A42 Inadmissibility: Inadmissible Family Member
Inadmissibility that flows from a family member's inadmissibility — your application can be affected by an accompanying member's status.
What A42 means
A42 refers to section 42 of the Act. In many temporary and permanent categories, a foreign national can be inadmissible if an accompanying family member — or in some cases a non-accompanying family member — is themselves inadmissible.
This means the underlying issue often sits with a family member, and resolving that issue is central.
Why officers cite A42
- An accompanying family member is inadmissible on another ground
- In some categories, a non-accompanying family member's inadmissibility
What it does not mean
- It does not always reflect an issue with your own eligibility
- It does not apply identically across every category
General options after a A42 refusal
Resolve the underlying ground. Because A42 flows from another person's inadmissibility, addressing that specific ground is usually the key step.
Seek licensed representation. A licensed consultant or lawyer can map how the family member's issue affects the whole application.
This page explains what a refusal code means and is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and it does not recommend a course of action for your specific case. Refusal decisions are discretionary and fact-specific. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a CICC-licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
Common questions
Why am I inadmissible if the issue is my family member's?
In many categories, an accompanying family member's inadmissibility can extend to the principal applicant. Resolving the family member's underlying ground is usually central.
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