'Family' under Canadian immigration law has a very specific meaning. Generally 'family' means husbands, wives, dependent children, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers.
'Family' under the terms of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) also includes common law spouses and same sex spouses.
Explanation
For a full explanation of the Family Class and who can be sponsored, visit the CIC site at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html
In Depth Policy Manuals
For further in depth information you may also wish to refer to the following Policy Manuals used by CIC.
- For the Overseas Processing (OP) Manual for Family Class sponsorships visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/english/op/op02e.pdf
- For the Inland Processing (IP) Manual of members of the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (which includes same sex and conjugal partnerships) visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/english/ip/ip08e.pdf
- For the Inland Processing (IP) Manual for humanitarian and compassionate cases visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/manuals-guides/english/ip/ip05e.pdf
Applicant is OUTSIDE CANADA - If you are sponsoring your family member and they are outside Canada - including your spouse/common law/same sex partner.
Application Forms and Guides - For the Application forms and guides, visit the CIC site at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/out.html
Applicant is INSIDE CANADA - If you are sponsoring your family member and they are inside Canada
Explanation
For a full explanation of the NEW Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (which includes same sex and conjugal partnerships), visit the CIC site at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/in.html
Application Forms and Guides - For spouses/common law partners/ same sex partners who wish to be sponsored from within Canada and have a valid visa to be in Canada, visit the CIC site at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/spouse.html
Application Forms and Guides - For all other members of the Family Class. Please note that CIC does NOT permit sponsorship of other family members from within Canada as of right. The applicant who is a member of the Family Class would need to ask for special humanitarian and compassionate consideration to be processed from within Canada. Visit the CIC site at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/handc.html
