Family Sponsorship Policy for Undeclared Relatives Ends September 10
A temporary federal public policy that allows certain permanent residents to sponsor previously undeclared family members is scheduled to end on September 10, 2026.
The measure provides a limited exemption from immigration regulations that would normally prevent someone from sponsoring a family member who was not declared and examined when the sponsor obtained permanent residence.
It is not available to every permanent resident or every undeclared relative. Eligibility depends on the relationship being sponsored, the pathway through which the sponsor became a permanent resident and whether declaring the family member would have affected the sponsor’s original eligibility.
IRCC’s official guidance for undeclared family members states that the policy applies to qualifying applications received between May 31, 2019, and September 10, 2026.
Why undeclared family members are normally excluded
Anyone applying for Canadian permanent residence must declare all family members, even if they are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada.
Depending on the circumstances, family members may include:
- A spouse
- A common-law partner
- Dependent children
- Dependent children of dependent children
These family members generally must complete the required medical examination and undergo applicable background and security checks.
Under paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, an undeclared and unexamined family member may normally be excluded from the family class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.
The current public policy allows immigration officers to exempt certain applicants from these provisions when all applicable conditions are satisfied.
When does the policy end?
The current consecutive public policy took effect on September 10, 2023, and is scheduled to end on September 10, 2026.
| Policy detail | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Policy start date | September 10, 2023 |
| Scheduled end date | September 10, 2026 |
| Family relationships covered | Spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child |
| Special application process | No |
| Standard sponsorship requirements | Continue to apply |
| Quebec undertaking | Still required where applicable |
IRCC has not officially confirmed a replacement or another extension. Potential applicants should therefore treat September 10, 2026, as the controlling deadline unless IRCC publishes new instructions.
The official policy also states that a public policy may be cancelled at any time.
Who may qualify?
The previously undeclared foreign national must apply in one of the following capacities:
- A spouse or common-law partner under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
- A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner under the family class
- A dependent child under the family class
The sponsor must have originally obtained permanent residence through one of these pathways:
- As a Convention refugee or person in similar circumstances
- After being recognized as a protected person
- As a sponsored spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or dependent child under the family class
- As a sponsored spouse or common-law partner under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
The foreign national must also meet the other conditions in the policy and the regular requirements of the applicable sponsorship program.
Who does not qualify?
The public policy does not overcome every failure to declare a family member.
An undeclared relative is not eligible under this exemption if declaring and examining that person would have made the sponsor ineligible for permanent residence under the original program.
IRCC provides examples such as a sponsor who:
- Immigrated as someone’s spouse while already married to or in a common-law relationship with the undeclared person
- Immigrated as a dependent child but was married or in a common-law relationship at that time
- Obtained permanent residence through a program requiring the applicant to be single and have no dependants
The policy also does not waive other admissibility requirements. Medical, criminal, security and other applicable assessments remain mandatory.
Eligibility is fact-specific. Applicants should not assume that the existence of an undeclared spouse or child automatically makes them eligible for the exemption.
No separate application stream is required
IRCC has not created a separate application package for this policy.
Eligible families must use the regular process to sponsor a spouse, partner or dependent child. IRCC will assess whether the public-policy exemption applies during processing.
In most cases, the principal applicant submits both of the following through the Permanent Residence Portal:
- The sponsor’s sponsorship application
- The family member’s permanent residence application
IRCC’s official spouse, partner and child sponsorship instructions explain the online process, forms, documents and payment requirements.
Applicants can also review the Always Canada Group family sponsorship guide for an overview of family reunification pathways.
Applications already in process
IRCC’s public guidance says that applicants with a sponsorship application already in process do not need to take additional action solely because of this policy’s expiry.
IRCC will review applications that have already been submitted and determine whether they qualify for the exemption.
The formal public policy states that applications pending when the policy took effect are processed under its provisions. IRCC’s guidance also confirms that the measure applies to qualifying applications it receives through September 10, 2026.
Applicants should continue monitoring their IRCC account and respond to any request for additional documents within the stated deadline.
Previously refused applications
A person whose application to sponsor an undeclared family member was refused before May 31, 2019, may submit a new sponsorship application if the family member now qualifies under the public policy.
A previous refusal does not guarantee approval of a new application. The sponsor and applicant must still satisfy the policy conditions, regular sponsorship requirements and applicable admissibility rules.
Anyone relying on this provision should disclose the previous refusal accurately and provide the requested documentation.
Standard sponsorship rules still apply
The exemption relates specifically to paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d). It does not waive the remaining requirements of the family sponsorship program.
Depending on the case, applicants may still need to provide:
- Proof of the relationship
- Marriage, birth or civil-status records
- Passports and identity documents
- Police certificates
- Medical examination information
- Biometrics
- Immigration and travel history
- Evidence relating to the sponsor’s original permanent residence pathway
- Complete information about previous applications and refusals
- Certified translations of documents not in English or French
- Applicable processing and permanent residence fees
The sponsor must meet the regular sponsorship eligibility requirements and sign the required undertaking and sponsorship agreement.
IRCC may return an incomplete application. With the September 10 deadline approaching, a returned application could create significant consequences if there is insufficient time to correct and resubmit it.
Additional requirement for Quebec sponsors
The federal public policy does not remove Quebec’s sponsorship undertaking requirement.
If the sponsor resides in Quebec, the provincial undertaking process continues to apply. Applicants should follow IRCC’s instructions about when to submit the undertaking application to the Quebec government.
IRCC advises applicants not to submit the Quebec undertaking before receiving federal instructions to do so.
Practical steps before September 10
Potentially eligible families should:
- Confirm the exact relationship between the sponsor and the undeclared family member.
- Identify the program through which the sponsor originally received permanent residence.
- Verify that the original pathway is one of the four categories covered by the policy.
- Determine whether declaring the relative would have made the sponsor ineligible at that time.
- Review the regular eligibility rules for sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child.
- Obtain the correct document checklist and current forms from IRCC.
- Gather civil-status, relationship, identity and immigration records immediately.
- Disclose the previous non-declaration and any prior refusals accurately.
- Pay the applicable fees and retain the receipt.
- Confirm that every required form is complete and properly signed.
- Upload clear copies and certified translations where required.
- Submit sufficiently early to address technical or documentation issues.
- Save a complete copy of the submission and confirmation of receipt.
- Monitor the IRCC account for correspondence after submission.
Families with complicated histories may book a consultation with Always Canada Group for an individualized eligibility and document review.
What happens after September 10?
The current policy is scheduled to end on September 10, 2026. No further extension or permanent regulatory amendment has been officially confirmed.
If the federal government introduces a replacement policy or changes the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, the position may change. Until that occurs, applicants should not rely on speculation about a future extension.
Submitting an application by the deadline also does not guarantee approval. IRCC must still determine that the applicant meets the public-policy conditions, sponsorship rules and admissibility requirements.
Key takeaway
The public policy for certain undeclared family members provides a narrow exemption from rules that would otherwise prevent sponsorship.
It is limited to specified spouses, partners and dependent children whose sponsors became permanent residents as refugees, protected persons or sponsored family members under one of the listed pathways.
Potential applicants should carefully verify their eligibility and prepare a complete application before September 10, 2026. The policy does not provide automatic approval, and IRCC has not confirmed that it will be extended.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Family sponsorship rules and public policies can change. Verify the current requirements directly with IRCC before submitting an application.
