Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada let its temporary public policy on excluded family members expire on September 10, 2026. Since 2019, that policy had let some permanent residents sponsor a spouse, partner, or child who was not declared or examined when the sponsor became a permanent resident.
What the bar normally does
Paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations generally block sponsorship of a spouse, partner, or dependent child who was not declared and examined when the sponsor obtained permanent residence. The public policy, in force from September 9, 2019, created a narrow exemption. It was aimed at people who could not declare family at the time, including resettled refugees and protected persons. The wider rules for people already working in Canada are in temporary workers already in the country.
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What happens to files already in
New applications do not get the exemption. IRCC has said eligible sponsorships received from May 31, 2019, through September 10, 2026, will still be decided under the expired policy. Files sent after that date fall under the ordinary regulations.
Why it ended
The department did not publish a detailed reason for letting the policy lapse. Reporting around the expiry pointed to integrity concerns: the exemption was always a balance between reuniting families and requiring a complete declaration. The end of the policy puts the lifetime bar back in place for new files. It is an immigration decision, separate from the October tax and regulatory changes.
If the deadline was missed
A family that did not file in time can still ask for humanitarian and compassionate consideration under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. That request is discretionary. It is not a second version of the public policy. A lawyer who does sponsorship work can say whether the facts support it.
What to check
- Confirm the application was received on or before September 10, 2026.
- If it was not, ask counsel about humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
- Keep the documents that explain why the family member was not declared.
- Watch IRCC for any narrower program that replaces this one.
- Keep every current status valid while the file is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply under the excluded-family-member policy?
No. It expired on September 10, 2026. Applications received after that date are not processed under the exemption.
What happens to applications already submitted?
Eligible sponsorships received from May 31, 2019, through September 10, 2026, continue under the expired policy.
What if I missed the date?
You can ask for humanitarian and compassionate consideration under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. That decision is discretionary.
