Lana Oconnell
Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows certain family members of international students to join them in Canada to work and/or study. This includes spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children. However, there are different rules for parents of international students, especially if the student is a minor. While parents can be invited on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), this does not grant them the right to work in Canada. Spouses of international students can apply for an open work permit, but parents cannot. Parents of minor students are generally expected to be residents of Canada or to have a guardian who is a resident in Canada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can parents of international students work in Canada? | No, unless they are a spouse or common-law partner of the student. |
| Can parents visit Canada? | Yes, they can visit for up to 6 months with a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). |
| Can parents bring dependent children? | Yes, but they must meet the requirements, such as having a parent who is authorized to work or study in Canada and not being otherwise inadmissible. |
| Can parents apply for permanent residency? | Yes, being an international student in Canada may increase eligibility for permanent residency for the student and their family. |
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What You'll Learn
- Parents of international students can only visit Canada for up to 6 months
- Parents can't work in Canada unless they have a work permit
- Spouses of international students can apply for an open work permit
- Parents can enter as temporary residents if their children are temporary residents
- Parents can enter if they can prove they can support themselves financially
Parents of international students can only visit Canada for up to 6 months
Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows certain family members of international students to join them in Canada. This includes a spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, and dependent children. These family members are allowed to work and/or study in Canada. However, this does not include parents of international students, who can only visit Canada for up to 6 months. International students can extend invitations to their parents for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This enables parents to visit their children in Canada for up to 6 months, but it does not grant them a temporary resident visa or the right to work.
Parents of minor international students are expected to be residents of their home country and to provide financial support from there. If a parent wishes to accompany their minor child to Canada, they can do so as a visitor with no work rights, for a period that matches the duration of their child's study permit. However, there is no guarantee that this arrangement can be extended beyond the initial period. It is important to note that minors on study permits are generally supported by a guardian who is a resident in Canada, rather than by a parent.
Spouses of international students have more options for joining their partner in Canada. They can apply for an open work permit, which does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This permit is usually valid for the same duration as the student's study permit. Additionally, if a spouse has been living and working in Canada while their partner studies, including them in the submission to Express Entry can increase the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
While parents of international students are not able to work in Canada, there are other ways they can be involved in their child's experience. They can visit for short periods, provide financial support from their home country, and ensure their child has the necessary support system in Canada. Additionally, the international student may be able to increase their eligibility for permanent residency for themselves and their family by studying in Canada, which can open doors to immigration programs.
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Parents can't work in Canada unless they have a 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. However, it's important to note that the definition of "family member" in this context typically refers to a spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, and dependent children. While international students can bring their parents to Canada, there are specific conditions and limitations that apply.
Parents of international students cannot work in Canada unless they have a valid work permit. The eligibility criteria for spouses of international students who can apply for an open work permit do not extend to parents. Parents of minor international students may accompany their children, but they are typically restricted to visitor status with no work rights. To work in Canada, an individual must have a job offer from an employer, and the employer must obtain an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer.
Parents who wish to remain in Canada for an extended period may need to explore alternative immigration programs or obtain employer sponsorship for an LMIA application. It is important to note that even with sponsorship, many employers are reluctant to undergo the LMIA process for part-time positions. Additionally, the duration of a parent's stay in Canada as a visitor may be limited to the validity of their child's study permit, and there is no guarantee of successful extensions based solely on the child's status as an international student.
While parents of international students may face restrictions on their ability to work in Canada, there are other ways to increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency. For example, including a spouse who has been living and working in Canada in the submission to Express Entry can increase the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and improve the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Additionally, the spouse's experience may make them eligible to submit an expression of interest to Express Entry as a principal applicant.
In summary, while Canada has provisions for family members of international students, the ability for parents to work is limited unless they obtain a valid work permit through specific processes. It is important for parents to explore alternative pathways to permanent residency or seek specialized advice from immigration specialists or organizations like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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Spouses of international students can apply for an open work permit
International students in Canada can bring their spouses or common-law partners to the country. The spouses of international students may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing 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 be excluded unless a medical examination is provided. The spousal open work permit is typically valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.
To apply for an open work permit, the spouse or common-law partner must meet specific eligibility criteria. They need to provide proof of enrolment in a valid study program and meet the requirements for the specific permit stream they are applying under. The application process involves answering questions and creating a personalized document checklist. The spouse must also pay the required fees and provide necessary documents, such as a valid passport and proof of relationship with the student visa holder.
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for spousal open work permits have recently changed. If the spouse already holds an open work permit and wishes to extend it, they must meet the eligibility criteria that were in place before March 19, 2024. Additionally, the spousal open work permit cannot be extended beyond the expiration date of the student's study permit.
While international students can invite their parents to Canada, the process for parents differs from that of spouses or common-law partners. Parents of international students can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which allows them to visit Canada for up to six months. However, this does not grant them a temporary resident visa, and they would need to meet additional requirements to work in the country.
Spouses and common-law partners of international students in Canada have the opportunity to work through the open work permit program. By meeting the eligibility criteria and completing the necessary application process, they can gain authorization to work full-time for most employers in Canada during their partner's study period.
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Parents can enter as temporary residents if their children are temporary residents
Canada has a generous immigration policy that allows certain family members of international students to come to Canada to work and/or study. Family members can include a spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, and dependent children.
If the international student is a minor, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or be on a home-stay. The parent or guardian can enter as a temporary resident with a visitor visa, but this does not grant them a temporary resident visa or the right to work. The visitor visa is usually valid for the same period as the child's study permit. To work in Canada, a person must have a job offer from an employer, and the employer must obtain an approved LMIA, which allows the person to apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer.
If the international student is not a minor, their parents can still enter Canada as temporary residents with a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This enables parents to visit Canada and stay for up to 6 months. However, this arrangement does not grant parents a temporary resident visa or the right to work.
If the parents wish to work in Canada, they must apply for a work permit. Spouses of international students are eligible for an open work permit, which does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment. This open work permit may exclude certain occupations, such as jobs in schools or hospitals, unless a medical examination is provided.
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Parents can enter if they can prove they can support themselves financially
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 a spouse, common-law/conjugal partner, and dependent children.
However, there is no provision for a parent to accompany a minor child who is an international student in Canada, except as a visitor with no work rights. This is unless the parent can prove they can support themselves financially and are not otherwise inadmissible. In this case, they may be allowed to enter as temporary residents within the visitor class.
Parents of international students in Canada on a visitor visa are not allowed to engage in any paid or unpaid work. To work in Canada, one needs a job offer from an employer, and the employer must obtain an approved LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). This allows the applicant to apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer.
If a parent of an international student in Canada wishes to work, they must apply for a work permit. To be eligible for a work permit, the parent must meet the eligibility criteria and the requested renewal duration must match that of the principal applicant's work permit.
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Frequently asked questions
Parents of international students can visit Canada and stay for up to six months with a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). However, this does not grant them permission to work in the country. Spouses of international students can apply for an open work permit, but there is no such provision for parents.
An 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. It is usually valid for the same duration as the student's study permit.
Parents of minor international students can stay in Canada for the entire duration of their child's studies, but they must renew their visitor record each year. They are not allowed to work during their stay.
Being an international student in Canada may increase eligibility for permanent residency for the student and their family. However, this does not guarantee that the parents will be able to work in the country.
