Family Reunification After Refugee Approval in Canada: Complete 2026 Guide
Last updated: April 2026 • For Protected Persons in Canada who want to bring their spouse, children, or parents to join them
Your refugee claim has been approved — you are a Protected Person in Canada. Now you want to bring the people you left behind. Canada has specific pathways for refugees to reunite with their families, but the rules, timelines, and which family members qualify depend on your situation. This guide explains every option clearly.
📋 One-Year Window (OYW) — Apply within 1 year of refugee approval to bring spouse and dependent children abroad. No minimum income required.
👨👩👧 Family Class Sponsorship — After you receive PR, sponsor eligible family members through the standard Family Class stream. Income requirements may apply.
📋 Table of Contents
- Overview: Your Two Main Options
- Option 1: The One-Year Window (OYW) Program
- Who Qualifies for the One-Year Window?
- How to Apply for the One-Year Window
- Option 2: Family Class Sponsorship After PR
- Bringing Parents and Grandparents
- Family Members Already in Canada
- Required Documents
- Processing Times
- Urgent or Dangerous Situations Abroad
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview: Your Two Main Options#
| Program | Who It's For | When to Apply | Income Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Year Window (OYW) | Spouse/partner + dependent children who were NOT in Canada at time of claim | Within 1 year of refugee protection decision | None — designed for refugees |
| Spousal Sponsorship (Family Class) | Spouse or common-law partner | After receiving PR | Generally no minimum for spousal sponsorship |
| Dependent Child Sponsorship | Unmarried children under 22 | After receiving PR | No minimum income |
| Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) | Parents and grandparents | After receiving PR — PGP opens periodically | Yes — minimum necessary income required |
| Super Visa | Parents and grandparents (temporary visit) | After receiving PR | Yes — minimum income threshold |
Option 1: The One-Year Window (OYW) Program#
The One-Year Window is Canada's dedicated family reunification program for newly recognized refugees. It was created specifically to address the reality that many refugees had to flee without their families, often leaving a spouse and children behind in dangerous situations.
Under OYW, IRCC processes the overseas family members of recognized refugees and grants them protected person status — allowing them to come to Canada and eventually apply for PR alongside you. This is separate from and in addition to your own PR application.
You must submit your OYW application within 12 months of the date your refugee protection was granted by the IRB. Missing this deadline means your family members must use the standard Family Class sponsorship route instead, which has different requirements and longer timelines. Apply as early as possible after your approval.
Who Qualifies for the One-Year Window?#
| Family Member | Eligible for OYW? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner | ✅ Yes | Must have been your spouse/partner at the time of the refugee protection decision; must be outside Canada |
| Dependent children (under 22, unmarried) | ✅ Yes | Must be under 22 and unmarried at time of application; outside Canada |
| Dependent children (22+ who depend on you due to disability) | ✅ Yes | Dependent relationship must be established |
| Parents | ❌ No | Not eligible for OYW — must use PGP or Super Visa after you receive PR |
| Siblings | ❌ No | Not eligible for OYW |
| Family members already in Canada | ❌ No | OYW is for family members outside Canada only |
| Family members who made their own refugee claim in Canada | ❌ No | Already in the system — processed separately |
How to Apply for the One-Year Window#
Your 12-month OYW window starts from the date of the IRB's positive decision — not from when you receive your PR. Check your IRB decision letter for the exact date and count forward 12 months. This is your hard deadline.
Download the appropriate forms from the IRCC website, including the sponsorship application and forms for each family member abroad. Fill them out completely and accurately. The principal applicant (you) sponsors the family members as an in-Canada anchor.
You need identity documents, proof of relationship (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates), proof of your refugee protection status, and documents proving your family members' current location and identity. Documents from conflict zones may be difficult to obtain — explain any gaps in writing.
OYW applications have associated fees for each family member. Pay through your GC Key account when submitting. Fee waivers may be available for applicants in extreme financial hardship — apply in writing with supporting documentation.
Submit the complete package online. After submission, IRCC sends instructions to your family members abroad — they will need to complete biometrics, a medical exam, and identity interviews at the nearest IRCC-designated visa application centre.
Your family members abroad will be contacted by IRCC with instructions for their part of the process — biometrics, medical examination, and potentially an interview. The Canadian embassy or high commission in their country (or the nearest one) processes their applications. This stage can take many months.
Once approved, your family members receive travel documents and travel authorization to come to Canada. Upon arrival, they are confirmed as protected persons and can subsequently apply for PR alongside you.
Option 2: Family Class Sponsorship After PR#
If you missed the OYW window, or if you want to sponsor family members who are not eligible for OYW (like parents), you can sponsor them through the regular Family Class sponsorship program — but only after you have received your permanent residence.
| Who You Can Sponsor | Requirements | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner | You must be a PR or citizen; no minimum income required for spousal sponsorship | Processing: 12–24 months; spouse can apply for open work permit while waiting |
| Dependent children (under 22, unmarried) | You must be a PR or citizen; no minimum income for dependent children | Child must be under 22 at time of application |
| Conjugal partner | Must prove 1-year relationship; cohabitation impossible due to persecution or immigration barrier | Higher burden of proof |
Bringing Parents and Grandparents#
Parents and grandparents cannot come to Canada through the OYW program or standard spousal sponsorship. Your options are:
| Option | Type | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) | Permanent residence | You must be a Canadian citizen or PR; must meet minimum income threshold (MNI); intake opens periodically with limited spots; processing takes several years |
| Super Visa | Temporary — up to 5 years per entry | You must meet minimum income; parents must purchase Canadian medical insurance; Super Visa allows up to 5 years in Canada per entry, renewable |
| Visitor Visa | Temporary — up to 6 months | Parents apply directly; approval not guaranteed; shorter stay permitted |
Family Members Already in Canada#
If a spouse or dependent child was already in Canada at the time of your refugee claim but was not included in your application, the situation is more complex:
- If they were included in your original refugee claim, they should automatically be included in the positive decision and can apply for PR with you
- If they were not included and are currently in Canada, they cannot use the OYW (which is for those outside Canada) — they need to pursue their own immigration pathway or be added through other means
- If they made their own separate refugee claim, that claim is processed independently
- Consult an immigration professional to assess the specific situation of any family member already in Canada
Required Documents#
| Document | Who Provides It |
|---|---|
| IRB positive refugee decision (your copy) | You (sponsor in Canada) |
| Proof of your current status in Canada | You (AIP, work permit, PR card if received) |
| Marriage certificate (if sponsoring spouse) | Both you and spouse |
| Children's birth certificates | Family members abroad |
| Proof of identity for family members (passports, national IDs) | Family members abroad |
| Photos of family members (passport-sized) | Family members abroad |
| Proof of relationship (photos together, communication records, etc.) | Both you and family |
| Medical exam results (panel physician designated by IRCC) | Family members abroad |
| Police certificates from all countries lived in | Family members abroad |
| Explanation letter for any missing documents | You or family member |
| Application fee payment receipt | You (sponsor in Canada) |
Processing Times#
| Program | Estimated Processing Time | Factors That Affect It |
|---|---|---|
| One-Year Window (OYW) | 12–36 months | Country where family is located, document availability, security checks, IRCC capacity |
| Spousal Sponsorship (after PR) | 12–24 months | Country of spouse, completeness of application |
| Dependent Child Sponsorship | 12–24 months | Similar to spousal sponsorship |
| Parents and Grandparents Program | 24–48+ months | Very limited intake; waitlist-based |
| Super Visa | 8–16 weeks | Faster than PGP; temporary status only |
Urgent or Dangerous Situations Abroad#
If your family members abroad are in immediate danger, you have additional options:
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Request expedited OYW processing | Write to IRCC explaining the urgent circumstances — provide documented evidence of the danger your family faces. Expedited processing is not guaranteed but is considered |
| Family members make their own refugee claim | If they can reach Canada, family members can make their own independent refugee claim at a port of entry — no need to wait for your process to conclude |
| UNHCR registration abroad | If family members are in a third country and cannot access Canada, registering with UNHCR in that country may lead to resettlement referral to Canada or another country |
| Emergency visitor visa | In extreme cases, an emergency temporary resident permit (TRP) may be requested for humanitarian reasons — requires approval from IRCC |
Frequently Asked Questions#
How soon after refugee approval can I apply to bring my family?
You can apply immediately after your refugee protection is granted. The One-Year Window program requires you to apply within 12 months of your IRB decision date. Apply as early as possible — processing takes time and you want the clock to work in your favour.
Can I bring my parents through the One-Year Window?
No. The OYW only covers spouses/partners and dependent children. To bring parents to Canada permanently, you must first receive PR and then apply through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). For temporary visits, they can apply for a Super Visa.
Do my family members need to pass a separate refugee hearing to come to Canada?
No — not through the OYW. Family members coming through OYW are processed as accompanying family members of a recognized refugee, not as independent claimants. They still need to pass medical exams, biometrics, security checks, and identity verification, but they do not go through an IRB hearing.
What if I can't get documents from my home country for my family members?
This is a common challenge for refugees. IRCC understands that many refugees cannot obtain official documents from their home country. Provide whatever documents are available and include a detailed written explanation of why certain documents cannot be obtained. Alternative evidence of identity and relationship (photos, communication records, sworn statements) can help support your application.
Can my spouse work in Canada while waiting for their PR through the OYW?
Once your spouse or partner arrives in Canada through the OYW process, they may be eligible to apply for a work permit. As recognized protected persons, they can apply for an open work permit while their PR application is pending. Confirm the specific authorization with IRCC after their arrival.
I missed the one-year window — what are my options?
If you missed the OYW deadline, you are not out of options — but the process becomes longer. Once you receive your PR, you can sponsor your spouse and dependent children through the regular Family Class sponsorship stream. You can also sponsor parents and grandparents through the PGP (periodic intake) or help them apply for a Super Visa for temporary visits.
Ready to Bring Your Family to Canada?
Family reunification after refugee approval involves strict deadlines and complex paperwork. Missing the One-Year Window or submitting an incomplete application can cause years of additional delays. Let our team help you get it right the first time.
📧 Email Us for HelpDisclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently. Always consult a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer or RCIC for advice specific to your family's situation.