Family reunification is a key objective of Canada's immigration policy. Family Class immigrants are people sponsored to come to Canada or to remain in Canada.

Family Class immigrants are people sponsored to come to, or remain in Canada by a relative who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. The Family Class applicant must be the sponsor's:

  spouse, common-law or conjugal partner;

  dependent child, including a child adopted abroad;

  child under 18 years of age to be adopted in Canada;

  parent or grandparent; or

  brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild who has been orphaned, is under 18 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law        partner.

Dependent children of a sponsored immigrant may be included in that person's application.
In addition, spouses or common-law partners who are 16 years of age or older, and have legal temporary status in Canada as visitors, students, or temporary workers or Temporary Resident Permit holders may apply under the In-Canada Class.

Applicants and their family members are subject to medical, criminal and background checks.