When applying for permanent residence in Canada, it is crucial to declare all family members, including spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, even if they are not accompanying you. Including them in your application ensures they receive PR status simultaneously with you.

Who Must Be Declared?

Family members to be declared for Canadian immigration purposes are your spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependents. This includes children under 22 who are unmarried or not in a common-law relationship.

Properly identifying and counting dependents is essential. This includes all children under 22, regardless of custody arrangements, and older dependents who rely on financial support due to a physical or mental condition.

Accompanying vs. Non-Accompanying Dependents

Accompanying dependents will receive PR status alongside you upon successful application processing. Non-accompanying dependents can be sponsored for PR later, subject to eligibility criteria.

Remember, all dependents must be listed on your application, impacting settlement fund requirements. Failure to declare family members accurately can lead to application refusal.