Bringing A Spouse To Canada As An International Student

Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows international students to bring their spouses or common-law partners to the country. The spouse can apply for a work or study permit, or a visitor visa, and may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any eligible employer in Canada. To be eligible, the international student must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their spouse, and the spouse must meet certain criteria, such as being 18 years or older and having a clean police record. The process of bringing a spouse to Canada as an international student involves various steps, including submitting the required documentation, meeting financial requirements, and complying with visa and permit regulations.

Spouses of international students in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit

Canada's immigration policy allows international students to bring certain family members to the country while they study. This includes spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children.

To apply for an open work permit for a spouse, you must meet the eligibility criteria. As of January 21, 2025, the spouse must have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer at a designated learning institution (DLI). They must also provide proof of enrolment in a program of study leading to a degree.

If the spouse already has an open work permit and wishes to extend it, they must meet the same eligibility criteria as those who applied before March 19, 2024. The extension cannot be granted beyond the expiration date of the student's study permit.

International students in Canada must prove they will leave the country when their permit expires

International students in Canada are allowed to bring their spouse or partner to the country. The spouse or partner may even be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada, barring a few exceptions. However, international students in Canada must also prove that they will leave the country when their permit expires. Here are some ways to demonstrate this:

Firstly, a positive travel history is a great way to show that you can be trusted to leave Canada after your studies. This strategy works well if you have visited multiple countries and have always complied with visa expiration dates. A strong passport from a country like Singapore or Japan also indicates that your Canadian study permit application is unlikely to be rejected.

Secondly, demonstrating strong ties to your home country increases your chances of approval. This could include proof of employment, property ownership, or business ownership. Being a member of community organizations, such as a charity group or minority rights group, can also indicate your intention to return home.

Thirdly, meeting all the study permit conditions is essential. Failure to do so may result in a request to leave the country or a waiting period before applying for a new study permit. Some conditions listed on Canadian study permits include not taking unauthorized leaves longer than 150 days and actively pursuing your studies.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for spouses of international students to obtain an open work permit have changed. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully review the requirements and consult official sources or experts in Canadian immigration for the most up-to-date information.

Spouses of international students in Canada may need to submit a medical examination

International students in Canada are allowed to bring their spouses or partners to the country. However, there are several requirements that must be met for this to happen. One of the requirements is that the spouse or partner of the international student may need to submit a medical examination report as part of their application. This is because Canada's immigration policy allows certain family members of international students to come to Canada to work and/or study. In this context, "family member" refers to a spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, and dependent children.

The medical examination must be conducted by an approved panel physician, and the results are only valid for 12 months. The panel physician will ask for identification to confirm the identity of the person being examined. A chest X-ray or other tests may be required, and identification will need to be presented again for these tests. The physician will also take a picture for their records and fill out a medical history questionnaire. It is important to disclose any previous or existing medical conditions to the panel physician. The results of the medical examination will be sent directly to the Canadian immigration authorities, and it is recommended to keep a copy of the document as proof of the immigration medical exam.

In addition to the medical examination, there are several other requirements that must be met for the spouse or partner of an international student to join them in Canada. These include providing a clear copy of the passport, proof of the relationship with the student visa holder (such as a marriage certificate), a letter of acceptance from the educational institution, and financial proof demonstrating the ability to cover living expenses and tuition fees. The spouse or partner may also need to provide proof of language proficiency through standardized tests.

It is important to note that the spouse or partner of an international student may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada without requiring a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment. However, certain occupations, such as jobs in schools or hospitals, may require a medical examination for the spouse or partner to be eligible. The open work permit for the spouse is typically valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.

International students in Canada must demonstrate sufficient funds to support their spouse

Canada's immigration policy allows international students to bring their spouses or common-law partners to the country during their study programme. However, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their spouse while in Canada.

To prove this, applicants must provide evidence of financial support, such as a letter from their bank or other financial institution, stating their savings or regular income. This letter should be on official letterhead and include the applicant's name, address, and account numbers. Additionally, applicants may include other documents such as pay slips, bank statements, or investment statements. It is important to note that proof of property cannot be used as evidence of financial support.

The required financial threshold is not considered excessively high, as it is assumed that the spouse will be employed in Canada and contribute financially. However, the applicant must demonstrate that they possess sufficient funds to cover the expenses associated with their study programme and any additional costs for their spouse. As of 2024, international students applying for a study permit in Canada must provide proof of funds showing a minimum of $20,635, plus tuition fees, in their or their sponsor's bank statement. Extra funds are required for each accompanying spouse and dependent child. For example, if you and two family members want to stay in a province or territory other than Quebec for a year, you will need $31,583 for living expenses.

Spouses of international students may be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those offering specific adult entertainment services. The open work permit is usually valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.

Spouses of international students in Canada can apply for a work permit before or after arrival

Spouses of international students in Canada can apply for a work permit before or after their arrival in the country. The spouse of an international student can be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer erotic entertainment services. The validity of the spousal open work permit is usually the same as the validity of the student's study permit.

To be eligible for an open work permit, the international student must have a valid study permit, be physically present in Canada while studying, be enrolled as a full-time student in a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution (DLI), and not be in the last term of their study program. The spouse must also provide documents to prove the student's enrolment in a program of study leading to a degree.

If the spouse does not meet the eligibility criteria for an open work permit, they may be able to get another type of work permit. They must apply for their own work permit and, in some cases, may need to apply for a work permit for a specific employer. The employer may be required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire the spouse.

It is important to note that bringing a spouse to Canada as an international student can impact housing and health insurance needs, and additional funds may be required to support the spouse. Additionally, the spouse's work permit application may require extra documentation and fees.

Frequently asked questions