Sponsorship Options For International Students In Canada

Canada is a popular country for international students to pursue higher education, with many young adults choosing to study abroad there due to the numerous opportunities it offers. One such opportunity is the possibility of being sponsored by a Canadian citizen. International students in Canada are typically considered temporary residents and are expected to leave the country after completing their studies unless they apply for permanent residency (PR) or a work permit. Canadian citizens can sponsor their relatives to become permanent residents, agreeing to provide financial support for up to 20 years. Additionally, international students can apply for PR through various programs, including PNPs, Express Entry, or Family Sponsorship.

Can a Canadian sponsor an international student?

International students in Canada can bring their family

International students in Canada are considered temporary residents. They can bring their family members, including their spouse, common-law partner, or children, to Canada with them. This can be done by either having their family members apply for a study or work permit from outside Canada or by having them accompany the student as a visitor for less than six months. If the family members intend to stay in Canada for longer than six months, they can apply for a visitor record extension.

If the international student's spouse or partner moves to Canada with them on a visitor visa but later decides to work, they can get their status changed and qualify for an open work permit. To be eligible for a Canadian study permit, the spouse or partner must gain admission to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and follow the standard study permit application procedure. Applicants from 14 countries, including India, China, Pakistan, and Brazil, are also eligible for faster study permit processing under the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

When applying for a study or work permit, the international student's family members will need to show proof of adequate funds to support their stay in Canada. In addition to the minimum funds required for the student, family members should generally demonstrate at least C$4,000 for the first family member and C$3,000 for each additional family member, with slightly higher amounts in Quebec. They will also need to show proof of the student's status and an invitation letter outlining the family's reasons for visiting Canada. The visa officer will only approve the study permit application and the family's visas if they are convinced that the applicant can financially support their family during their stay.

It is important to note that having family members accompany the international student to Canada may affect the visa officer's decision on whether to issue a study permit. The officer may suspect that the student does not intend to leave Canada after their study program, which can impact the approval of the study permit. Therefore, applicants should carefully consider their reasons for bringing their family to Canada and be prepared to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support their family during their stay.

Sponsors must provide bank statements, tax assessments, and proof of relationship

If you are an international student in Canada, you are considered a temporary resident. Unless you apply for permanent residence (PR) or a work permit, the Canadian government expects you to leave the country once you have completed your studies.

You can apply for PR through several programs, including PNPs, Express Entry, or Family Sponsorship. If you are issued a study permit, it is because you have been accepted into a Canadian school. If you are studying at the post-secondary level, you can change your school, program, field of study, or level of study without needing to apply for a new study permit. Once you are accepted into the new program, you simply need to notify the IRCC of the change of school.

If you are seeking to be sponsored by a relative in Canada, your sponsor will need to provide their bank statements for 12 months, a tax assessment for 24 months, a copy of their passport or citizenship card, a notarized letter of sponsorship, and proof of their relationship with you. This proof of relationship could include land deeds with your mother's and sponsor's names on them or your birth certificate with your parent's name on it.

If your sponsor lives in Quebec, they must also meet Quebec's conditions for sponsorship, which includes signing an "undertaking" with the province. This is a contract that binds the sponsorship. When sponsoring a relative to become a permanent resident of Canada, the sponsor must agree in writing to provide financial support to their relative and any other eligible relatives coming with them. This financial support must be provided from the date the sponsored individual becomes a permanent resident and for up to 20 years, depending on the age and relationship of the sponsored individual.

Quebec residents must meet additional conditions

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can sponsor an international student's studies. The individual you are sponsoring will need to provide your bank statements for 12 months, tax assessments for 24 months, a copy of your passport or citizenship card, a notarized letter of sponsorship, and proof of your relationship with them. This could include land deeds or their birth certificate.

For Quebec residents, additional conditions must be met. These include signing an "undertaking" with the province, which is a contract that binds your sponsorship. This means that when you sponsor a relative to become a permanent resident of Canada, you must agree in writing to provide financial support to your relative and any other eligible relatives who come with them. This begins on the date they become a permanent resident and can last for up to 20 years, depending on their age and your relationship. The person you sponsor must also sign an agreement stating that they will make an effort to support themselves, including any sponsored dependent children aged 18 or older. It is important to note that dependent children under 19 are exempt from signing this agreement.

As a sponsor, you must also agree to certain conditions, such as not having sponsored another relative in the past and failed to meet the terms of the sponsorship agreement. Additionally, you must not have been convicted of a violent crime, any offence against a relative, or any sexual offence. These conditions are in place to ensure that sponsors are capable and willing to provide the necessary financial support to their relatives.

International students in Canada are considered temporary residents, and the Canadian government expects them to leave the country after completing their studies unless they apply for permanent residency or a work permit. There are several programs through which one can apply for permanent residency, including PNPs, Express Entry, or Family Sponsorship. It is worth noting that international students on a study permit are allowed to bring their families to Canada during their studies, and their spouse or common-law partner may apply for a work permit if the student is enrolled full-time at an authorized institution.

Permanent residency is available through several programs

International students in Canada are considered temporary residents, and the Canadian government expects them to leave the country after completing their studies unless they apply for permanent residency or a work permit. Permanent residency is available through several programs, and here are some of them:

PNPs, Express Entry, or Family Sponsorship

An international student can apply for permanent residency through these programs. Family sponsorship requires the sponsor to provide financial support to the student and any other eligible relatives coming with them. The sponsorship is binding and is usually for up to 20 years. The sponsored person must agree in writing to make an effort to support themselves, except for dependent children under 18.

Sponsorship by a Canadian Citizen

A Canadian citizen can sponsor an international student's studies. The student will need to provide the sponsor's bank statements for 12 months, tax assessments for 24 months, a copy of their passport or citizenship card, a notarized letter of sponsorship, and proof of their relationship. This can include documents such as land deeds or birth certificates.

It is important to note that the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining permanent residency in Canada may vary, and it is always recommended to consult official government sources or seek professional advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Spouses can apply for a work permit if the student is a full-time student

Spouses of international students in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages. An open work permit does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but it may exclude certain occupations, such as jobs in schools or hospitals, unless a medical examination is provided.

The spouse of an international student can apply for an open work permit after the student's classes have started. This is to ensure a faster and safer study permit application. The processing time for a Canadian open work permit is approximately 52 weeks if the spouse is outside Canada, and this is shortened to 134 days for spouses applying from inside the country.

To apply for an open work permit, the international student can visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and start an application for a work permit. They can then download the application package and fill out the IMM 5710 form. They must then gather the documents specified in the Document Checklist from the application package. The applicant must then pay their $255 CAD application fee online and print a receipt to include with their application. If the application is approved, the applicant's spouse will receive their open work permit document in the mail.

If the spouse or partner already has an open work permit and wants to extend it, they must meet the same eligibility criteria as those who applied before March 19, 2024. The spouse must provide a valid letter of acceptance from the student to prove their enrolment in a program of study.

Frequently asked questions