# Canada ends refugee family sponsorship exemption > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canada-ends-refugee-family-sponsorship-exemption > Updated: 2026-09-14T17:12:03.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. The Canadian government has discontinued a seven-year temporary immigration policy that allowed certain refugees and permanent residents to sponsor family members, such as spouses or children, who were not originally declared in their initial residency applications. The policy, which expired in mid-September, was designed to address gaps in standard immigration rules for those arriving via resettlement or refugee programs. Previously, the measure allowed for the sponsorship of undeclared dependents, a process that had seen approximately 2,000 applications. Following the end of this provision, applicants are now required to disclose complete information regarding marriages, common-law relationships, and children at the start of the permanent residency process. While the special pathway has ended, a ministry spokesperson noted that affected individuals may instead apply for exemptions based on ‘humanitarian or compassionate grounds.’ Standard family class sponsorship rules remain in effect. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Canada ends policy for sponsoring undeclared family members Canada has ended a policy allowing certain permanent residents to sponsor undeclared family members, requiring full disclosure of marital and family history from the start of the immigration process. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-ends-policy-for-sponsoring-undeclared-family-members ### 2026-09-11: Canada ends refugee family sponsorship exemption Canada has ended a temporary policy allowing refugees to sponsor family members not originally declared in their residency applications, directing them to apply via humanitarian exemptions instead. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-ends-refugee-family-sponsorship-exemption --- Cite as: Canada ends refugee family sponsorship exemption. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canada-ends-refugee-family-sponsorship-exemption