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Guide to Bringing Your Family to Canada

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by Kathy Watkins

Bringing Your Spouse, Partner, or Family to Canada

Are you considering having your spouse, common-law partner, or other family members join you in Canada? Canada’s welcoming immigration policies enable certain family members of international students to come to Canada to work or study. At Immigration to Canada, we provide detailed information on how you can bring your loved ones to Canada while you pursue your studies.

Canada allows eligible family members of international students to join them, making it easier to support and stay connected with your loved ones during your academic journey. Whether it’s a spouse, a common-law partner, or other family members, the process is designed to be as straightforward as possible.

Our comprehensive guide will help you understand the necessary steps to bring your family to Canada. This includes information on dependent visas, work permits for spouses, and study permits for children. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth immigration process for your family.

Bringing your Family to Canada

Definition of Family Member

Visitor Visas for Canada

Depending on your nationality, you may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada. Note that you must apply for a TRV before arriving, as it’s not available at the Port of Entry. Some applicants may need to undergo a medical exam, which could extend the processing time of your application.

Certain nationalities are exempt from needing a TRV. However, as of November 10, 2016, most of these visa-exempt individuals must have an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. U.S. citizens are the primary exception to this rule; they do not require a TRV or an eTA.

To find out if you or your family members need a TRV or eTA, use the Visiting Canada Tool.

Open Work Permits for Spouses

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the eligibility criteria for spouses of international students seeking open work permits. An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada without needing a job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). However, certain jobs, especially those in schools or hospitals, may require a medical exam.

Typically, the duration of this spousal open work permit aligns with the length of the international student’s study permit.

Eligibility Conditions for Your Spouse’s Open Work Permit

If you’ve submitted an application after March 19th, 2024, your spouse must meet certain criteria to qualify for an open work permit. Here’s what you need to know:

Necessary Qualifications for Students:

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
  • Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  • Doctor of Optometry (OD)
  • Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
  • Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng., BE, BASc)

Required Documents for Your Spouse:

  • A valid letter of acceptance from your designated learning institution (DLI).
  • A proof of enrollment letter from your DLI.
  • Transcripts from your current program.

Proof of Relationship:

Conditions for Applications Made Before March 19th:

For applications made before March 19th, the criteria differ slightly. Here are the conditions your spouse must meet:

  • A public post-secondary institution, such as a college, university, or CEGEP in Quebec.
  • A private post-secondary institution in Quebec.
  • A Canadian private school authorized to award degrees under provincial law (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees).

Work Permit and Study Permit Application Process

At Immigration to Canada, we understand the importance of keeping families together during the immigration process. Canadian visa offices abroad often process work permit applications simultaneously with study permit applications. To achieve this, you must include work permit processing fees along with study permit fees.

Alternatively, spouses or common-law partners can initially enter Canada as visitors and apply for a work permit once they have arrived. For citizens of countries that do not require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), this can be done at a Canadian Port of Entry. In certain cases, even citizens of visa-required countries might consider this option.

Study Permit Regulations for Minor Children

If you or your spouse or common-law partner is already in Canada, your minor child can study at the preschool, primary, or secondary level without needing a study permit. However, once your child reaches the age of majority in their province, they must apply for a study permit to continue their education. This permit can be obtained from within Canada.

For those applying from outside Canada, a study permit application for your child must be submitted at a Canadian visa office overseas.

Bringing your Family to Canada

Bringing Your Family to Canada

Planning to study in Canada and want to bring your family along? If you and your family are arriving simultaneously, you might consider completing a single application for everyone. If you require different permits—such as a study permit for yourself and a work permit for your spouse or common-law partner—you’ll need additional documents and should be prepared to pay extra fees for each permit type.

Permit Extensions If you need to extend your stay or change the terms of your permits while in Canada, you must file a separate application. Ensure you check the expiration date on your study permit and submit your extension request at least 30 days prior to that date.

For a seamless process, contact Immigration to Canada for expert guidance on bringing your family and extending your stay.

Does Your Child Need a Study Permit for Canada?

Children who come to Canada with an adult on a work or study permit are allowed to attend pre-school, primary, and secondary schools without needing a study permit.

Here are the details based on the child’s status:

Canadian Citizens

  • Documents Needed: Passport, citizenship card, or birth certificate
  • Study Permit Required: No

Canadian Permanent Residents

  • Documents Needed: Record of Landing (IMM 1000), Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292), or Permanent Resident Card
  • Study Permit Required: No

Foreign Nationals with Visitor Status Parents

  • Documents Needed: Stamp on the child’s passport or on the parent’s passport where the child is listed
  • Study Permit Required: Yes

Children with Temporary Resident Parents Holding Study or Work Permits

  • Documents Needed: Child’s passport or child listed on the parent’s passport, which may include a visitor record; the parent has a study or work permit
  • Study Permit Required: No

Refugee Claimants, Accompanied or Not

  • Documents Needed: Determination of Eligibility letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), child’s passport or child listed on a parent’s passport, or any available travel or identity documents; may also have an expired IRCC document
  • Study Permit Required: No

Children Without Status in Canada

  • Documents Needed: Child’s passport or child listed on a parent’s passport, or any available travel or identity documents; may also have an expired IRCC document
  • Study Permit Required: No

Bringing Your Parents to Canada on a Study Permit

Are you an international student looking to bring your parents to Canada while you study? At Immigration to Canada, we can help make this possible. International students can invite their parents for a visit on either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Both options allow parents to travel to Canada and spend time with their children who are studying here.

FAQ
How to sponsor a spouse or partner?

To sponsor your spouse or common-law partner, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You need to submit a sponsorship application that includes various forms and supporting documents to prove your relationship and financial stability. The application process involves verifying your relationship, such as marriage certificates or proof of living together, and ensuring you meet the financial criteria to support your spouse or partner upon their arrival in Canada.

What documents are needed for sponsorship?

Crucial documents include proofs of relationship, such as a marriage certificate or evidence of a common-law partnership, and identity documents like passports and birth certificates. Sponsors must provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, financial statements to show the ability to support the spouse or partner, and police certificates. Additionally, you will need to complete and submit specific forms, including IMM 1344 (Application to Sponsor) and IMM 5532 (Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation).

Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?

Yes, you can sponsor your parents or grandparents through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP). The process starts with submitting an Expression of Interest when the program opens. If you receive an invitation to apply, you will need to submit a detailed application proving that you meet the necessary financial requirements to support your parents or grandparents and showing you can ensure their well-being once they are in Canada.

What is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows them to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time without needing to renew their status. The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. Applicants need to meet certain criteria, including purchasing medical insurance coverage for at least one year and providing a letter of invitation from their family in Canada, which confirms the relationship and the ability to host and financially support them during their stay.

What defines a common-law partner?

A common-law partner is someone you have been living with in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. This means you share daily living responsibilities, financial expenses, and emotional support similar to that of a marriage. To prove a common-law relationship, you'll need to show continuous cohabitation and provide evidence such as shared property leases, joint bank accounts, utility bills with both names, and affidavits from friends and family.

Can my spouse or partner work during the application process?

Yes, if your spouse or common-law partner is applying from within Canada under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class, they can apply for an open work permit. This permit allows them to work for any employer in Canada while their sponsorship application is being processed. It is advisable to apply for the open work permit at the same time as the sponsorship application to reduce waiting times and ensure they can start working as soon as possible.

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