How to study in Canada with your family: From Vision to Reality.
Are you considering pursuing your studies in Canada while bringing your family along to start a better life and forge a brighter future with more opportunities? this is for you!
Canada study programs, irrespective of the the type, often allows applicants to bring their dependents, such as spouses or children, allowing for a more inclusive and family-friendly educational experience. From undergraduate to postgraduate programs, and vocational courses, Canada allows you to bring your family as dependents. When applying to schools for admission purposes, you are applying for yourself only. However, for your visa application also known as study permit, you can apply for your dependents.
Determining Factors for your Visa Approval:
When applying for a study permit to Canada, these major factors are considered to assess your eligibility:
Purpose of Study that clearly outline your academic objectives and how studying in Canada will contribute to your future career or personal development.
Proof of Funds that show that you have enough financial resources to support yourself and your family during your stay in Canada. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, and healthcare coverage. If you intend to apply with your family at once, you will pay extra application fees and more funds for both yourself and any accompanying dependents. Insufficient funds is one of the commonest reasons for visa refusals.
Home Ties that demonstrate strong ties to your home country, such as family, property, employment, or financial assets. This shows that you have genuine intentions to return home after completing your studies. Many applicants use their family members as home ties, so, if you are planning to come with them, you must look for other ties to your home country such as business, investments, physical assets, real estate etc.
This factors are applicable to single applicants likewise only that applying as a family will require justifying the importance of bringing your family members with you, show extra funds and other ties to your home country.
If you are a student going for any program at all, ensure that the program is eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit. This will allow your spouse or common law partner eligible for a Spousal Open work permit. The open work permit allows them to work in Canada without a specific job offer. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a full-time post-secondary program, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate program in a Designated Learning Institute (DLI) that offers PGWP eligible programs.
If you choose a PGWP ineligible program, this will not be possible for your spouse or common law partner. Check the schools in Canada that offer PGWP eligible programs here.
Once you assess your documents, and qualify on the factors above, you can now decide to either apply together with family members or apply alone first while they join later. If you decide to apply alone first, your family can join you anytime. This will require proof of relationship to you, proof of financial support, and a letter of invitation from you.
Applying for Visas for your Child/Children:
a) Children Below Age 5: Children under the age of 5 can accompany you to Canada without requiring a visitor visa. However, it's essential to include their information when submitting your study permit application.
b) Children Above Age 5: Children above the age of 5 must apply for a visitor visa, depending on the duration of their stay and the type of program, you the parent are/ will be enrolled in.
If you need assistance in applying to or choosing affordable schools in Canada and provinces with good job prospects after study and ease of getting permanent residency in Canada, click here
Follow us on social media to get the latest scholarships and migration-related information!