n<li>the child&#8217;s education<\/li>\n<li>conditions in the applicant&#8217;s home country that could impact the child, for example, customs that girls and women in the applicant&#8217;s home country must follow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>IRCC must pay close attention to what is best for the child when it decides whether to accept an H&amp;C application.<\/p>\n<p>Some factors may have a much greater impact on a child than on an adult. So, the same facts might make an H&amp;C application stronger if a child is affected.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to explain the child&#8217;s situation and the relevant factors in detail and with supporting evidence.<\/p>\n<h3>If the child is 18 years or older<\/h3>\n<p>The situation of a child aged 18 or older can also support an applicant&#8217;s H&amp;C application. For example, if the child depends on them in some way, or the family will be separated if their H&amp;C application is refused.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-46096","publications-page","type-publications-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Best interests of a child - CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario \/ \u00c9ducation juridique communautaire Ontario)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cleo.on.ca\/en\/publications-page\/best-interests-child\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best interests of a child - CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario \/ \u00c9ducation juridique communautaire Ontario)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"IRCC must consider the best interests of any child under the age of 18 who could be directly affected by the decision on the application. 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