Published
Pardeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2024, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: IRPR ss. 117(9)(d) and 176(2) and IRPA s. 25 checked that day.
The window closed: declared family can usually still come through family sponsorship once you’re a PR.
Never declared: the R117(9)(d) bar generally blocks sponsorship; humanitarian and compassionate grounds may be the way.
Act now: each route has its own requirements and wait. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
If your family members missed the one-year window after you became a permanent resident, they haven’t lost every option. If they were declared on your application, you can usually sponsor them as a permanent resident through the family class. If they were never declared, the undeclared family member rule (IRPR s. 117(9)(d)) generally stops sponsorship, and a humanitarian and compassionate request is often the remaining route.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, reunites families of protected persons through sponsorship and humanitarian and compassionate applications; this guide is by Pardeep S. Grewal.
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Were they declared?
| Situation | Main option |
|---|---|
| Declared on your PR application, window missed | Family class sponsorship as a PR |
| Never declared | Sponsorship generally barred (R117(9)(d)); H&C request |
| Declared but couldn’t be found in time | Sponsorship; explain the history in full |
Sponsoring after the window
As a permanent resident you can sponsor a spouse, partner and dependent children. Expect the normal sponsorship requirements and processing. See sponsoring a spouse as a refugee.
If they were never declared
See undeclared family members (R117(9)(d)). A humanitarian and compassionate request asks IRCC to exempt the family member from the bar, with the best interests of any child weighing heavily. See humanitarian and compassionate applications.
Why this needs a lawyer
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- checking what was declared, and when;
- the sponsorship application;
- H&C requests for undeclared family;
- Federal Court review of refusals.
Which route is open depends on old forms. Reading them correctly decides whether your family waits months or years.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Mistakes I have seen
- Assuming the window can be extended.
- Sponsoring a never-declared child without addressing R117(9)(d).
- Explaining a missing name inconsistently.
- Giving up because the year passed.
Frequently asked questions
Can the one-year window be extended?
No. Use sponsorship or H&C instead.
Can I sponsor my spouse now?
Yes, as a permanent resident, if they were declared and you meet the requirements.
My child wasn’t listed. Is it hopeless?
No. H&C is often possible, especially where a child’s best interests are involved.
Do I have to be a citizen first?
No. Permanent residents can sponsor.
What should I do right now?
Pull your PR application and see exactly who was declared; that decides the route.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 176
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, s. 117(9)(d)
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 25
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.