Navigating Dependent Children Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide to Global Residency and Citizenship Programs
For families seeking international mobility through residence or citizenship by investment programs, understanding dependent children provisions is crucial.
The definition of a "dependent child" varies significantly across jurisdictions, with age thresholds, educational requirements, and financial dependency criteria creating a complex landscape for applicants.
Whether you're planning for young children or supporting adult dependents through university and beyond, each program offers distinct pathways and limitations that can significantly impact your family's long-term migration strategy.
This comprehensive guide examines eight popular destinations for secondary residency and citizenship, breaking down the specific requirements, age limits, and dependency criteria that govern how children—from infants to young adults—can be included in applications.
Understanding these nuances is essential for making informed decisions that protect your family's future mobility options.
Canada: Permanent Residence Programs
Canada's immigration system takes a notably inclusive approach to dependent children, reflecting the country's family-centric immigration philosophy.
Under current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations, a dependent child is defined as someone under 22 years of age who does not have a spouse or common-law partner.
This definition applies across most economic immigration streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Golden Visa rules for dependent children vary significantly across programs, making expert guidance essential for families. While Greek residency typically covers children under 21, Canadian residency programs have different age thresholds. Caribbean options like Saint Lucian residency, Antiguan and Barbudan residency, and Vanuatu residency offer flexible dependent provisions. Understanding these distinctions ensures your entire family qualifies seamlessly.
Canada's dependent child policy defines eligible dependents as unmarried individuals under 22 years of age. This applies to all major economic immigration streams (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs) and business immigration pathways.
Age determination occurs at application receipt, not processing, a strategic advantage for families with children near the age limit, given processing times often exceed one year. Children 22 or older qualify only if financially dependent on parents since before age 22 and unable to self-support due to physical or mental conditions (requires extensive documentation).
Adopted children and those in custody arrangements are equally eligible with proper legal documentation or parental authorization.
Key Points:
- Standard age limit: Under 22 years old
- No spouse or common-law partner requirement
- Age determined at application receipt date, not processing completion
- Children 22 plus included if financially dependent since before age 22 due to physical or mental condition
- Applies uniformly across Federal Skilled Worker, Express Entry, Provincial Nominee, and business immigration programs
- Adopted children and those in custody arrangements eligible with proper documentation
- No distinction between biological and legally adopted children
Greece: Golden Visa Program
Greece's Golden Visa program (established 2013) requires €250,000 real estate investment (increasing to €800,000 in certain regions as of 2023) and offers generous dependent child provisions.
Minor children under 21 are automatically included without additional requirements, investment, or restrictions on activities.
Young adults aged 21 to 24 qualify if enrolled full-time at recognized educational institutions and unmarried. Student status must be maintained throughout the permit's validity, with administrators often requiring annual enrollment proof.
Financial dependency on the main applicant must be demonstrated, though evidence requirements are relatively lenient, bank statements showing support, family tax returns, or tuition or living expense documentation typically suffice.
Children's residence permits mirror the main applicant's validity: two years initially, renewable for five-year periods while the investment is maintained. Dependents retain full study and work rights in Greece.
Further reading: Exploring Gree vs Portuguese residency
Upon reaching age limits or marrying, adult children cannot renew under the parent's application and must qualify independently through their own investment, employment, or other criteria.
Key Points:
- Children under 21 automatically included without additional requirements
- Students aged 21 to 24 eligible if unmarried and enrolled full-time
- Minimum investment: €250,000 to €800,000 in real estate depending on location
- Financial dependency required but threshold relatively accommodating
- Children receive permits matching main applicant's validity period
- Full right to study and work in Greece
- Annual proof of student status may be required for 21 to 24 age group
- No automatic status loss at age limit, renewal becomes unavailable under parent's application
Italy: Investor Visa for Residency
Italy's Investor Visa program (established 2017) offers pathways through €2 million in government bonds, €500,000 in Italian companies, €250,000 in innovative startups, or €1 million in philanthropic projects. The program emphasizes economic dependency over strict age cutoffs.
No firm age threshold exists for dependent children. Instead, consular officials and the Investor Visa Committee assess economic dependency case by case. Minor children under 18 are automatically considered dependent with minimal documentation.
Children 18 and above require more rigorous dependency proof. Full-time students (any age) generally qualify with enrollment certificates, proof of parental tuition payment, evidence of no significant employment, and financial declarations.
Children with disabilities or health conditions preventing self-sufficiency qualify with no age limitation. Medical documentation from certified providers, evidence of ongoing care needs, and proof of financial support are required. Adult children in their late twenties or thirties could theoretically qualify, though increasingly difficult without medical or educational justification.
Further reading: Italian Citizenship by Descent: Law 74/2025 Explained
Dependents receive two-year residence permits, renewable while investment is maintained, with full study and work rights, providing pathways to economic independence and potentially independent residence status.
Key Points:
- No strict age limit, focus on economic dependency
- Children under 18 automatically considered dependent
- Investment options: €250,000 to €2 million depending on category
- Adult children qualify if full-time students with documented financial dependency
- Children with disabilities eligible regardless of age with medical documentation
- Evidence required: enrollment certificates, tuition payment proof, financial declarations
- Two-year permits renewable with investment maintenance
- Full rights to study and work in Italy
- Pathway to independent status through employment or other means
Grenada: Citizenship by Investment Program
Grenada's Citizenship by Investment program (established 2013) offers actual citizenship, not residency, with unique US E-2 treaty investor visa access. The program features exceptionally generous dependent child provisions. Investment requirements: USD 235,000 in the National Transformation Fund or 270,000 in approved real estate (plus government fees).
Three qualifying categories for dependent children:
Unmarried children under 18 are automatically included with birth certificates and basic identification whilst those between 18 to 30 qualify if enrolled full-time at recognized higher education institutions and substantially supported by the main applicant.
Full-time attendance includes universities, colleges, or vocational programs (some administrators accept gap years if enrolled for upcoming terms). Substantial support requires documentation through bank transfers, tuition payments, and financial dependency statements.
Children of any age with physical or mental challenges qualify if living with and fully supported by the main applicant. Medical documentation from certified providers must establish the condition's impact on financial independence.
Citizenship is permanent and unconditional, unlike residency programs, adult children retain citizenship after marriage, completing education, or achieving financial independence. Grenadian citizenship provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 140 plus countries, including Schengen Area, China, and UK.
Key Points:
- Children under 18 automatically included (unmarried)
- Unmarried children 18 to 30 eligible if full-time students substantially supported by applicant
- Children of any age with physical or mental challenges eligible if living with and fully supported by parent
- Investment options: USD 235,000 (NTF) or USD 270,000 (real estate) plus fees
- Grants full citizenship, not temporary residence
- Citizenship permanent, not lost when dependency ends
- Visa-free access to 140 plus countries including Schengen, UK, and China
- E-2 treaty access to United States available to Grenadian citizens
- No age limit for disabled dependents with medical documentation
Portugal: Golden Visa Program
Portugal's Golden Visa (launched 2012, recently reformed) is among Europe's most popular residency by investment programs, offering pathways to permanent residence and citizenship. October 2023 reforms set minimum investments at €250,000 for artistic or cultural contributions, €500,000 for investment funds, or €500,000 for research activities. Real estate investment no longer qualifies except for pre reform purchases.
Minor children under 18 are automatically included with basic relationship documentation. This includes children born after initial application, who can be added through simple administrative processes.
Adult children up to age 26 qualify if single (unmarried, no civil partnership), enrolled full-time at higher education institutions, and financially dependent on the main applicant. Full-time status follows institutional standards, enrollment certificates must be updated annually upon permit renewal.
Financial dependency requires evidence that parents provide primary support for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Documentation typically includes bank statements showing regular transfers, tuition payment receipts, and financial status declarations. No mathematical threshold exists.
Residence permits: one year initially, renewable for two-year periods. Dependents receive equal validity with full study and work rights in Portugal and Schengen Area travel.
Permanent residence available after five years maintaining investment and minimal stay requirements (seven days annually average). Portuguese citizenship possible after six years total, requiring basic language proficiency, granting full EU citizenship rights that persist beyond dependency criteria.
Key Points:
- Children under 18 automatically included
- Children 18 to 26 eligible if single and full-time students
- Financial dependency on main applicant required for 18 to 26 category
- Minimum investment: €250,000 to €500,000 depending on category (no real estate since 2023 reform)
- Annual enrollment certificates required for student dependents
- Initial one-year permit, renewable for two-year periods
- Full rights to study, work, and travel within Schengen Area
- Pathway to permanent residence after five years
- Citizenship possible after six years total with language requirement
- Children born after application can be added administratively
- Adult children can transition to independent residence through employment or studies
Spain: Golden Visa Program
Spain's Golden Visa program (established 2013) requires €500,000 in real estate, €1 million in Spanish company shares or bank deposits, or €2 million in government bonds. The program takes a relatively conservative approach to dependent children compared to competitors.
Children under 18 are automatically included regardless of other factors. Minor children, biological, adopted, or in legal guardianship, require only birth certificates, custody documents if relevant, and basic identification.
Adult children 18 and older qualify only under exceptional circumstances: specifically, inability to meet their own needs due to objective reasons. In practice, this means serious disability, chronic illness, or significant impediments to self-sufficiency. Spanish authorities interpret this threshold strictly.
No special student category exists for adult dependent children, unlike Portugal or Greece. Some applicants have included adult children aged 18 to 21 who are students by demonstrating unusual circumstances (studying in Spain under parental supervision due to medical needs or disabilities requiring parental support), but these approvals are discretionary and unreliable.
For adult children with genuine disabilities, medical documentation from Spanish or internationally recognized providers must establish the condition's functional impact on ability to work and achieve self-sufficiency. Economic dependency must be proven through financial statements and declarations.
Further reading: Why Spain is considered as being one of the easiest country to get citizenship by investment
Initial permits: two years, renewable for five-year periods with maintained investment. Permanent residence available after five years. Spanish citizenship is possible after ten years (reduced to two for Latin American nationals, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or Sephardic Jews), requiring integration, language proficiency, and constitutional knowledge. Dependents enjoy full study rights and work authorization.
Key Points:
- Children under 18 automatically included
- Adult children 18 plus only included for serious disability or objective inability to be self-sufficient
- No standard provision for student dependents (unlike Portugal or Greece)
- Minimum investment: €500,000 (real estate), €1 million (shares or deposits), or €2 million (bonds)
- Initial two-year permit, renewable for five-year periods
- Full rights to study and work in Spain
- Permanent residence eligible after five years
- Citizenship possible after ten years (two years for certain nationalities)
- Strict interpretation of objective reasons for adult dependency
- Medical documentation essential for disabled adult dependents
St. Lucia: Citizenship by Investment Program
Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment program (formally established 2015) offers full citizenship, not temporary residence, with generous dependent children provisions mirroring Grenada's approach.
Four investment pathways: National Economic Fund (from USD 100,000), approved real estate (minimum 200,000 high-end or 300,000 standard projects), government bonds (300,000), or enterprise projects (from 3.5 million single or 6 million joint investors).
Three qualifying categories for dependent children:
Unmarried children under 18 are automatically included with birth certificates, adoption papers if applicable, and custody documentation where relevant.
Dependent children of any age with physical or mental disabilities qualify if living with and substantially supported by the main applicant. Comprehensive medical documentation must establish the disability's impact on financial independence capacity. No age restriction applies.
Further reading: Why St. Lucia is an ideal residency destination for retirees
Citizenship is permanent and unconditional, adult children retain citizenship after completing education, marrying, or achieving financial independence.
This makes timing strategic, families with children approaching age 30 should prioritize applications before eligibility expires.
Saint Lucian citizenship provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 146 countries, including Schengen Area, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Processing typically takes 3 to 4 months.
Key Points:
- Children under 18 automatically included (unmarried)
- Unmarried children 18 to 30 eligible if full-time students substantially supported by main applicant
- Dependent children of any age eligible if physically or mentally disabled and living with and supported by parent
- Investment options: USD 100,000 (National Economic Fund), USD 200,000 to 300,000 (real estate), USD 300,000 (bonds), or USD 3.5 million plus (enterprise projects)
- Grants full citizenship, not temporary residence
- Citizenship permanent, retained even after dependency ends
- No requirement for adult students to live with parents
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 146 plus countries including Schengen and UK
- Processing timeline typically 3 to 4 months
- No age limit for disabled dependents with proper medical documentation
United Arab Emirates: Residence Visa Programs
The United Arab Emirates has dramatically transformed its residency framework since 2019, introducing multiple pathways beyond traditional employment based sponsorship: Golden Visa (10 year), investor visas, retired persons visas, and property based options.
Golden Visa (10 year renewable) is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, specialized professionals, and outstanding students.
Dependent children provisions are exceptionally generous with no upper age limit.
However, children over 18 must meet criteria: females can be sponsored until marriage, males must be enrolled full-time as students with annual enrollment certificate renewals.
Further reading: Why the UAE is the best residency for crypto entrepreneurs
Investment thresholds: AED 2 million (about USD 545,000) in property, AED 500,000 minimum capital for establishing or partnering in companies, or AED 2 million bank deposit.
Entrepreneurs qualify with AED 500,000 minimum project value. Specialized professionals (doctors, scientists, engineers, outstanding students) qualify through credentials rather than capital.
Property Investor Visa grants 5 year or 10 year residence. Property valued at AED 750,000 plus (about USD 204,000) qualifies for 5 year renewable visas, AED 2 million plus unlocks 10 year options. Dependent children eligible until age 18, extended to 21 for full-time UAE students, and 25 for unmarried daughters regardless of student status.
A Retired Persons Visa requires AED 2 million property ownership, AED 1 million savings, or AED 20,000 monthly income. Dependent children follow the same age framework as property investor visas.
Consistent requirements across programs: relationship proof through birth certificates or adoption papers, enrollment certificates from recognized institutions for students over 18 (renewed annually), medical fitness certificates, and Emirates ID registration. Female dependents receive notably different treatment, unmarried daughters can be sponsored to age 25 (or indefinitely under some Golden Visa interpretations), while sons face stricter student status limitations.
Dependents enjoy full access to education, healthcare (with required insurance), and social infrastructure. They can obtain work permits at working age.
The UAE does not offer citizenship pathways for residence holders, but long-term residence provides stability and access to economic opportunities and tax advantages.
Key Points:
- Golden Visa: 10 year residence with children eligible regardless of age (males must be students over 18, females until marriage)
- Property Investor Visa (5 year): AED 750,000 plus property, children typically to age 18 (21 for students, 25 for unmarried daughters)
- Property Investor Visa (10 year): AED 2 million plus property, similar dependent provisions
- Investment thresholds: AED 500,000 to 2 million depending on pathway (approximately USD 136,000 to 545,000)
- Annual enrollment certificates required for student dependents over 18
- Different rules for male vs female dependents
- No pathway to citizenship through residence (citizenship discretionary and limited)
- Full access to education and healthcare systems
- Medical fitness certificates and Emirates ID required for all dependents
- Residence renewable indefinitely if qualifying criteria maintained
Conclusion: Strategic Considerations for Families
Understanding the nuances of dependent children provisions across global residence and citizenship programs is essential for making strategic decisions that serve your family's long-term interests.
The landscape varies dramatically, from Canada's straightforward under 22 rule to Saint Lucia's generous 18 to 30 student provision, from Spain's restrictive approach to adult dependents to the UAE's unlimited age Golden Visa option for children.
Several strategic considerations emerge from this analysis:
Timing matters critically, particularly for families with children approaching program age limits.
If you have a 28 year old student, Grenada or Saint Lucia's citizenship programs offer inclusion opportunities that most residency programs do not. Conversely, if your children are young, nearly all programs accommodate you easily, allowing decisions to focus on other factors like investment thresholds, taxation, or residence requirements.
Citizenship versus residency programs present fundamentally different propositions.
Citizenship programs (Grenada, Saint Lucia) grant permanent status that is not lost when dependency criteria end, your 29 year old included as a student retains citizenship after graduation and marriage.
Residency programs (Portugal, Spain, Greece, UAE) grant renewable permits that may not be renewable once dependency ends, though many offer pathways to transition to independent status through work or study.
Student provisions represent the most significant variable, with some programs (Portugal, Greece, Grenada, Saint Lucia) explicitly creating extended windows for young adults in higher education, while others (Spain, Canada) either do not accommodate students specially or cap eligibility at relatively young ages.
For families with children in extended degree programs, particularly those pursuing graduate or professional degrees, these differences can be determinative.
Investment requirements and program benefits must be weighed alongside dependent provisions. A program with generous child inclusion but minimal visa-free travel, high taxation, or limited residence requirements might serve different objectives than one with stricter dependency rules but EU freedom of movement or E-2 treaty access.
Families pursuing global mobility should consider developing diversified strategies, perhaps combining a Caribbean citizenship program for permanent second citizenship with an EU Golden Visa for actual residence and education access.
An expert advisor like us at Marlow Bray can help navigate these complex decisions, ensuring that both immediate inclusion and long-term transition planning serve your family's unique circumstances and objectives.
The global mobility landscape continues to evolve, with programs regularly updating their criteria, investment thresholds, and dependent provisions.
Staying informed and working with experienced professionals ensures that your family maximizes the opportunities these programs offer while navigating their complexities effectively.
