Studying in Canada: Can Your Family Come with a Study Visa?
When you apply for a study visa to study in Canada, it is important to understand the regulations surrounding accompanying family members. Let's explore the details and clarify the common misconceptions.
What Is a Study Visa?
A study visa, also known as a study permit, is a temporary immigration document that allows you to enter Canada for the sole purpose of attending an educational institution. This visa is personal in nature and is issued to the individual student. Therefore, when you apply for a study visa, it is strictly for you.
Can Your Family Join You with a Study Visa?
The answer largely depends on your definition of family. Broadly speaking, a student can apply to bring a spouse or dependent children with them to Canada under a dependent visa. However, parents, siblings, and other relatives are not included in this category. To bring these family members, you would need to apply separately and demonstrate the financial capacity to support them.
Specifically, if you are a student and you need a spouse or children to join you, you can apply for a dependent family visa. Your spouse would be eligible to apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work in any occupation they desire during their stay in Canada.
Do Parents Come with a Study Visa?
No, parents are not allowed to come to Canada with just a study permit. However, they can apply based on your study permit and show sufficient financial support. It is important to note that many people falsely believe that Canada permits this, but it is only applicable to spouses and minor children.
Spouses and Minor Children
Spouses and partners of students can apply for an open work permit, which means they can work in any job they prefer. Minor children, on the other hand, can apply for study permits to attend public schools. They are eligible for free education as long as they are enrolled in an academic course of at least one year in length.
Additional Considerations
Think of a student visa as a visitor visa with the added benefit of allowing you to study. The term "migrate" implies moving to live and remain permanently in Canada. A student or visitor visa, on the other hand, is a temporary permit for a specific purpose, with the condition that you leave Canada upon the expiry of your visa.
While a study visa is granted to individuals who have received admission to an institution, families can be included by applying for a dependent visa. In this case, you must provide evidence showing that you have the financial means to support your family. It is also possible to apply for a dependent visa separately at a later date, either from your country of origin or from within Canada.
Migration, however, is a different process and is based on the qualifications and skills of the individual.
Understanding these nuances is crucial to ensuring that your family can support you while you study in Canada. If you have any doubts, it is recommended to consult with a professional immigration advisor to navigate the process effectively.