Lana Oconnell
Canada allows international students to bring their minor children to the country, but there are several requirements that must be met. The minor child must obtain a study permit, which is valid for one year for primary school students and up to four years for secondary school students. The child must also have a letter of acceptance from the school they will be attending. In addition, the parent must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their child during their stay in Canada. The parent will not be eligible for a work permit and will hold visitor status, with the same duration as the child's study permit. It is important to note that including family members on a study permit application may influence the visa officer's decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can international students bring their minor kids to Canada? | Yes, international students can bring their minor children to Canada. |
| What is a minor? | A minor is someone who isn't legally considered an adult. The age cut-off varies from province to province. |
| What is the process for bringing minor children to Canada? | Minor children must apply for a study permit if they want to study in Canada. This includes children whose parents are applying for a study or work permit. |
| What documents are required for the application? | The application requires documents such as a letter of acceptance from the school, proof of financial support, and valid visitor status or a visitor visa/Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). |
| Can parents accompany their minor children to Canada? | Yes, one of the parents can accompany their minor child to Canada on a visitor visa. The duration of the parent's visitor visa will match the child's study permit. |
| What are the requirements for the parent accompanying the minor child? | The parent will not be eligible for a work permit and will hold visitor status. They must prove that the minor child will have the necessary care and support during their stay. |
| What is the validity of the minor's study permit? | The validity depends on the child's education level, ranging from 1 year for Grade 1 to Grade 8 students and up to 4 years for secondary school students. |
| Can international students invite their parents to Canada? | Yes, international students can invite their parents to visit on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). |
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What You'll Learn
Study permits for minor children of international students
International students can bring their minor children to Canada, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, minor children who want to study in Canada must apply for a study permit before entering the country. This includes minor children whose parents are applying for a study or work permit. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, minor children of international students do not need a study permit if they are already in Canada and plan to attend preschool, primary, or secondary school. In this case, they can study with just a visitor record or a Canadian entry stamp on their passport.
It is important to note that the length of a minor's study permit is based on the letter of acceptance from the educational institution in Canada. Study permits for primary school students are typically issued for one year and can be renewed, while permits for secondary school students can be issued for up to a maximum of four years. To renew a study permit, it is recommended to apply at least 90 days before the current permit expires.
In addition to the study permit, minor children must have valid passports or travel documents to enter Canada. They may also need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their country of origin. For those entering Canada by air, an eTA is required. Additionally, parents or legal guardians must prove that the minor child will have the necessary care and support during their stay in Canada. This may involve appointing a custodian, who is a responsible adult that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
While on a study permit, international students can invite their parents or legal guardians to visit them in Canada using a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It is important to ensure that all the necessary documents are in order before travelling to Canada, as border services officers may request to see them upon entry.
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Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) for minor children
International students can bring their minor children to Canada, but they must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before their departure. A TRV is an official document issued by a Canadian visa office that is placed in the passport of an individual to show that they have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident.
Requirements for a TRV
To obtain a TRV, individuals must show that they meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and that they will be in Canada for a temporary stay. They must also show that they:
- Have enough money to maintain themselves and their family members in Canada and to return home.
- Do not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so.
- Are law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity.
- Will leave Canada at the end of their visit.
- Have ties such as a job, home, financial assets, or family that will take them back to their home country.
In addition to the application forms and required fees, individuals must submit photos, proof of financial support, a photocopy of their return ticket or travel itinerary (if applicable), and any other documents required by the visa office responsible for their country or region. A medical examination may be required, which can add significant processing time to the application.
TRV for Minor Children
Minor children must meet the same entry requirements as adults. They may be asked by a border services officer to show other documents depending on whether they are travelling alone or with someone. If the minor child is travelling with adults other than their parents or legal guardians, they need to show proof that they have permission from their parents or legal guardians to travel to Canada.
If the minor child intends to study in Canada, they must apply for a study permit. This includes minor children who come with parents who are applying for a study or work permit. Study permits for primary school students are issued for a period of one year and can be renewed, while study permits for secondary school students can be issued for up to a maximum of four years. Minors who don't have a study permit must have valid visitor status during their stay in Canada.
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Custodianship for minor children
International students can bring their minor children to Canada, but there are several requirements that must be met. Firstly, minor children need a valid study permit to enrol in Canadian schools, except for those enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or primary or secondary school who have a parent that is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Study permits for primary school students are issued for one year and can be renewed, while permits for secondary school students can be issued for the full length of the intended period of study, up to a maximum of four years.
If a minor child arrives in Canada without a parent or legal guardian, a custodian is required. A custodian is a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and will take care of and support the minor child. The custodian must be aged 19 or older and live near the student's residence and school to provide timely support. Experience with international students and familiarity with the local education system are also beneficial.
To appoint a custodian, parents or legal guardians must complete the Custodianship Declaration Form (IMM 5646), which needs to be signed and notarized by both the custodian and the parents or legal guardians. The form must be submitted along with the minor child's study permit application. For minors under 17, the Custodianship Declaration Form is mandatory, and the absence of a custodian will result in a refusal of the application. For minors 17 years of age and older, a custodian is optional, but an immigration officer may request one based on the child's circumstances.
In addition to the study permit and custodianship requirements, minor children travelling to Canada must provide proof that they have permission from their parents or legal guardians to travel. This can be in the form of a letter of authorization, signed by both parents or the legal guardian, and may need to be in English or French. Border services officers carefully check for missing or runaway children and may question any accompanying adults or the child travelling alone.
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Work permits for spouses of international students
International students in Canada can bring their spouses or common-law partners to the country, and in some cases, these spouses may be eligible for an open work permit. This open work permit allows its bearer to work for any employer in Canada and does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment. However, it may exclude certain occupations, such as jobs in schools or hospitals, unless a medical examination is provided.
To be eligible for an open work permit, the international student's spouse must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must be the spouse or common-law partner of a full-time student with a valid study permit, enrolled in either a master's degree program that is 16 months or longer or a doctoral degree program in a university or polytechnic institution. Secondly, the spouse must provide proof of their partner's enrolment in a program of study, such as a valid letter of acceptance from the institution. Additionally, the spouse must not be in the last term of their study program.
It is important to note that the open work permit for the spouse will typically be valid for the same duration as the student's study permit. The application process for the open work permit may vary depending on the spouse's situation. If the spouse is already in Canada as a visitor, they can apply for an open work permit online before their visitor status expires. However, as of December 23, 2024, applying for a work permit at the land border by flagpoling is prohibited. For spouses who are outside Canada and are citizens of countries that do not require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), they may be able to apply for an open work permit at a Canadian Port of Entry upon arrival.
In terms of fees, the application process for a work permit typically requires additional fees on top of the study permit processing fees. The Immigration Canada application fee is $255, which includes a $155 fee and a new $100 fee as of February 21, 2015. Spouses may also need to provide supporting documents, such as proof of a medical exam (if applicable) and a Marriage License/Certificate translated into English or French.
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Study permits for spouses of international students
International students in Canada can include their spouses on their application for a Canadian study permit. However, it's important to note that including a spouse in the application may impact 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 their partner's study permit.
Spouses of international students may be eligible for an open work permit, which will usually be valid for the same duration as the student's study permit. To be eligible, the student must have a valid study permit and be enrolled in a master's degree program of 16 months or longer. 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.
If the international student is applying for a study permit without their spouse, they can still submit an amended application later requesting authorisation for their spouse to join them in Canada. However, this process may be complex, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their spouse during their first year of study.
It is also possible for international students to invite their spouses to Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This enables spouses to visit Canada and stay for up to six months, but it does not grant them a temporary resident visa. The final decision regarding the approval of a visitor visa rests with the discretion of the immigration officer.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can bring their minor kids to Canada. The kids must apply for a study permit if they want to study in Canada. The study permit application can include accompanying family members. However, including family members may influence the visa officer's decision.
The validity of a minor's study permit varies based on the child's education level. For students in grades 1 to 8, the permit is valid for one year. For students in grades 9 to 12, College, or University, the permit is valid for the study period plus 90 days.
The documents required for a minor's study permit application include a letter of acceptance from the school, proof of financial support, and valid visitor status or a visitor visa/Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Yes, one of the parents can accompany their minor child to Canada. The parent will have visitor status in Canada and will not be eligible for a work permit. The duration of the parent's visitor visa will be the same as the child's study permit.
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