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What Every Permanent Resident Applicant with a Spouse or Child Must Know in 2026

ICC Immigration Inc > Blogs > Announcement > What Every Permanent Resident Applicant with a Spouse or Child Must Know in 2026

What Every Permanent Resident Applicant with a Spouse or Child Must Know in 2026

Applying for Permanent Residency in Canada is a major step toward building a secure future. However, if you have a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children, your application requires special attention. Failing to properly declare family members can lead to refusal, delays, or even a five-year ban for misrepresentation.

Here’s what every applicant needs to understand before submitting a Canada PR application.

1. You Must Declare All Family Members — Even If They’re Not Coming to Canada

Under rules administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you are legally required to disclose:

  • Your spouse or common-law partner

  • Your dependent children

  • Your spouse or partner’s dependent children

  • Your dependent children’s dependent children

This applies whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not.

If your spouse or children are accompanying you, they will receive permanent resident status at the same time as you (assuming approval). If they are not accompanying you, they must still be declared and medically examined.

Failure to disclose a family member can result in:

  • Refusal of your PR application

  • Loss of future sponsorship rights

  • A potential five-year ban from applying to Canada due to misrepresentation

For official guidance, always consult IRCC’s instructions on family members and admissibility requirements.

2. Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child?

For Canadian immigration, a dependent child is:

  • Under 22 years old

  • Not married or in a common-law relationship

Importantly, this includes:

  • Children from previous relationships

  • Children not in your custody

  • Your spouse’s children

  • Dependent grandchildren

The “Age Lock-In” Rule

Eligibility depends on the child’s age on the program-specific lock-in date — usually the day IRCC receives your complete application. Some programs may lock in the age earlier.

To remain eligible, the child must stay unmarried throughout processing.

Children 22 or older may qualify if:

  • They depended financially on their parents before age 22

  • They cannot financially support themselves due to a physical or mental condition

All declared dependents — accompanying or not — count toward your family size when calculating settlement funds requirements under programs like Express Entry Canada.

3. Immigration Medical Exams Are Mandatory for Everyone

Every family member listed on your application must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME).

This requirement applies even if:

  • The spouse or child is not accompanying you

  • They do not plan to move to Canada immediately

IRCC assesses medical admissibility at the family level. If a dependent fails to complete the required medical exam, you may permanently lose the ability to sponsor them later.

Since August 21, 2025, applicants under Express Entry must submit medical results upfront for:

  • The principal applicant

  • All declared family members

Missing medical documentation can cause delays, stalled processing, or refusal.

4. Be Honest When Declaring a Non-Accompanying Spouse

When creating an Express Entry profile, applicants sometimes list a spouse as “non-accompanying.”

This option should only be used if:

  • Your spouse truly does not intend to move to Canada

  • There are legitimate personal, professional, or family reasons

Declaring your spouse as non-accompanying solely to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is considered misrepresentation.

Consequences include:

  • Refusal of your PR application

  • A five-year ban from Canadian immigration programs

Transparency is critical when applying for Permanent Residency in Canada.

5. Can You Sponsor Family Later?

If you declare your spouse or child as non-accompanying, you may still be able to sponsor them after becoming a permanent resident — provided:

  • They were properly declared in your original application

  • They completed required medical exams

  • You meet sponsorship eligibility criteria

If they were not declared, you will likely lose the ability to sponsor them in the future.

How ICC Immigration Can Help You Secure Your Future in Canada

Navigating Canada immigration programs can be complex and overwhelming. Choosing the right pathway is essential to avoid delays, refusals, or unnecessary risks.

ICC Immigration is committed to helping individuals and families build a secure future through legitimate and stable immigration pathways rather than uncertain options like asylum claims.

Our Services Include:

✅ Permanent Residency Applications

We assist with:

  • Express Entry Canada

  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

  • Other federal and provincial PR pathways

Our team ensures your Canada PR application is complete, compliant, and strategically prepared.

✅ Work Permits and Study Permits

Temporary permits can often serve as stepping stones toward Permanent Residency in Canada. We guide clients through work and study pathways that align with long-term immigration goals.

✅ Family Sponsorship

If you have relatives in Canada, we help reunite families through proper sponsorship programs.

✅ Expert Legal Advice

Canadian immigration regulations change frequently. We provide professional guidance to help ensure:

  • Full compliance with IRCC policies

  • Proper declaration of family members

  • Accurate documentation

  • Maximized CRS scores without misrepresentation risks

Instead of relying on uncertain immigration routes, take control of your future with a structured and lawful pathway toward Canadian Permanent Residency.

Whether you are already in Canada or planning your immigration journey, ICC Immigration offers the knowledge, strategy, and support you need to move forward confidently.

Final Thoughts

When applying for Permanent Residency in Canada, properly declaring your spouse and dependent children is not optional — it is mandatory. From medical exams to age lock-in rules and sponsorship eligibility, small mistakes can have lifelong consequences.

Before submitting your application, ensure:

  • All family members are declared

  • Medical exams are completed

  • Settlement funds reflect your full family size

  • Your spousal declaration is truthful

Careful preparation today protects your family’s future tomorrow.

For official program details and updates, refer directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.