Family class
Statutory definition
(1) A foreign national may be selected as a member of the family class on the basis of their relationship as the spouse, common-law partner, child, parent or other prescribed family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27, s 12(1)
Explanation
The family class is one of the principal streams through which foreign nationals may obtain permanent residence in Canada. Selection as a member of the family class is based on the relationship between the foreign national and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (the sponsor). Eligible relationships are set out in IRPA s 12(1) and further defined in the IRPR.
Eligible family members include spouses and common-law partners, dependent children (including adopted children), parents and grandparents, and certain other relatives in limited circumstances (such as where the sponsor has no other eligible family members in Canada or abroad).
How this term is used
A family class application requires the sponsor to file a sponsorship application and the foreign national to file an application for permanent residence simultaneously. Both applications are assessed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The sponsored person must not be inadmissible on any ground, including health, security, or misrepresentation grounds. Applications are processed under the in-Canada spousal sponsorship stream and the overseas stream.