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Last verified: June 2026 · Source: justice.gc.ca← Back to Law Explorer
IRPRPART 8 Refugee ClassesDIVISION 1 Convention Refugees Abroad, Humanitarian-protected Persons Abroad and Protected Temporary Residents
r.141

Non-accompanying family member

Refugee Classes
🍁 In Simple Terms

Family you had to leave behind can still follow you, but the door has a deadline. They must have been on your application before you left for Canada, and they have to apply from outside Canada within one year of the day refugee protection was granted to you. Each of them has to be admissible. Where a sponsor is behind your case, that sponsor has to be notified and the money has to be there for the extra arrivals.

Affects: Refugee claimants and protected persons
Legal Text: IRPR Regulation 141

(1)A permanent resident visa shall be issued to a family member who does not accompany the applicant if, following an examination, it is established that (a)the family member was included in the applicant’s permanent resident visa application at the time that application was made, or was added to that application before the applicant’s departure for Canada; (b)the family member submits their application to an officer outside Canada within one year from the day on which refugee protection is conferred on the applicant; (c)the family member is not inadmissible; (d)if the applicant is the subject of a sponsorship application referred to in paragraph 139(1)(f)(i), their sponsor has been notified of the family member’s application and an officer is satisfied that there are adequate financial arrangements for resettlement; and (e)in the case of a family member who intends to reside in the Province of Quebec, the competent authority of that Province is of the opinion that the foreign national meets the selection criteria of the Province.

Non-application of paragraph 139(1)(b)

(2)For greater certainty, the requirements set out in paragraph 139(1)(b) do not apply to the application of a non-accompanying family member.

Cross-References
In Practice
Official Source: Justice Canada: IRPR r. 141 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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