Updated information on family sponsorships

Steps to Justice has updated information about sponsoring family members.

A person cannot sponsor someone who was their family member when they applied for or became a permanent resident if they did not tell Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about that person before becoming a permanent resident.

IRCC had a policy that said they would not enforce this rule for some people. But this policy ended on September 10, 2026.

When someone applies for permanent resident status, they must:

• list all their family members in their application, even if the person is missing or not coming to Canada, and
• tell IRCC about any changes to their family situation