Reunification of families is one of the largest categories of Canadian immigration. As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can bring certain family members to join you. However, you may wonder if you can immigrate with family members to Canada on a work permit.
Canada is a land of vast opportunities and a chance at a better life in a new country with many exciting experiences awaiting. However, to live comfortably, it’s very important to be able to work in Canada, thereby obtaining a Canadian work permit. If you reside temporarily in Canada as a student or worker, you may qualify to bring certain relatives.
Although most immigrants have already built a life for themselves in their home country and have a family to consider. Generally, most immigrants have been enquiring if their spouses and children can accompany them and move to Canada. The short answer is no. Your Canadian work permit application does not automatically include your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children.
However, if your family members wish to immigrate with you to Canada, they will each need to apply for their permits. You may want to explore various options to immigrate with family members to Canada on a work permit.
Listed below are various ways to immigrate with family members to Canada on a work permit.
Applying For a Canadian Open Work Permit
If you have secured a job through a Canadian employer and got approval for a work permit. That way, your spouse will qualify to apply for an open work permit. Unlike your closed work permit, an open permit is not linked to a specific job or employer.
However, this will allow your spouse to explore their options and get hired by any Canadian employer once in Canada. Based on assumptions, you’ll support your spouse and any dependent children upon arrival in Canada. Probably until they can secure a job and be financially stable.
Benefits of a Canadian Open Work Permit
Open work permits are highly sought-after for the freedom their holders derive. While most work permits are linked to a particular employer, an open permit allows a foreign national to work for any employer in Canada. You can also enjoy the freedom to move from location to location at your discretion.
Gaining Canadian work experience will help boost and improve the eligibility for Canadian permanent residency. Even with an open work permit, you cannot accept employment from the following categories of employers.
- Employers listed as ineligible for not complying with the IRCC regulations.
- Employers that regularly offer striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.
Applying for a Canadian Visitor Visa
Your spouse can also apply for a visitor visa if he/she doesn’t wish to work in Canada. Meanwhile, a visitor visa will not permit him/her to secure a job through a Canadian employer or study at any Canadian school. However, your spouse can remain in Canada for your work permit. They may also apply for an extension so long your work permit is renewed, and you continue supporting them financially. Benefits of a Canadian Visitor Visa
1. Education Short Courses
As a visitor visa holder, you can take up a short-term course that lasts up to six months.
Furthermore, these could be a language class or some professional development courses.
2. Visiting Family or Friends
If you have family members or friends living in Canada, as a visitor visa holder, you can visit them and experience the Canadian way of life directly.
3. Business Opportunities
The visitor visa also permits individuals to explore business opportunities and attend meetings, conferences, or seminars. As well as gain personal exposure to the Canadian market. Although you can not directly enter the Canadian labor market as a visitor visa holder.
4. Multiple Entries
You can make multiple entries to Canada within the validity period of your visa without needing to reapply each time. However, this will depend on the visitor visa you were issued.
5. Tourism
With this visa, foreigners can explore Canada’s immense and diverse landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to bustling multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver. As well as the historical sites of Quebec and Nova Scotia.
6. Transit
If you travel to another country through the Canadian route, this visa also allows you to transit. During the transit, you may have the chance to sightsee or visit relatives in Canada if time permits.
Applying for a Canadian Study Permit
Any child under 18 years old coming with you can apply for an open study permit. Moreover, this would grant him/her permission to attend any of Canada’s elementary and secondary schools in Canada. Without being asked to show proof of acceptance from the Canadian school before applying.
Just like the work permit, any of your family members who wish to study in any post-secondary school in Canada must obtain a study permit. Additionally, they must first apply to their program of choice and obtain a letter of acceptance from the school. After that, they may begin applying for a Canadian study permit.
Although your family members are not included on your Canadian work permit. But with this route, you can immigrate with family members to Canada on a work permit. Furthermore, you can get adequate and up-to-date information on the IRCC website. Benefits of a Canadian Study Permit
Unsurprisingly, Canada is a top study destination for international students. This is because the country offers numerous benefits, such as good education, a safe environment, and job opportunities to students and immigrants.
1. Diversity
One of the many benefits of studying in Canada is the diversity and inclusivity the country offers. Canada has over 240 ethnic groups, 70 indigenous languages, and 200 non-indigenous languages. Furthermore, you can easily blend into the environment and even meet people from your home country during your studies.
2. Affordable Tuition
Many universities don’t offer affordable or tuition-free education, especially when the quality of education is top-notch. However, this benefit exists in Canada. Most world-class Canadian universities offer tuition-free programs or scholarships to help students obtain degrees without breaking the bank. Furthermore, students can take up part-time jobs for up to 40 hours a week to support themselves financially.
3. Great Work Opportunities
Another great thing about studying in Canada is that numerous job opportunities are open for students. For instance, with a post-graduate work permit, you can live and work in Canada for years after your studies. Meanwhile, undergraduate students can also take up part-time jobs for up to 40 hours per week during their studies. Students can also apply for permanent residency after completing a one-year job appointment.
4. Great Place to Permanently Settle in or Start a Business
Compared to many countries with tough immigration policies, Canada’s policy is flexible, making it a great place to live, invest, and start a business as a student. With Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)’s modified study permit, students can now start businesses while studying in Canada. However, to permanently settle in Canada as a student, you must apply for permanent residence during or after your studies.
5. International Recognition
Canada’s standard of education is recognized across the globe. However, the degrees obtained from Canadian universities are acceptable worldwide. Therefore, Canadian diplomas and certificates are highly rated whether you want to apply to Harvard or other elite schools in the UK and the USA.
6. Safe and Peaceful Environment
If safety and security are important to you as a student, Canada is the perfect place to study. However, this is because Canada prioritizes the safety of students over other things. For instance, Canadian locals are known for their friendliness and welcoming nature.
Apply for a Canada Work Permit Visa
A Canada work permit visa is usually issued to temporary workers, business insights, undergraduates, and health caretakers. Furthermore, it’s an authorized document issued by the Canadian government that allows persons to live and work in Canada comfortably. In addition, these work permits are short-term and can be prolonged while you are inside Canada.
A work permit is another way to become a permanent resident in Canada. An LMIA is a certificate that a Canadian employer should have to be eligible to hire foreign workers. Canada work permit is issued to qualified foreign candidates to work in Canada for a specific time frame.
Benefits of Canada Work Permit Visa
Every year, many applicants obtain permits to work in Canada for a time frame. However, this is a big chance for foreigners planning to immigrate to Canada for work.
Dive in as we take you through the welfare of employed workers under work permits.
- The applicant can work in Canada under the company made known in the work permit application.
- The applicant can apply for a dependent visa to allow family members to live together in Canada.
- Furthermore, the applicant can travel from one province or state to another in Canada.
- The applicant can apply for a permanent residence visa at an advanced stage.
Types of Work Permit
There are different types of work permit visas to immigrate with family members to Canada.
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- Open Work Permit: An open work permit allows applicants to secure a job and work for any employer in Canada.
- Employer-Specific Work Permit: The employer-specific work permit allows the candidate to work only for the company specified on the permit. The company must follow up the process and hand over a copy of the LMIA or service number to be included in the work permit request form.
General Eligibility Requirements
The candidate must be able to demonstrate to the immigration officials that he would go back to his home country at the expiration of his work permit. However, the candidate applying for a work permit must ensure to have some requirements such as:
- You must demonstrate to an officer that you’ll exit Canada once your work permit expires.
- You must also have enough funds to support yourself and your family dependents financially during your stay in Canada.
- You must adhere to the laws and be free of any criminal record.
- Furthermore, you must be fit health-wise and submit a medical report.
- Additionally, you must not plan to work for an employer listed with the status ineligible on the list of employers. This list includes employers who failed to comply with certain rules and conditions.
- You must also submit any supporting documents to the officials to show that you can enter the country.
Documents Required for Work Permit Visa Application
- Legal travel certificate: international passport with six months or more validity from the scheduled entrance date in Canada.
- Recent passport-sized photograph.
- Educational certificates and proof of work experience.
- Proof of financial capital to cover the income and support yourself in Canada.
- Submission fee.
- Police verification documents.
- Lastly, medical documents.
Work Permit Extension
To extend your work permit, you must endeavor to apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your permit. Afterward, the work permit is submitted, and you can live in Canada and encounter the circumstances of the innovative work permit. Meanwhile, if the permit expires after the submission due to delay, you can stay in Canada below the status.
Furthermore, if the permit expires in less than 90 days, you can apply to extend the temporary resident permit. But you should note that you cannot work while the request is still in progress. When applying, you will also pay the fees for the renewal of status and a new work permit.