Family Reunification

Family reunification is “the right of non-nationals to enter into and reside in a country where their family members reside lawfully or of which they have the nationality in order to preserve the family unit” (IOM, 2019).

Canada’s options for family reunification are quite narrow and only include a spouse and children under the age of 19. It is not possible to bring children over 19, siblings, parents, or other family members through a family reunification program.The Canadian Council for Refugees continues to advocate for expedited reunification and hope that the current processing system that takes more than 3 years on average for dependents will transform to 6 months. (CCR) Take action to help today!

Family Reunification often occurs under the One-Year-Window Provision that permits resettled refugees in Canada to identify for resettlement, within one year of their arrival, family members abroad who were previously unable to travel with them. Family members identified under the OYW are processed as dependents of the original family member and therefore do not need to have their refugee story examined. Eligible family members are: a spouse or common-law partner; dependent children of the resettled refugee or his/her spouse or common-law partner; and dependent children of dependent children.