Ibrahim Gardner
International students in Canada may be able to invite their family members and friends to visit them or to attend their graduation ceremony. The process for doing so varies depending on the visitor's country of citizenship and mode of travel. Citizens of certain countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Spouses and common-law partners of international students 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, some occupations may be excluded unless a medical examination is provided. To determine the specific requirements for inviting someone to Canada, it is recommended to refer to official sources such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can be invited? | Spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, and friends |
| Documents required | Letter of invitation, confirmation of enrolment, bank statements, scholarship/bursary letters, job letter, sponsor letter |
| Visitor status | Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
| Visitor status duration | Six months or fewer |
| Spouse work permit | Open work permit with the same validity as the student's study permit |
| Children's education | Study permit required for more than six months of education |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can invite family members to Canada with a letter of invitation
- Spouses of international students can get an open work permit
- Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) are required for some citizens
- Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTA) may be needed for visa-exempt visitors
- The length of stay is decided by an immigration officer
International students can invite family members to Canada with a letter of invitation
International students can invite family members to Canada by providing them with a letter of invitation. This letter is necessary for those whose citizenship requires them to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), but it can also be used by visa-exempt visitors when entering Canada. The invitation letter should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person/people being invited.
If you are an international student who has not yet applied for permission to come to Canada, your spouse, common-law partner, and/or children can request status with you. If you are already in Canada and wish to invite family members to join you, you can support them by sending them the necessary documents to include with their application.
If your spouse or common-law partner enters Canada with an open work permit, it will likely expire on the same date as your study permit. However, if they apply only for a TRV or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), they will be admitted to Canada as a visitor. This is usually for six months or fewer. International students can invite their parents to visit on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Spouses and dependent children of international students who wish to attend educational institutions in Canada for more than six months can apply for a study permit from either overseas or inside Canada. They should be eligible to stay in Canada with the international student for as long as they have status, but this permission is not always granted immediately upon arrival.
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Spouses of international students can get an open work permit
Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows certain family members of international students to come to Canada to work and/or study. This includes the spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of international students.
To be eligible for an open work permit, the spouse or common-law partner must meet certain criteria. For example, they must be the spouse or common-law partner of an international student with a valid study permit, and the student must be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral degree program, or specific professional degree programs. Additionally, the spouse or common-law partner must provide proof of their relationship, such as a marriage license or certificate, and may need to undergo a medical examination.
If the spouse or common-law partner already has an open work permit and wishes to extend it, they must meet the same eligibility criteria as those who applied before a specified date, usually mentioned as March 19, 2024, in the sources. The extension cannot be granted beyond the expiration date of the student's study permit.
It is important to note that the process and requirements for obtaining an open work permit for spouses of international students may vary, and specific details should be confirmed with official immigration sources.
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Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) are required for some citizens
International students in Canada can invite their family members or friends to visit them. A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is a travel document that is placed in an individual's passport and is used to enter or re-enter Canada. Citizens of some countries and territories require a TRV in order to enter Canada as visitors. A TRV does not give any status inside Canada and is usually issued for the same length of time as the individual's study or work permit. It is important to note that a TRV allows an individual to travel to Canada, but a separate study or work permit is required to study or work in the country.
An international student can invite their parents to visit Canada on a TRV or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Similarly, if an international student's spouse or partner applies for a TRV or eTA, they will be admitted to Canada as a visitor. This is also applicable for their children. Those entering Canada with visitor status are typically granted a stay of six months or less. It is important to note that a visitor's passport may or may not be stamped with an expiry date, and it is the responsibility of the visitor to keep track of their arrival date and ensure they abide by the permitted duration of their stay.
To apply for a TRV from within Canada, individuals need to create an IRCC Secure Account on the IRCC website and complete a questionnaire. Based on the questionnaire, a checklist of application forms and required documents will be generated. The documents typically include a transcript, Letter of Enrolment, a copy of the passport, and more. Additionally, individuals will need to mail their passport to obtain their TRV, but only after receiving a written request from the IRCC.
It is worth noting that TRVs are not issued to permanent residents of Canada. If an individual outside of Canada does not have a valid Permanent Resident card, they must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD). On the other hand, US citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US do not require TRVs or eTAs to enter Canada.
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Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTA) may be needed for visa-exempt visitors
International students in Canada can invite their family members to visit them. "Family members" typically refer to a spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children. In some cases, parents can also be invited by the international student. To invite family members, international students can send them supporting documents to include with their application, such as a letter of invitation. This letter is necessary for those whose citizenship requires them to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) but can also be used by visa-exempt visitors.
Visa-exempt visitors are those who are citizens of countries whose citizens do not require a TRV. These visitors are, however, required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they are entering Canada by air. This includes visa-exempt foreign nationals, as well as citizens from select visa-required countries who are eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visa. The eTA costs CAD $7 and can be applied for online. To complete the form, applicants need their passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address. The eTA will be linked to the passport used to apply, and this passport must be presented when checking in for a flight to Canada.
It is important to note that some travellers are exempt from the eTA requirement. These include U.S. citizens, who must carry a valid U.S. passport, and lawful permanent residents of the United States, who must carry official proof of status and a valid passport from their country of nationality. Other exemptions include citizens of France who are residents of St. Pierre and Miquelon and are entering Canada directly from there. Additionally, foreign nationals entering Canada for specific purposes, such as civil aviation inspections or participating in aviation accident investigations, may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain conditions.
The eTA is linked to the passport used to apply, so if the passport number in the eTA approval email does not match the passport number, a new eTA must be applied for. It is important to ensure that the correct passport number is entered on the eTA form to avoid problems when flying to Canada.
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The length of stay is decided by an immigration officer
International students in Canada can invite family members or friends to join them. The length of time that invited visitors can stay in Canada is decided by an immigration officer. The expiry date of the visitor's permitted stay is communicated in one of three ways:
Firstly, the immigration officer may handwrite a date under the stamp in the visitor's passport. Secondly, the visitor may be given a document stating how long they can stay in Canada, known as a visitor record. Finally, if the immigration officer does not write anything on the passport or provide any document to the visitor, it is assumed that the visitor is allowed to stay for up to six months from the date of the stamp in their passport. Therefore, if visitors wish to stay longer than six months, they should apply for an extension of their status as a visitor before the end of the initial period.
Spouses and dependent children of international students who wish to stay in Canada for more than six months can apply for a study permit from overseas or within Canada. Spouses may also be eligible for an open work permit, which does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This open work permit is usually valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.
When inviting family members or friends to Canada, international students can support their visitors by providing certain documents to include with their application. This includes a letter of invitation, which is mandatory for those who require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Visitors who are citizens of certain countries may be exempt from needing a TRV, but most visa-exempt persons require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). U.S. citizens are a notable exception, requiring neither a TRV nor an eTA.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, an international student can invite their spouse and dependent children to Canada. If they wish to stay for more than six months, they can apply for a study permit. A spouse or partner can also apply for an open work permit.
You will need to provide a letter of invitation, confirmation of enrolment, and proof of your status in Canada. You may also need to provide bank statements, scholarship letters, and proof of income.
Citizens of certain countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. This depends on the traveller's country of citizenship and mode of travel.
Yes, international students can invite friends to Canada. The same documentation requirements apply as for family members.
