Can I Bring My Family to Canada as a Temporary Resident?
Family reunification is one of the biggest parts of Canadian immigration. If you’re in Canada temporarily, there are several ways your spouse may qualify for an open work permit while you’re here.
Here are some of the categories that your spouse may be eligible to apply under for an open work permit.
Can I Bring My Family to Canada as a Work Permit Holder?
If you get a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and apply for a work permit, you might be able to bring your spouse with you to Canada. Before January 21, 2025, your children could also join you. However, after that date, only the spouses of specific workers will be allowed to come and work in Canada.
Who is Eligible?
Only workers in specific high-demand jobs, like those in TEER 0 or 1 categories (or some TEER 2 or 3 jobs), can apply to bring their spouses with them. These jobs include fields like science and engineering, construction, health care, natural resources (like mining or forestry), education, sports, and the military. If your job is in one of these areas, your spouse can join you.
However, whether you can bring your spouse depends on your job, how long your work permit is valid for, and what your spouse plans to do in Canada.
Can I Bring My Family to Canada While My Sponsorship Application is in Process?
To qualify for a family Open Work Permit (OWP), the worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit. Then, the spouse can apply for an OWP, which allows them to work for almost any employer in Canada.
With this permit, your spouse can work for most employers, except those that are not eligible, such as businesses that don’t follow the rules or those involved in services like striptease, erotic dancing, escorting, or adult massages.
To apply for a spouse open work permit in Canada, ensure you:
- Complete the designated application forms, such as the IMM 5533, providing accurate and up-to-date information.
- Include essential documents, such as proof of marriage through a marriage certificate, and valid passports for both spouses.
- Previous authorizations that have been received from IRCC will need to be included in your application
- Pay the required application fee online and provide recent passport-sized photographs adhering to specified requirements.
- If your permanent residence application is being processed under the spousal public policy and you don’t have valid temporary resident status, you must wait until you receive your approval in principle letter to be eligible for an open work permit.
- You can apply for a work permit without an AOR if your work permit, study permit, or temporary resident status expires in 2 weeks or less, and you’ve applied for permanent residence under either the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (SCLPC) or the Family Class as a spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner (sponsored overseas).
- Additionally, include supporting documents, which may vary based on individual circumstances, such as proof of financial support, medical examination results, or police clearance certificates.
- To strengthen your application, include evidence showcasing the authenticity of your relationship, such as photographs, joint financial documents, or letters of support from friends and family.
Regularly check the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the latest requirements, and consider seeking guidance from an immigration professional for personalized assistance.
If your family members does not plan to work
They should apply for a visitor visa and/or a visitor record if they are in Canada. To review the specific requirements for each pathway, please refer to the following resources:
Can I Bring My Family to Canada as an International Student?
International Student Spouse
If you’re accepted into a Canadian school and have a valid study permit, you can include your spouse in your application. However, not all spouses of international students qualify for an Open Work Permit (OWP). Only the spouses of students in specific programs—like Master’s programs lasting 16 months or more, PhD programs, or certain professional programs listed on the government website can apply.
It is important to note that spouses of foreign workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be impacted by these changes.
International Student Parents
A common question we often receive is whether parents can accompany their child who is an international student. Typically, the answer is no. However, there is a unique exception to this rule. If your child is a minor (under the age of 18) and does not have a guardian in Canada, you may be eligible to accompany them to Canada.
The child’s parents or legal guardians have to show that someone will be taking care of them throughout the duration of their stay in Canada. That means that the child under the age of 18 must come to Canada with their parent or guardian or prove that the have a custodian already in Canada who will be responsible for them.
If your child is under the age of 18 and has been accepted into a Canadian school and has no one to look after them while in Canada, you may be able to apply for a visitor record. This is a document that allows you to accompany your child to look after them. When your child applies for a study permit, your visitor record will demonstrate that your child has someone to care for them while they study. A minor without anyone to care for them in Canada will not be able to successfully apply for a study permit.
However, if your child is 18 years of age or older, has family in Canada that can care for them, or if they are attending a boarding school, you will not be able to apply for a visitor record, and they will still be able to apply for a study permit.
Canadian immigration is complicated, and it changes frequently. The Canadim Team can help! Complete our free online assessment today to discover how to bring your family with you.
Free AssessmentDiscover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!