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. Spouses or partners can apply for a work permit before or after arriving in Canada, and they are eligible to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible. The work permit is usually issued for the same duration as the student's study permit. To apply for a work permit, spouses or partners must meet certain eligibility criteria and submit the required documentation, including proof of the student's enrolment in a program of study. International students must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their families during their stay in Canada.

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

Spouses of international students in Canada may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in the country, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages. This open work permit is usually valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.

To be eligible, the international student must have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer. Additionally, the spouse or common-law partner must meet specific eligibility criteria and provide proof of the student's enrolment in a program of study. It is important to note that the spouse's open work permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of the student's study permit.

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. Applications received after January 21, 2025, will be processed under the new eligibility criteria.

When applying for a study permit, international students can include their spouse on their application. However, doing so may impact the approval of the study permit, as visa officers may suspect that the student does not intend to leave Canada after their studies. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family during their stay.

Including a spouse in the application for Express Entry can increase the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and double the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

The student must have a valid study permit

International students in Canada are allowed to bring their spouses and dependants with them. However, this requires a valid study permit, and the process is not always straightforward.

Firstly, it is important to note that a study permit is a temporary resident permit. This means that the holder must satisfy the visa officer that they will leave Canada when their permit expires. If a student requests to bring their whole family, the visa officer may suspect that the student does not intend to leave Canada after their studies. This can affect the visa officer's decision on whether or not to issue the study permit. All study permit applicants are asked to submit a statement explaining why they want to pursue their education in Canada. This statement can be used to explain why the student wishes to have their spouse accompany them.

If a foreign national is approved for a study permit in Canada with their spouse accompanying them, the spouse will be eligible to apply for a spousal open work permit. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those that offer sexual services. The spousal open work permit is usually valid for the same amount of time as the student's study permit.

To apply for a spousal open work permit, the student must have a valid study permit and be physically in Canada or planning to be while studying. They must be a full-time student enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution (DLI) and not in the last term of their study program. The spouse must meet the eligibility criteria and provide documents to prove the student's enrolment.

The student must be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer

Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows certain family members of international students to join them in the country. This includes spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children.

If you are an international student in Canada, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for a spousal open work permit. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada, except those listed as ineligible or those offering sexual services. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer. This is a recent change to the eligibility criteria, which came into effect on January 21, 2025.

If your spouse or partner has already entered Canada as a visitor, they may apply for an open work permit online from inside Canada, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Alternatively, they can apply for a work permit before or after they arrive in Canada. The work permit will usually be issued for the same length of time as your study permit. It is important to note that your spouse or partner's open work permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of your study permit.

If you wish to bring your spouse to Canada, you can include them on your application for a Canadian study permit. However, doing so may impact the approval of your study permit, as visa officers may suspect that you do not intend to leave Canada after your studies. If you are concerned about this, you can apply for a study permit without your family members and then submit an amended application requesting authorization for your spouse to join you.

The spouse must meet eligibility criteria and provide certain documents

A foreign national can include their spouse on their application for a Canadian study permit. However, this may affect the approval of the study permit. If approved, the spouse will be eligible to apply for a spousal open work permit. This work permit will authorise the spouse to work full-time for any employer in Canada for the same period as the student's study permit.

Spouses of international students must meet eligibility criteria to be eligible for an open work permit. From 21 January 2025, the spouse of an international student will be eligible for an open work permit if the student has a valid study permit and is enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer. Before this date, the spouse must be enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution (DLI) and not be in their last term of study.

Spouses of international students must provide certain documents when applying for a spousal open work permit. These include proof of their relationship, such as marriage certificates or evidence of cohabitation, and proof of the student's enrolment in a program of study. This can include a valid letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution or proof that the student is a full-time student.

If the international student and their spouse are applying for their visas together, they must have been married for at least one year before applying and provide adequate documents related to their marriage.

The student must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support their family

International students in Canada are allowed to bring their spouses and common-law partners to the country. However, to do so, they must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support their family. This is a key part of the Canadian study permit process and is intended to prove that the student can support themselves and their family members during their studies without facing financial difficulties.

The primary purpose of showing proof of funds is to demonstrate that the student has the financial means to support themselves and their family during their studies. This includes covering tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation costs. By doing so, international students can ensure that they can sustain themselves without relying on employment or public funds in Canada.

There are several ways to demonstrate proof of funds. One way is to provide bank statements, letters from financial institutions, or documents showing scholarships, loans, or other financial support. Another way is to provide proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant's name, especially if they have transferred money to Canada. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution is also accepted as proof of funds.

The required amount of funds varies depending on the province and the length of the study program. However, it generally must cover at least one year's worth of tuition and living expenses. For example, outside of Quebec, an international student needs $10,000 per year for themselves, plus $4,000 for a family member. In Quebec, the requirement is $11,000 for the student, $5,100 for an adult family member, or $3,800 for a child under 18.

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