Understanding Visa Requirements for Family Accompaniment with a Working Permit in Canada

As a working permit holder in Canada, the question of whether you can bring family members with you is a common concern. The answer depends on several factors.

Eligibility for Family Sponsorship

It's important to understand that only Canadian citizens or permanent residents can sponsor their family members to enter Canada. If you fall into neither of these categories, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for a visitor visa to join you.

Options for Applying from Within Canada

There are specific scenarios where you can apply for a visitor visa while in Canada:

Having a valid study or work permit Your spouse or common-law partner has a valid study or work permit Eligibility for a post-graduation work permit and your valid study permit Your spouse or common-law partner has a temporary resident permit valid for 6 months or more Waiting on a decision for a permanent residence application for your spouse or common-law partner in the spouse and common-law partner or temporary resident permit holder class Making or claiming for refugee protection Being recognized as a Convention refugee or protected person by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Allowed to work in Canada without a work permit, but needing a work permit for a different job (excluding business visitors) Business visitors, traders, investors, intra-company transferees, or professionals under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

Bringing Family Members to Canada with a Work Permit

Working in Canada on a work permit does not automatically grant you the right to bring family members to Canada. You may be able to do so depending on the type of work permit you have and your specific situation. Family members must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Providing proof of relationship Meeting financial support requirements Passing health and security checks

At Lyon Stern, we frequently encounter these issues. Seeking independent legal advice is usually the prudent course to understand the specific requirements and options available for bringing your family to Canada.

Final Considerations

It's crucial to ensure that you have already submitted your family members with your original application. If they are not included, they will not have official leave permission from the Canadian government. It's a straightforward rule of logic, but not often followed.