After applying for permanent residence under the Economic class - Adding a family member
If you are the principal applicant of a permanent residence application already in process, you could add your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children to your application, even if they were listed as a non-accompanying dependent in the initial application.
To do so, we invite you to send your add-on request by using the
IRCC webform available on our website. You can attach the following forms and documents in the field reserved to that effect:
- A new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)* with supporting documents,
- (If applicable) A Schedule A - Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form,
- (If applicable) An Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) form,
- (If applicable) A signed Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) form,
- A copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship,
- A copy of the family member’s valid passport,
- Police certificates for all countries where the family member over the age of 18 has lived for more than 6 months since turning 18,
- A letter of explanation (indicate “Add-on” in your letter), and
- If applicable, the proof of payment*.
Useful tips
- If you need information to fill out the forms, please consult the Fill out the forms section of the instruction guide found in the application kit that you have initially used to apply.
- If the newly eligible family member is a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child who is already a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, only a copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship and a letter of explanation are required.
- It may be impossible to add a member of your family to the application if a final decision has already been made.
We hope you will find this information helpful.
Your add-on request will be evaluated by the responsible office. You will be contacted when a decision will be made or if further information is required.
*
If you have applied under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (AIPP), please follow the instructions under Changes in family composition on our website.
Add-on - Application to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner in Canada
When you have a sponsorship application in process, a
family member of the person being sponsored could be added at a later date, even if they were listed as a non-accompanying dependant in the initial application.
To do so, we invite you to complete the following forms and mail them to the
Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Mississauga, Ontario:
and
- The add-on requestincluding:
- your client ID number/UCI,
- a detailed letter of explanation,
- a copy of the birth certificate, marriage certificate or proof of common-law relationship, and
- if applicable, the proof of payment.
Useful tips:
- If the newly eligible family member is a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child who is already a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, only the add-on request is required.
- Please ensure to write ADD-ON on the forms and on the envelope.
- If you would like proof that your application was received, we suggest that you use registered mail with Canada Post or a courier service such as Purolator, UPS, FedEx, etc.
We hope that this information will facilitate the process of family reunification.
Your add-on request will be evaluated by the responsible office. You will be contacted when a decision will be made or if further information is required.
For more information on what to expect after a sponsorship application is submitted, please visit the
What to expect after you apply section of the sponsorship guide.
Letter of explanation
If you are
applying online and would like to include a letter of explanation, we invite you to attach the letter in the
Client information field.
If further information or additional documents are required, the responsible office may contact you:
- At the phone number you provided, or
- By email, to the address provided when you created your account,
- the email will advise you to verify the Check status and messages section of your account for specific details.
Free newcomer services in your area
Friendly and experienced settlement professionals can help you feel at home in Canada.
They can help you:
- Look for a job,
- Get a language assessment,
- Register for language classes,
- Find a place to live,
- Sign up your kids for school, and
- Learn about community services.
To find free services near you, we invite you to consult our
website.
Application processing times
Our
processing times show how long it took us to process most applications in the past for each application type. As we process more applications and clear our inventories, the numbers will change. The numbers shown may not reflect how long it will take us to process an application you submit today.
Since the
Check application processing times page is updated regularly, we invite you to consult it often to get the most recent information.
For more information, please visit our website to
find out how we calculate processing times.
How to submit your feedback
Your feedback is important to us. You may submit a comment, compliment or complaint about IRCC services, performance or processes, such as:
- Application processing times,
- Services,
- Fees or refunds,
- Online tools or the IRCC website,
- Policy and legislation,
- Etc.
In order to do so, please fill out the feedback form available on our
website.
