Other Immigration Services
Refugee Family Reunification
Support reuniting eligible spouses, partners, and dependent children through the appropriate refugee or protected-person process.
Overview
The right family reunification process depends on how you obtained protection and where your permanent residence application stands. Protected persons applying for permanent residence in Canada may include eligible dependent family members abroad. We help reconcile the family history and prepare the corresponding records.
For refugees resettled from abroad, the One-Year Window of Opportunity (OYW) may bring eligible family members who were declared on the original permanent residence application but could not travel together. IRCC must receive the complete request within one year of the resettled refugee's arrival as a permanent resident. Separate Quebec instructions may apply.
These routes have defined family-member requirements and do not automatically cover extended relatives. We assess the relationship, original declarations, and timing before recommending a refugee-family process or an ordinary family sponsorship application.
Who may consider this: Recently resettled refugees and protected persons in Canada with eligible dependent family members abroad.
Eligibility Considerations
- A qualifying relationship under the chosen process
- Review of the applicant's protection or resettlement history and permanent residence stage
- For OYW, prior declaration of the eligible family members and a complete submission within the one-year window
- Compliance with the applicable document, admissibility, and provincial requirements
How It Works
Family & Status Review
We review your protection decision, immigration history, and the family members seeking reunification.
Route & Deadline Check
We identify the appropriate process and any time-sensitive requirements.
Record Reconciliation
We compare current relationship information with the original family declarations.
Application Preparation
We organize the forms and supporting evidence for the selected route.
Follow-Up
We help respond to requests and keep family information consistent as the case progresses.
Documents You May Need
Document requirements vary by applicant and pathway — not every applicant needs every item below. We confirm your specific list during an assessment.
- Protection decision or confirmation of permanent residence and arrival date
- Original immigration forms showing family declarations
- Marriage, partnership, birth, and identity records
- Current contact information and required translations
Common Issues to Watch For
These are presented to help you prepare, not to cause concern — most are avoidable with careful preparation.
- Confusing an in-Canada protected-person application with the OYW process for resettled refugees
- Missing the OYW deadline or sending an incomplete request
- Undeclared relatives or inconsistent names, dates, and relationships across records
How We Help
- Explain which process matches your status and family circumstances
- Identify missing relationship records before preparing the application
- Prepare a consistent package and track the applicable deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OYW apply to every protected person?+
No. OYW concerns refugees resettled from abroad and has specific declaration and timing requirements. Protected persons in Canada may have a different process for including dependent family members.
Can I include siblings or parents under OYW?+
OYW has a limited legal definition of family members. Other relatives need a separate assessment of available pathways.
What if I arrived more than a year ago?+
The OYW deadline may have passed. We assess other available routes instead of assuming the same process remains open.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies, fees, processing times, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Please verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified immigration professional before making decisions.