No, a child born in Canada (who is automatically a Canadian citizen by birth) should not be added as a dependent in the principal applicant's (PA's) profile in the Online Permanent Residence (PR) Portal in the same way as non-citizen dependents applying for PR. .Here's the key breakdown based on official IRCC guidelines and common practices:
Canadian-born children are not "dependents" for PR purposes in the immigration application sense. They are already Canadian citizens, so they don't need (or qualify) to apply for permanent residence through their parents' application. They don't require a PR visa, medical exams (for immigration), police certificates, or additional fees as accompanying/non-accompanying dependents.
Do not include them in IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada): This form is for the principal applicant and any dependents who are applying for PR. Including a Canadian citizen child here (e.g., as non-accompanying) can cause delays, unnecessary document requests, or issues with the application.
Reliable sources advise against attempting to list them on IMM 0008.
What you MUST do instead: Declare the child fully on IMM 5406 (Additional Family Information): This form requires listing all children, including those who are already Canadian citizens or permanent residents (even if not coming with you or not applying for anything). Provide details like the child's name, date of birth, and attach supporting documents such as the Canadian birth certificate and (if available) passport. This ensures full disclosure of family members, as required by IRCC regulations.
In the PR Portal, the system may prompt for family information or have sections/tabs where you upload related docs (e.g., birth certificate under supporting documents or a placeholder for family info). Some applicants report the portal asks for personal details even if the child isn't "included" as a dependent—follow the portal's instructions carefully and mark/declare appropriately as a non-dependent Canadian citizen family member.
If the child was born after submission (or needs to be added/updated):Use the IRCC web form to notify them of the change in family composition (e.g., newborn). IRCC will guide you on next steps, which may include uploading the birth certificate, passport photos, etc., but typically without treating the child as a PR applicant.
Why this matters: Failing to declare all family members (including Canadian ones) on the required forms can lead to misrepresentation issues or refusal. But over-including them as PR dependents creates unnecessary complications.
For the most accurate steps, check your specific application's guide in the PR Portal or the official IRCC help centre pages on dependent children and family information forms (like IMM 5406). If your application is already in progress, submitting a web form to IRCC for clarification is the safest route—they'll provide tailored instructions.
If a Call to IRCC on this may give mixed response as the Agents sittting there are not fully concersant with the system and applicaton types and forms.