Are you an International Student in Canada? Bring your loved ones with you while studying

Nearly 100,000 international students annually come to Canada from all over the world to obtain a high-quality post-secondary education. And when in Canada, they can be comforted to know that they can be surrounded by their loved ones while pursue their dreams.

Canada’s commitment towards family reunification is clear and crisp. International students along with their immediate family members can get an opportunity to experience the exciting life in Canada together.

Thanks to generous immigration policy of Canada, the country also allows the spouse and dependent children of students to accompany them for the purposes like working and studying in Canada. In this way, their family is also benefited from a Canadian experience.

Let's find about the options and process in detail!

For Spouse or Common-Law Partner

If you are an international student in Canada, then your spouse or common-law partner can apply for Canada's open work permit under following scenarios:

·????????If you are pursuing a full-time study program

·????????If you are studying at a public post-secondary institution

·????????If you are studying at a private post-secondary institution, which operates under a public institution's rules and regulations and the government grants them half of the overall operations budget

·????????If your private institution is authorized by Canadian provincial statute to provide degrees or diplomas

With an open work permit in Canada, your spouse can work for any employer without a Labour Market Opinion or any prior job offer. However, the work?permit will have a validity period as your study permit and may exclude your partner from working under specific occupations where the protection of Canadians health is important, until and unless the applicant undergoes a medical examination for immigration purpose.

As mentioned above, this way, you can not only bring your spouse or partner with your, but, he/she can also gain relevant Canadian work experience, which would help them financially support the family.

For Dependent Children

Anyone who is under the age of majority is considered as a minor child in Canada. The age of majority differs as per the province. In Alberta, Ontario, PEI, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the age of majority is 18 years, while in provinces like, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon, the age is 19.

A minor child who is already in Canada with at least one of his/her parent who holds a work or study permit doesn't need a study permit to attend a pre-school, primary, or secondary school. However, once the child reaches the said age of majority in particular province, the child need to obtain a study permit to pursue studies in Canada.

About application process

It is a known fact that you as an international student in Canada can bring your dependents with you to Canada by one of two pathways.

One of the popular route is by submitting their visa applications at the same time as yours. While, another option is to wait until you get your Canadian study permit, and then submit the applications of your accompanying dependents.

While applying for a study permit in Canada, you must provided all the information for all your accompanying family members. For the purpose of application approval, you must demonstrate enough proof funds to financially support their stay when in Canada.

Additionally, applicants are also required to undergo an immigration medical examination and submit PCC i.e. Police Clearance Certificates.

Depending upon their country of citizenship or residence, they might need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa along with a study permit.

If your spouse or common-law partner is planning to work in Canada, he/she can apply for an Open Work Permit before entering Canada or upon arrival, or after entering.

In case of minor child who is entering Canada with you may get a visitor record, even if he/she child are going to study in Canada. Reason being, a minor children in Canada can study at a pre, primary or secondary school without a study permit.