Maple News reports that applicants for Canadian permanent residence (PR) must accurately declare all immediate family members in their applications, whether those relatives plan to accompany them to Canada or not. Failure to do so can result in delays or even the refusal of PR status.
According to Canadian immigration regulations, applicants are required to list their spouse, common-law partner, children, and any dependents of those children. This includes children from previous relationships, regardless of custody arrangements. Even if these family members are not moving to Canada, they must still undergo medical examinations as part of the overall application process.
Declaring non-accompanying family members is not optional—it is a legal obligation. Incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to serious consequences, including ineligibility for future sponsorships or a rejection of your current PR application. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses this information to assess admissibility and maintain the integrity of the immigration process.
If your spouse, partner, or children will be joining you in Canada, it’s essential that they are included in the application as ‘accompanying family members.’ This ensures they receive their PR status alongside yours once the application is approved.
It’s also important to understand who qualifies as a dependent. A dependent child is defined as someone under 22 years of age who is not married or in a common-law relationship. The definition extends to include your child’s dependent children as well.
Applicants with blended families must be particularly thorough. Dependent children from previous relationships—whether biological or adopted—must all be declared, regardless of their current living situation or custody status. The same applies to your spouse’s or partner’s children.
Ensuring that all family members are accounted for helps prevent unintended exclusions and maintains eligibility for future immigration benefits. Once permanent residence is granted, family reunification remains an option—but only if those individuals were properly declared in the initial application.
For many, the PR process is a significant, life-changing step. Maple News encourages all applicants to carefully review their documentation and seek expert guidance if needed, especially when family members are involved.